This sounds like boring news but should have a positive effect on all aspects of cycling. If the Government want 2 million more people active by 2012 I might finally get funding for my local pump track…woohoo (though I don’t want 2 million people turning up on a Saturday afternoon, unless of course they phone first.)

PRESS RELEASE

CTC & IMBA National Mountain Bike Conference at Cycle 2008

Are you on the right track to developing and providing excellent facilities for off-road cyclists? Whether you are catering for family cyclists or mountain bike enthusiasts, the CTC & IMBA-UK conference at Earls Court is for you.

The Government wants to get 2 million more people active by 2012 and CTC & IMBA-UK believe mountain biking could deliver those numbers if there is a clear progression for riders of all backgrounds and abilities from the bike shop to the trail. This conference is our launch pad – a chance for the sector to come together and set the agenda for the years to come.

CTC – the national cyclists’ organisation and IMBA-UK are bringing together key speakers from across the world for this major mountain bike conference. It will take place on Thursday 9th October at the Cromwell Suite in Earls Court, during the trade day of Cycle 2008.

Speakers include:

Mike Van Abel

Executive Director of IMBA. Mike is based in Colorado and brings the latest news from the mountain bike scene in the USA.

Kevin Mayne

Director of CTC – the UK’s national cyclists’ organisation. Kevin represents the largest cycling body in the UK.

John Ireland

Visitor Safety Officer at the Forestry Commission. John works to develop and deliver the Forestry Commission’s latest guidance on mountain biking.

Mike Nelson

Founder of Cascade Environmental. Mike is working on a range of ground breaking mountain bike projects including the ‘Sea to Sky Corridor’ in Canada.

Duncan Mackay

Policy Specialist at Natural England. Duncan is Natural England’s countryside access and recreation expert.

Karl Bartlett

Chairman of IMBA-UK. Karl has been instrumental in the development of mountain biking across Scotland.

Julie Cartner

Former member of the development team at 7stanes. Julie has recently spent time looking at MTB trails in Australia.

Dafydd Davis MBE

Dafydd has a huge amount of trail development and management experience from around the world.

Chris Ford

Managing Director of CycleActive. Chris is an experienced mountain bike instructor and has worked on the development of many cycle instruction programmes.

Ian Warby

Senior Off-Road Development Officer at CTC. Ian worked with the Redbridge Cycling Centre to create Hog Hill one of the newest mountain bike facilities in the UK.

Vince Bartlett

Planning Manager of the London Development Agency. Vince was key in the relocation of the Eastway Cycling Circuit to the Redbridge Cycling Centre.

The conference programme has been specifically designed for those who are passionate about off-road cycling including: trail builders, project managers, sports development officers, funders, landowners, AONB and National Park staff, and all those involved in managing or developing off-road cycling in the UK.

The demand for off-road cycling has grown dramatically in recent years and this conference will provide a great opportunity to hear about the lessons learnt from those running successful facilities across the globe. The focus will also be on training, education, facility development and funding.

Ian Warby CTC’s Senior Off-road Development Officer said “This is a fantastic opportunity for everyone who’s interested in mountain biking to look to the future, build on recent success and maximise the opportunity to get more people out on their local trails”.

Karl Bartlett, Chairman IMBA-UK, said: “IMBA UK is pleased to be sharing this joint conference with CTC. Taking place at Cycle 2008, IMBA’s message of advocacy for mountain bikers will reach more riders in the UK than ever before. This is a great opportunity for mountain bikers to come together, share their enthusiasm and experience, and continue improving mountain biking opportunities and participation for the future”.

The conference will be part of Cycle 2008 at Earls Court, the UK’s largest trade and consumer bike show.

CTC & IMBA National Mountain Bike Conference at Cycle 2008