Indiana launches State Moutain Bike Organization

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, December 21 — Mountain Bike Indiana (MBI) is excited to announce our formal organization and federal recognition with the receipt of a Federal EIN. Our mission as a statewide organization is to improve and increase trail access for mountain biking throughout Indiana by providing a support system for local trails and a unified statewide voice for those organizations and individuals.

While there are many effective local & regional organizations, Indiana has a need for a better way to support local trail communities and coordinate mountain bike advocacy efforts from all around the state. Part of that is a focus on sharing expertise, best practices and action alerts in order to promote natural grassroots growth. “The interactions we’ve had from around the state have been extremely positive,” according to Matt Hendey, Acting Information Secretary. “They’ve helped identify many gaps and challenges in Indiana mountain bike advocacy that we aim to fill.”

MBI’s goals include:

• Engage proactively with State, Regional and Federal land managers and elected officials on behalf of mountain bikers
• Track legislation and planning efforts that affect the sport
• Facilitate the sharing of best practices among, and help coordinate efforts between member organizations
• Educate land managers and the public about mountain biking;
• Promote increased diversity in the mountain biking community
• Pursue these goals with an underlying commitment to volunteerism, stewardship, sustainability, equity and healthy lifestyle choices.

The all-volunteer founding board of directors have brought the organization to this point all while directing other non-profit organizations, working their jobs, and dealing with life and family. They have diligently carved out time each week to meet, plan, and deliver MBI.

“It’s taken quite a commitment,” said acting board member Steve Surette. “But if we didn’t step up, who else was going to speak for Indiana mountain bikers at the State level?” MBI is now ready to expand their board of directors to broaden the range of available expertise, and to be more representative of their communities. The other most vital need will be fundraising, with several donor and sponsorship opportunities available.

The organization’s membership model is based on local trail groups, where individual users are empowered to maintain the trail they ride and given financial support for upkeep and repairs. MBI’s committee structures, and foundational programs are being developed with feedback from participating organizations and legal counsel. All Indiana mountain biking and trail advocates, prospective board members or sponsors are invited to an upcoming Trail Summit, to be announced shortly.

Mountain Bike Indiana is a pending 501(c)3 non-profit. Our mission is to provide our members and the general public with opportunities for stewardship and recreation in Indiana’s open spaces through education, planning, funding and establishing and maintaining multi-use trails throughout the state. We endorse responsible, environmentally sensible trail use and the creation of community recreation trail networks for the health and benefit of local citizens and visitors. 

Our Federal Nonprofit EIN is 83-4013469. For more information visit mtbindiana.org or follow us on social media Facebook: @mountainbikeindiana and Instagram: @Mtbindiana