Jun 1, 2023 | Uncategorized
The Western Canada Mountain Biking Tourism Association is pleased to welcome aboard two new staff members, Aviva Fialkow - Manager, Advocacy and Community Relations and Grant Lamont - Project Leader, Trail Stewardship Enhancement Project. In line with feedback received from mountain biking clubs across the province in our 2022 survey, these new roles will increase the MBTA’s ability to: Assist clubs of all sizes by providing best practices and information. Strengthen relations with the Province of BC and Indigenous governments. Forge relationships with outdoor recreation advocacy bodies; and Build capacity to support mountain biking clubs with common challenges - from insurance and land use agreements to trail applications and funding opportunities. Since 2006, the MBTA has worked to establish mountain biking as a safe and sustainable tourism experience in Western Canada through collaborating with businesses, bike clubs, resorts, and government agencies. With the explosive growth of biking in British Columbia and rising trail maintenance demands, we recognize the need to shift our focus from tourism promotion to enabling continued excellence from grassroots mountain biking groups. Volunteers within these organizations work tirelessly to offer fun and enjoyable adventures that enrich the health, wellbeing and economic sustainability of communities across the province. With this in mind, we encourage clubs to submit feedback on key advocacy priorities for British Columbia’s mountain biking sector. Stay tuned for the release of a survey in the near future! Grant Lamont - Project Leader, Trail Stewardship Enhancement Project In collaboration with community trail organizations and land managers in BC, including Recreation Sites and Trails BC (RSTBC), Grant will oversee the implementation of trail signage and data...
Nov 3, 2021 | Industry, MBTA Initiatives, Partners, Trends, Uncategorized
For anyone that missed the State of the MTB Sector Webinar on November 3rd, you can view the Zoom video recording here. The MBTA would like to thank all the presenters for their excellent presentations. Crankworx Events Darren Kinnaird darren@crankworx.com Whistler Mountain Bike Park Wendy Robinson Wrobinson@vailresorts.com IMBA Canada Justin Darbyshire justin@imbacanada.com Indigenous Youth Mountain Bike Program Patrick Lucas plucas.catalyst@gmail.com Colour the Trails Judy Kasiama judith.kasiama@gmail.com Kootenay Adaptive Sports Association Mike Riediger riedigerm@gmail.com Revelstoke Cycling Association Meghan Tabor meghan.tabor@seerevelstoke.com If you have any follow-up questions about the information presented, please contact the presenter directly or Martin Littlejohn at martin@mbta.ca. If you enjoyed this webinar and would like to see other topics in the future, please take a moment to fill out our webinar topic survey. ...
Mar 23, 2020 | Industry, Partners, Uncategorized
With so much information about the COVID-19 crisis, it can be very confusing. Most if not all businesses in the tourism industry are feeling the impacts from the unprecedented quarantine measures imposed by governments around the world to deal with the crisis. How businesses will recover is anyone’s guess, but aid and stimulus packages are being announced at both the provincial and federal levels. Here are a few useful links for businesses looking for help as well as support for staff whose jobs may be affected. Federal programs and updates: Help for businesses Help for individuals Provincial programs and updates: BC Government Support and Information BC Centre for Disease Control Updates All BC tourism industry stakeholders should also refer to the latest updates from the Tourism Industry Association of BC (TIABC) and Destination BC. TIABC COVID-19 Updates Destination BC’s COVID 19 Updates Health authorities have been clear to avoid all non-essential travel and to practice social distancing and elevated personal hygiene when in the presence of other people. This message should be applied consistently by all members of the tourism industry. Businesses can refer their customers to the following link Hello BC - What You Need to Know If we all work together, we will get through this and demonstrate the resilience of the tourism...
May 12, 2019 | Industry, Trends, Uncategorized
Electric bikes (e-bikes) have become increasingly popular in recent years as an alternative form of transportation and a new recreation activity. Recognizing this as an emerging use of Crown land, Recreation Sites and Trails BC has created a policy to clarify e-bike use on established recreation trails. The policy acknowledges e-biking as an allowable activity on Crown land where permitted, and supports Recreation Sites and Trails BC to work with Partnership Agreement holders, communities and other stakeholders to fairly and consistently evaluate e-bike activity relative to current trail uses and use restrictions. The policy only applies to established trails managed by Recreation Sites and Trails BC and does not apply to trails managed by BC Parks or vacant provincial public land, local government or trails on private land. Click here to view the...
May 6, 2019 | Industry, Partners, Uncategorized
The Outdoor Recreation Council of BC has released a publication for recreation groups that wish to work cooperatively with Indigenous communities in BC. Authored by Patrick Lucas, founder of the Aboriginal Youth Mountain Bike Program, the guide offers insights into building healthy relationships through mutual understanding. View the...
Apr 26, 2019 | Industry, MBTA Initiatives, Partners, Uncategorized
Notice of an Annual General Meeting for Western Canada Mountain Bike Tourism Association (MBTA) Tuesday, June 18th, 2019 at 11am PST - via conference call Call in details will be provided to members and partners one week prior to the AGM The AGM is being held for the following purposes: To receive the report of the directors and the accounts for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2019 To re-elect board members who under the bylaws of the association and, being eligible, are offering themselves for re-election as directors To elect new directors to the association who wish to be nominated – nomination form – nominees must be current partners/members or may also be recognized stakeholders in the mountain biking sector To consider and, if thought fit, pass any resolutions which may be proposed as a special resolution – special resolutions will be advised in advance of the AGM A reminder including the agenda, board vacancies, and further details will be sent to all members approximately one week prior to the meeting date. For more information, please contact Martin Littlejohn at...
