In 2025, IMBA Europe and its network of national organisations, partners, and trail professionals continued to strengthen the foundations of sustainable trail development across Europe. From research and education to standards, events, and community building, the year highlighted how trails connect people—not only to riding experiences, but also to nature, local economies, and each other.
A key insight came from the Single Track Mind report (written by Rupert Barry), supported by the Take Care of Your Trails – Protect and Preserve Award. The study explored how mountain bikers’ relationships with their local trails influence their attitudes toward environmental protection and restoration. Its findings underline a clear message: when riders feel connected to a place, they are more likely to care for it. The report calls on trail organisations, land managers, and communicators to adopt relationship-centred storytelling—using lived experiences and emotional connections to encourage long-term environmental stewardship.
At the same time, significant progress was made in professionalising trail building across Europe through DIRTT 2.0 (Developing Interdisciplinary Resources for Trailbuilding Training). The project delivered a Europe-wide certification system that recognises and formalises trail builder competencies, with sustainability and inclusion embedded at its core. Central to this work is the DIRTT Competence Framework, which defines trail building skills across EQF levels 3–6, establishing a shared benchmark for future teaching, training, and certification initiatives.
Building on this, the DIRTT 2.0 Sustainability & Inclusion Report took a critical look at where the sector stands today. It identified gaps in access, representation, and practice, while offering practical recommendations for trail builders, land managers, and project owners. The report provides clear guidance on how to create trails that are not only environmentally sound, but also socially fair and welcoming to a broader range of users.
Looking ahead, the DIRTT 3.0 project, launching in 2026, will further expand access to high-quality trail education. Through a vocational school network supported by Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) models, the project will enable more learners across Europe to access quality-assured trail building training—regardless of geography.
Trail quality and consistency were also strengthened through the continued expansion of the International Trail Rating System (ITRS). In 2025, the Level 3 Certified Trail Rater (CTR) training brought together experienced professionals from Switzerland, Spain, Czech Republic, the United States, and Canada—marking the first time North American participants joined the CTR ranks. With a growing global community, ITRS continues to establish itself as the go-to standard for trail difficulty rating worldwide.
Equally important were the opportunities for exchange and collaboration across the IMBA Europe network.
The IMBA Italia Gathering focused on cycling tourism on natural trails as a catalyst for local economic development, combining institutional perspectives with technical expertise and real-world case studies. The Trail Summit Switzerland explored how strategic planning translates into impactful trail projects, addressing emerging trends in mountain biking and cooperative trail construction through workshops, panels, and site visits on the Aletsch Plateau. Meanwhile, the DIMB Trail Builder Days in Germany once again provided a vital platform for networking and professional exchange among trail builders, commercial partners, and MTB clubs.
Together, these initiatives demonstrate the strength of IMBA Europe’s collaborative approach. By combining research, education, standards, and community-led events, the network continues to build resilient trail systems that benefit nature, support local communities, and secure a sustainable future for mountain biking across Europe.