Connected by Trails : Linking People, Nature and Prosperity in Rural Areas
How Mountain biking can support rural development through a systemic approach
At the 2024 IMBA Europe Summit, we discovered how mountain biking can contribute to peri-urban development, and what challenges mountain bikers face at the borders of towns. This year, once again we leave the towns and embark on a very different journey.
Our 2025 hosts, the town of Boltana and the MTB Kingdoms have a special success story. It is a story of resilience in the face of adversity in the Spanish Pyrenees, a region that battled against oblivion in the 20th century. Mountain biking has not only contributed to the transformation of the area into a unique riding destination, but it also spearheaded a movement to save a unique cultural heritage, a way of living that’s being revitalised – in no small part thanks to mountain biking.
Under the theme “Connected by Trails”, we will explore how mountain biking can support rural development through a systemic approach.
This year’s summit will focus on the intersection of sustainability—environmental, social, and economic—and the cultural dimension of our sport. Trail advocates, representatives of tourism operators and boards, industry professionals, researchers, and leaders from the mountain biking community will present, and panel discussions and workshops will be held. We hope that the summit will provide an excellent opportunity for everyone in our community to discuss another advocacy-driven dimension of our sport.
Is this conference for me?
Who can you expect at this conference? From mountain bike advocacy groups, trail builders and professionals in the bicycle and tourism industry, to land managers, academics, public authorities (cities & regions), and guides and instructors. More and more professionals are working in the emerging domain of mountain biking and the need to learn from each other, exchange knowledge, to get inspired and build partnerships has only increased.