Press Release: VMBA
At nearly 10,000 members, Vermont Mountain Bike Association (VMBA) is the largest statewide mountain bike advocacy organization in the country, despite Vermont having the second smallest population. The Green Mountain State has become a riding destination for mountain biking and other outdoor enthusiasts, and for a good reason. With over 1000 miles of public-access singletrack, riders can find anything from roots and rock rolls to smooth, flowy jump trails. And Vermont’s trail systems are characteristically nestled in and near the charming villages the state is known for, making riding much closer to incredible food, fun, and places to stay.
VMBA has been leading the charge for mountain bike advocacy for Vermont since 1997 and recently published a new 5-year Strategic Plan, which you can find on its website. Within that plan, VMBA identified seven major goals for the years ahead, including 1) establishing an informed ridership that knows where, when, and how to ride and 2) counting a majority of those who regularly use Vermont’s trails as active VMBA members. In developing the plan, the team at VMBA identified the development of a Mobile App as critical in achieving both these goals.
VMBA has long offered members a suite of Member Benefits built out of partnerships with local businesses willing to offer deals and discounts to encourage organizational participation. That program has grown into a flagship for VMBA, with over 110 businesses offering more than 170 discrete benefits. Previously paper-based, the new App will provide members instant access to these benefits on their mobile devices, including complimentary lift tickets at several all-season resorts. The Mobile App will also allow members to renew and manage their membership, support additional Chapters, keep tabs on events, and check nearby trail conditions before heading out to the trails.
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“The VMBA Mobile App is a huge step for VMBA and one that we hope will encourage many more Vermonters to become members and support the community-driven stewardship that has made trail riding in Vermont what it is today. It also symbolizes the close partnerships we have with so many local businesses who believe in our work and the value it brings to Vermont.” – Nick Bennette, VMBA Executive Director. |
VMBA worked closely with two Vermont-based companies, Bluehouse Group, and Driven Studios, designing and developing the App, now available for Android and iPhone. The Mobile App will be a first of its kind for a mountain bike trail advocacy non-profit – allowing members to easily support the trails and continue to make Vermont one of the best places to ride. The team already has plans for future features through the Mobile App, including trail conditions, upcoming events, and planning your visit to Vermont. For more information on the VMBA App, visit their website .
About VMBA
Through a family of 29 unified Chapters, the Association carries out its mission to ensure the sustainability of mountain biking in Vermont and thoughtfully promote exceptional riding experiences for all through advocacy, education, and community-driven stewardship. VMBA is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. The Chapter model and approach to state-level advocacy is a uniquely effective combination that meaningfully links the perspectives of individual riders to the Association’s work with state leadership. With nearly 10,000 members, VMBA is a cornerstone of Vermont’s outdoor community, advocating for public land access, private landowner protections, modernized policy, and sustainably constructed trails.