Ottawa-Outaouais Mountain Biking Trail Access:
OMBA, IMBA Canada and YOU! - The time has come

The Setting
Ottawa is our home and we love riding here. We have a range of trails, from rugged rocky trails on exposed Canadian Shield that provide technically challenging riding to twisty tight single track through dense forest to flowing single track through pastures. And we have a problem.

The Problem
We don't have sanctioned access to much of what we ride and much of what we would like to ride has been closed to mountain bikes.

Why the Problem?
Trail closures are usually based on trail systems that are not sustainable. This comes in many forms: Trails that are not designed to avoid environmentally sensitive areas. Trails that are not designed to handle a variety of users and activities. Trails that are not well built and maintained to protect the ecosystem.

The Future we want
Secured trail access to sustainable trails systems for mountain bikes in the Ottawa-Outaouais area.

The Solution

- Unify the local mountain biking community so we have a common voice.
- Speak up and educate - Help people to understand the situation in Ottawa.
- Speak up and advocate - Make trails a political issue; Enter into dialog with politicians and land managers.
- Respect the Trails - Encourage riders to follow IMBA guidelines with respect to riding and trail cutting and maintenance.
- Maintain our trails to the best of our ability.
- Ride.

Why OMBA?

- OMBA provides an organization to unify local mountain bikers.
- Shared resources facilitate advocacy efforts and help share the work.
- Local land managers want to deal with a single entity that represents local mountain bikers.

Why IMBA?
- IMBA is all about trail access. That is why it formed in the first place. It now has a long history of experience.
- IMBA has experience in all phases of the trail access process.
- The NCC recognizes IMBA as being able to provide the right kind of guidance for creating sustainable trails.

- As on IMBA affiliated club, OMBA gets the benefit of IMBA's experience.

The Reality
Trail access is being granted to mountain bikers all over the world - usually after a lot of work on the part of the mountain biking community.

What can you do?

- Join OMBA and supportlocal efforts. (ottawamba.org)
- Join IMBA Canada and support national efforts.
- Buy a Camp Fortune season pass (XC or DH).
- Follow IMBA Rules of the Trail.