Mountain Biking BC initiative underway…does your community have what it takes to be a mountain biking destination?

Communities around the province are joining the Mountain Biking BC tourism initiative. The thrust of the initiative is centered around the creation of a new website which will feature communities with authorized mountain bike trails and experiences suitable for promoting to the growing mtb tourism market. The new website will be launched in February 2011. Some of the essential elements that communities need to consider in order to participate include…

Basic requirements for community partners:

  • Authorized Trails - Signature trail experiences with appropriate land-use authorization and management framework in place (minimum 2-3 iconic trails or an established trail network to feature on the Mountain Biking BC website).
  • Visitor Ready - Tourism infrastructure with complementary services and attractions (accommodation, food & beverage, bike shop, tourist information resources).
  • Stakeholder Engagement - Coordinated group of stakeholders willing to work with industry to develop and maintain local mountain biking experiences.
  • Online Content Provisioning - Designated local group or individual for updating community online information.
  • Partnership Funding - Funding source for the mountain bike tourism initiative’s community partnership fee. Basic partnership includes a dedicated community page on new mtb tourism website with location map, images and video gallery, featured trails, news, events and services directory.

Basic requirements for featured trails:

  • Management - Regular maintenance and monitoring by local trail group and/or land management staff.
  • Permission - Featured trails must be authorized and have the appropriate land manager’s permision to be promoted as a tourism experience.
  • Signage - Easily recognized trail head with frequent way finding markers especially at trail intersections/branches.
  • Map - Trail maps should be based on accurate GIS data and in pdf format for easy download. Note: If trail maps are a source of funding for local trail maintenance, how and where maps can be purchased can be identify.

For more information please see the Partnership Prospectus.