Mountain bike advocacy organizations play a vital role in preserving, maintaining, and expanding access to trails. By donating time or money, riders directly support the infrastructure that allows the sport to thrive. Trails don’t appear or sustain themselves magically; they require countless hours of planning, negotiation, construction, and maintenance—much of which is done by advocacy groups on tight budgets and with limited resources. Supporting these organizations ensures that mountain biking remains accessible not just for us today, but for future generations.

Volunteering time—whether on trail days, at events, or in organizational roles—helps build strong, engaged communities. These shared experiences reinforce the connection between rider and trail, turning anonymous paths into meaningful places of stewardship. Volunteers also become the voice of the riding community in their region, helping to shape policies and decisions that affect land use. Without engaged individuals, advocacy organizations lose their greatest strength: the ability to represent the needs and interests of the riders who depend on them.

Financial donations are equally important, especially in an era of increasing pressure on public lands. With limited public funding for recreation infrastructure, many trails would not exist without private donations. Your contribution can help hire professional builders, purchase tools and materials, or fund the legal and environmental work necessary to get new trail systems approved. Every dollar makes it easier for these groups to carry out the technical and logistical tasks most riders never see but benefit from deeply.

Mountain biking is still considered a niche activity in many areas, and land managers or policymakers may not prioritize it without consistent, organized advocacy. When you support advocacy groups, you give them the strength to show up at meetings, work with city planners, and collaborate with other user groups. This work often determines whether mountain biking is embraced as a legitimate use of public land or sidelined in favor of more traditional recreation.

In many regions, trail access is under threat—either due to environmental concerns, user conflicts, or development pressures. Advocacy organizations are the first line of defense when trails are at risk of closure. They provide critical legal and political backing, educating stakeholders and negotiating compromises. Donating to these organizations helps them stay ready and resilient, so they can protect the places you love to ride when challenges inevitably arise.

Additionally, these organizations often play a role in making mountain biking more inclusive and equitable. By funding youth programs, adaptive riding initiatives, or outreach to underrepresented communities, they help shape a future where more people feel welcome on the trails. Your time or money can directly contribute to expanding the sport in ways that foster diversity, respect, and a deeper sense of shared responsibility.

Giving back also nurtures a personal sense of gratitude and accountability. Mountain biking is a privilege made possible by those who came before and those who keep it alive today. When riders contribute to advocacy, they become part of something bigger than just their own rides—they become caretakers of the culture and ecosystems that make mountain biking possible.

In short, supporting a mountain bike advocacy organization is one of the most impactful things you can do as a rider. Whether you show up with a shovel, donate a few dollars, or help organize a fundraiser, your actions ensure that trails continue to exist, evolve, and inspire. Riding gives us joy and freedom—but giving back ensures that joy and freedom are sustained for all.

Here’s a comprehensive list of major mountain bike advocacy groups in Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia, organized by region. These organizations protect trail access, build new singletrack, maintain existing networks, and foster inclusive and sustainable MTB communities.

🟩 OREGON
1. Oregon Mountain Biking Coalition (OMBC) — Statewide
• A unified voice for MTB advocacy across Oregon; connects regional organizations and works on state-level policy.
• 🔗 rideoregon.org
2. Northwest Trail Alliance (NWTA) — Portland, Columbia River Gorge, Tillamook
• Builds and maintains trails, organizes dig days, and advocates for greater trail access in urban and forest regions.
• 🔗 nw-trail.org
3. Central Oregon Trail Alliance (COTA) — Bend, Sisters, Redmond
• Manages over 500 miles of trail and partners with the Forest Service and BLM for long-term trail stewardship.
• 🔗 cotamtb.com
4. Team Dirt — Corvallis / Willamette Valley
• Focuses on local trail access and construction, especially in the McDonald-Dunn Forest and other public lands.
• 🔗 teamdirt.org
5. GOATS (Greater Oakridge Area Trail Stewards) — Oakridge / Westfir
• Maintains legendary backcountry trails and supports local MTB tourism and trail sustainability.
• 🔗 oakridgegoats.org
6. RVMBA (Rogue Valley Mountain Bike Association) — Medford / Ashland / Grants Pass
• Supports trail access and community building in Southern Oregon’s trail-rich regions.
• 🔗 rvmba.org
7. Hood River Area Trail Stewards (HRATS) — Hood River / Post Canyon
• Builds, maintains, and advocates for trails in the Hood River Valley, including Post Canyon and Golden Eagle Park; known for strong community engagement and youth programs.
• 🔗 hrats.org
8. Black Rock Mountain Bike Association (BRMBA) — Falls City / Black Rock
• Dedicated to building and maintaining freeride and downhill trails at the Black Rock trail system, known for technical features and progressive riding.
• 🔗 brmba.org

⸻

🟦 WASHINGTON
1. Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance — Statewide
• Washington’s largest MTB nonprofit with 8 regional chapters. Oversees massive volunteer programs and major trail builds.
• 🔗 evergreenmtb.org
Chapters:
• Cascades to Sound (Seattle area)
• East Chapter (Spokane, Tri-Cities)
• Southwest (Vancouver, WA)
• West Sound (Kitsap Peninsula)
• Methow Valley Chapter
• Kittitas Chapter
• Northwest Chapter (Skagit, Island, San Juan Counties)
2. Whatcom Mountain Bike Coalition (WMBC) — Bellingham / Galbraith Mountain
• Manages Galbraith and other local trails, with youth programs, progressive trail design, and strong land partnerships.
• 🔗 wmbcmtb.org
3. Central Washington MTB Alliance (CWMA) — Wenatchee / Leavenworth
• Advocates for trail access and expansion in central mountain corridors.
• 🔗 facebook.com/CentralWashingtonMTBAlliance

⸻

🟥 BRITISH COLUMBIA (BC)
1. IMBA Canada / BC Region
• While not a direct trail builder, IMBA Canada supports advocacy groups and provincial trail policy reform.
• 🔗 imbacanada.com
2. NSMBA (North Shore Mountain Bike Association) — North Vancouver
• Stewards the world-famous North Shore trails with a deep emphasis on sustainable trail building and community outreach.
• 🔗 nsmba.ca
3. SORCA (Squamish Off-Road Cycling Association) — Squamish
• A leading voice in mountain biking in BC, handling trail maintenance, advocacy, and community events.
• 🔗 sorca.ca
4. WORCA (Whistler Off-Road Cycling Association) — Whistler
• Oversees hundreds of miles of trail, from Valley trails to alpine access. Works closely with land managers and First Nations.
• 🔗 worca.com
5. FVMBA (Fraser Valley Mountain Bikers Association) — Mission, Chilliwack, Abbotsford
• Maintains Vedder Mountain, Bear Mountain, and more. Focused on legal trail access, maintenance, and advocacy.
• 🔗 fvmba.com
6. Kootenay Columbia Trail Alliance (KCTS) — Rossland / Kootenay region
• Supports trail infrastructure in southeast BC and promotes mountain biking tourism and environmental stewardship.
• 🔗 rosslandtrails.ca

Categories: Advocacy, bikepacking, Enduro Mountain Bike, mountain bike, Opinion