2025 HMBA Chapter Structure
As the Hoosier Mountain Bike Association (HMBA) moves into its third decade, we are changing our structure to adapt to Indiana’s current mountain biking environment. This is only fitting given that HMBA initial formation was a response to Indiana’s mountain biking environment in 2004.
Local mountain bike advocacy groups have always been an essential prerequisite for trails here in Indiana. Despite our persistence, however, the mid-90s into the early 2000s witnessed a steady decline in mileage statewide as trails were lost to developers and access was revoked by parks. By and large, state and local officials did not understand this relatively new sport and were reluctant or outright unwilling to entertain requests for access to build trail. Various mountain bike groups remained undiscouraged, and ultimately the DNR was willing to discuss, with the caveat that they would only work with a single advocacy group. Given DNR’s headquarters in the capitol, several groups in Indy coalesced and became HMBA in order to represent mountain bikers as a whole. In 2004, DNR granted HMBA access to build trails in 2 state parks: Brown County and Versailles. In each locale, a respected local advocate was named the HMBA representative. These reps put the call out to their fellow local riders and organized build sessions. Soon, rhinos were swinging and dirt was being moved.
At about this time, Mitch Daniels was elected Governor and his administration immediately set to work on a statewide trails plan, Hoosiers on the Move, which set a goal of having a trail within 7.5 miles or 15 minutes of every Hoosier citizen by the year 2016. As a result, significant state and federal grants were available to all trail building organizations, but applications were limited to not-for-profit groups. The newly formed HMBA therefore prioritized completing the steps necessary to establish itself as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. In 2005, HMBA was awarded a Recreational Trail Program grant of $150,000 and raised funds for a 20% match. Momentum picked up in the subsequent years as more grants were awarded, and trail mileage grew in Brown County, Versailles, O’Bannon Woods, Harmonie, Indianapolis, and other locations where HMBA leant our expertise.
In location after location, local trail groups have proven that they have always been at the core of our trails here in Indiana. All they needed was an opportunity to demonstrate their ability and commitment. The formation of HMBA provided this opportunity. HMBA was the channel through which mountain bikers met the DNR’s initial condition of working with a single group. Mountain bike advocates united when the need arose, and the DNR, state, and local officials now recognize not only that local mountain bike groups are dedicated to and capable of the ongoing tasks associated with the trails, but that the trails we build are a net positive for the community itself. HMBA also provided a roadmap for organizing and procuring 501(c)(3) status. In 2016, Southeast Indiana Mountain Bike Association (SIMBA) became its own 501(c)(3) to oversee the trails in Versailles State Park, in 2023, Brown County Mountain Biking became its own 501(c)(3) to oversee Brown County State Park, Yellowwood Forest, and Nebo Ridge. This is both the success of HMBA fostering growth throughout our great state as well this is the natural progression given the willingness of those most invested in their community—local governments, local mountain bike advocacy groups, park DNR staff—to work together to maintain and expand trail networks in their parks and public properties.
State and local policy makers now recognize the skill and capability of local mountain bike groups. The HMBA team will continue being a trusted ambassador for our local chapters and help those that need or request our expertise. However, HMBA will be relying on the local chapters to speak as a representatives for their trail community. This does not mean that the HMBA is dissolving, but it does mean that, moving forward, HMBA will be helping these local chapters to continue their growth. Use of HMBA name will connote broader, collaborative advocacy involving its multiple chapters. This is important for mountain bikers to keep in mind, because going into 2025, there are many strong, successful, local mountain bike organizations across the state. While all of us are working toward the same goal of maintaining and expanding Indiana’s trail network, we are all independent yet remain bonded in our pursuit for more access, better trails and more trail mileage.
Donations and membership dues paid to HMBA are distributed to the correct chapters for supporting their specific trails. When signing up or renewing your membership please make sure you are selecting the correct trail network in the dropdown menu, this tells us where you want your membership dues to be applied too.
More information can be found on the HMBA’s website and Facebook page, and additional announcements will be coming in the weeks ahead. Thank you for being a part of this ride!