In its 5th year running since its inauguration in 2017, we are pleased to announce the dates of IMBA Europe's annual ‘Take Care of Your Trails’ (TCoYT) campaign for 2021. The one month long campaign starting on May 1st, is the largest pan-European voluntary trail repair, clean-up and build effort. CIE supports the work of IMBA Europe because the mountain bike sector is a really important business segment for our industries. During the coronavirus pandemic many companies have seen unprecedented growth in mountain bike and e-MTB sales, but there has been a lot of local pressure on the trails where new riders are trying out their bikes. IMBA’s Take Care of Your Trails campaign is a great way for companies to support mountain biking and to support local volunteers that are working to make local mountain biking sustainable. TCoYT has grown into a community movement of passionate and dedicated trail crews contributing countless volunteer hours to preserve their local trails and natural environment. The 2020 ‘Covid’ edition of TCoYT resulted in 74 trail maintenance, building and clean-up events across 15 European countries. More than 750 volunteers contributed 6520 hours of trail work to keep their local trails in shape and make them litter free. A great result given the circumstances and extra precautions that many local groups had to take to make their events safe and corona proof.
Since the campaign first started in 2017, we have seen increased participation across the board, with all members of the trail community getting involved. Not only the local trail builders, but whole families and friends of the wider community. The year of 2020 saw an increase in participation in the mountain biking sector, and as a direct result, increased trail usage, particularly on a regional level due to travel restrictions. Therefore, the 2021 campaign is more important than ever in educating the community about the campaign, and encouraging all appreciators of the outdoors to lend a hand and give back to the trails. From picking up trash on your local trails, to lending a hand on a ‘dig day’, all these actions help to maintain and secure the sustainability and future of mountain biking in our communities. Companies can be part of TCOYT by supporting local trail crews, or registering your own voluntary effort by your staff, customers or even your sponsored riders giving something to their communities.
Given the differing situations across Europe with regards to Covid restrictions, we will not be encouraging large scale events, and therefore, this year the focus will be rather on keeping it local within your community, and ‘taking individual action’. Every year, outstanding members of the trail building community are recognised and rewarded for their efforts. In 2021, we will be introducing three new categories within the ‘Outstanding Local Trail Crew’ category which will allow every crew and individual an opportunity to get involved, and take action! Within the ‘Outstanding Local Trail Crew’ category, we are pleased to announce three subcategories:
1) The Most Innovative Project
2) Most Inclusive Project
3) The Best Conservation Effort
Make sure to head over to the TCoYT website to register your individual or group ‘action’ for the month of May. Try to get creative and innovative in how you design your ‘action’, whether that be just with your immediate family, contact bubble or a few members of your trail crew. Are you a newcomer and want to learn more about the campaign, as well as hear from the best storytellers in the trail building community? Then join our webinar on April 19th at 8pm CEST, which will highlight how to start your campaign, and the tips and tricks to a successful TCoYT campaign.
***We will be strongly urging participants in the 2021 campaign to remain up to date with your countries current covid-19 measurements and regulations, as you begin to plan your ‘action’. Ensuring that at all times, you keep yourself and your community safe.
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