Nick Bennette is the Executive Director of the Vermont Mountain Bike Association, a position he's held for a little over two years. The group recently put together a 5-year Strategic Plan to "ensure the sustainability of mountain biking in Vermont and thoughtfully promote exceptional riding experiences for all through advocacy, education, and community-driven stewardship."

• How did your experience as a consultant help you craft the VMBA 5-year Strategic Plan?  
• Vermont was an early adopter of a state advocacy model apart from IMBA. How has the VMBA Chapter model evolved since it was first launched?
• How does Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion fit with trail advocacy? Aside from being the right thing to do, how does it benefit the MTB community?
• Is e-bike access a hot topic in Vermont? Do you think it's been framed properly in the past?
• How did VMBA get to 10,000 dues paying members?
• Is advocating for trails easier today than it has been in the past?
• Are there additional considerations involved when public trails are located on private property?
• Is relying on volunteers to help build and maintain trails viable in a state like Vermont where so many trail users live out of state?
• What's so great about mountain biking on the east coast of the US? Why is there a perception that the trails are better out west?

Learn more about the Vermont Mountain Bike Association at vmba.org and view their strategic plan here. Photo credit: Mark Clement.

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