Rotorua Achieves Gold Level Mountain Bike Status

The International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) has awarded Rotorua with their most prestigious gold-level ride centre status. This positions the destination as one of six preeminent Ride Centres in the world.

The official International Association for Mountain Biking, IMBA has been dedicated to enhancing and preserving mountain biking experiences since 1988. With more than 35,000 individual members and over 100,000 supporters, IMBA is the global authority for all things mountain biking.

Four years ago a tiered recognition system was introduced to recognise the very best trails and ride centres in the world, and to be announced as one of the elite few is a great achievement.

"Rotorua has emerged as a world-class venue for mountain bikers," says Mark Eller, IMBA's communications director. "It was an easy call to recognize Rotorua as a gold-level Ride Centre because it offers everything we look for, from lift-served gravity trails to extensive riding in natural settings."

Staff at IMBA select candidates for Ride Centre recognition on an invitation-only basis. The destination can then submit a detailed application before being assessed in line with strict evaluation criteria. To achieve the gold-level rating, the Rotorua Ride Centre scored an exceptional grading of 92 out of a possible 100.

President of the Rotorua Mountain Bike Club Gregg Brown said that the gold-level status is a credit to Rotorua’s passionate Mountain Biking Community.


Photo © Graeme Murray

“In Rotorua we have a legacy of two to three decades of volunteers going out into the forest and building this amazing network of trails. This recognition is testament to their hard work, dedication and passion for the sport we love.”

Adding to the international exposure received from the inaugural Crankworx Rotorua festival held in March 2015, Rotorua is quickly cementing itself as the world’s premier all year round mountain biking destination.


Photo © Graeme Murray

“This is a sensational achievement for our community” says Deputy Mayor Dave Donaldson, who is also Economic Growth Portfolio lead and chairman of Crankworx Rotorua.  “It perfectly complements our focus on Mountain Biking as one of the key drivers of our Rotorua visitor economy alongside the likes of contemporary Maori culture and Spa & Wellness” says Dave.