- Partnership aims to support trail sustainability and promote environmental awareness in Vermont area -

FERNDALE, Washington, (February 29, 2008) - In efforts to continue their outreach to the biking world and grassroots projects, Kona Bicycle Company and Kingdom Trail Association (KTA) in East Burke, Vermont, have, again, joined forces to unveil an exciting program on and off the dirt. Looking to assist in the maintenance and preservation of the non-motorized, multi-use trail system in the area, Kona will be working closely with KTA members and trail crew to increase environmental awareness and trail sustainability. As the official bike of Kingdom Trails’ Trail Crew/Bike Patrol, Kona will also outfit the crew.
This isn’t the first time that Kona and KTA have collabo-rated efforts. Last year, Kona and IMBA awarded KTA a grant to construct a pump track as another amenity for its users. The project was completed in August 2007 and has received positive reviews from both visitors and locals.

“This is a great opportunity for both parties to work off of each others growing success,” says KTA trails coordinator CJ Scott. “I look forward to working with Dale Plant and the rest of the crew at Kona for years to come.”

In 1994, KTA was established as a non-profit multi-use trail associ-ation by a group of visionary residents and area business leaders with
the goal of encouraging recreational use of the area known as the Northeast Kingdom. KTA is a conservation group driven by a volunteer board of directors working in partnership with private landowners, local businesses, government agencies and other non-profit organizations to create and manage outdoor recreation opportunities and preserve and protect trails.

Over the last few years, the area’s trails have been a burgeoning hotspot for cross-country riding. Touted as one of Vermont’s least developed regions, the Northeast Kingdom is ecologically sensitive and the KTA has helped create access to these trails to maintain and promote the area. Currently all mapped trails in the area are on private land, making the trail system a very unique entity. There are 46 private landowners who allow access to their land for use and the trails see more than 30,000 rider visits from May though October.

For more information check
www.konaworld.com and www.kingdomtrails.org.

About the Kona Bicycle Company:
The Kona Bicycle Company designs, manufacturers and distributes more than 60 models of purpose-built, high-performance mountain, road and urban bicycles. Founded in 1988 and headquartered in Ferndale, Washington, Kona bicycles are distributed worldwide in more than 60 countries through independent specialty bicycle dealers. Kona funds several professional road, mountain and cyclo-cross racing teams that include World Cup Champions, World Champions and National Champions. www.konaworld.com.

source: Keith Cozzens | Base Camp Communications