The mission of the Mountain Bike Patrol program is to maintain and promote trail opportunities for the sport of mountain biking through the promotion, education and support of local mountain bike patrol groups.

Patrollers are volunteer mountain bikers (with exception at some ski areas where they may be paid) who have completed appropriate training and are able to inform, assist and educate fellow mountain bikers and other trail users. Mountain bike patrols draw on the highly successful model of nordic ski patrols which have served cross-country skiers and other snow country winter trail users so well.

Patrols typically operate as a volunteer group for the local land management agency. Patrollers promote responsible mountain biking through IMBA's philosophy of enviromentally sound and socially responsible riding, embodied in the universally recognized IMBA Rules of the Trail.

Emphasis is placed on emergency care education, mechanical assistance, enviromental concerns, trail user etiquette, local expertise, and interaction with land management agencies. Enforcement is NOT a function of mountain bike patrols.