PeopleForBikes 2023 Impact Report

Dear PeopleForBikes Supporters,

As we embark on another year of making biking better for everyone, I find myself reflecting on the challenges and triumphs PeopleForBikes and the bike industry experienced in 2023.

The past year proved to be one of the most difficult in bike industry history, with supply chain disruptions, global economic uncertainties, increased traffic violence, and shifting consumer preferences testing our resilience. Yet, even in the face of adversity, the bicycling movement shows remarkable strength. More Americans than ever before are embracing bicycling and this surge in interest is reflected in an unprecedented amount of funding for bike projects at all levels of government.

Our work at PeopleForBikes is more important than ever. We are not only an industry trade association, we are champions of the belief that the simple bicycle can contribute significantly to healthier, happier, and more sustainable communities nationwide.

In 2023, PeopleForBikes achieved some

remarkable milestones. We collected them here in our first ever impact report. Through our strategic focus on our three pillars: infrastructure, policy, and participation, we accelerated the construction of safe, fun, and connected places to bike and championed pro-bike legislation while breaking down barriers to access and welcoming more people to the bicycling community.

Supporting PeopleForBikes is an investment towards a future where everyone can experience the joys and benefits of riding a bike. I want to express my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you for empowering us to achieve our envisioned future. Together, we can make the U.S. the best place to ride a bike in the world.

Thank you for being a part of the movement for better biking for everyone.

Jenn Dice President + CEO

Supporting PeopleForBikes is an investment towards a future where everyone can experience the joys and benefits of riding a bike. I want to express my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you for empowering us to achieve our envisioned future. Together, we can make the U.S. the best place to ride a bike in the world.

Jenn Dice

“ ”

From large urban cities to small rural towns, the U.S. is the best place to ride a bike — for recreation or to safely get where you want to go. Communities are more connected and vibrant thanks to the bicycle. Protected bike lanes, trails, and bike parks are ubiquitous, and children are taught to ride in elementary school. Biking is commonplace, people of every age, size, race, and ability ride daily since bicycling is affordable and fully integrated into public transport. The American way of life has been transformed, people are happier, and the planet is healthier.

Founded in 1999, PeopleForBikes creates a prominent place for bikes in transportation, mobility, and recreation decisions at all levels of government. We ensure bikes are prioritized and positioned as a real solution to improve Americans’ health, connect communities, boost local and state economies, strengthen our nation, and protect our planet.

PeopleForBikes works to get more people on bikes more often and make biking better for everyone.

CORE PURPOSE

To make life great.

CORE VALUES

» Put others first.

» Include everyone.

» It can always be better.

BIG GOAL

Be the best place to ride a bike in the world.

Our work centers around three key pillars:

INFRASTRUCTURE

Our core programs, including City Ratings and the Great Bike Infrastructure Project, help accelerate the construction of safe, fun, and connected places to ride in communities nationwide.

POLICY

Our policy team helps create, track, and advance probike and pro-bike-business legislation at all levels of government.

PARTICIPATION

Through initiatives like the Better Bike Share Partnership and the Youth Cycling Coalition, we reduce barriers to access and welcome more people to the joys of bicycling.

1999

Bikes Belong Coalition is founded

2000

Bikes Belong co-creates and funds America Bikes, successfully pushing for major bike infrastructure investments in the federal transportation bill

2019

Three-class electric bicycle bills are passed in 12 more states

Ride Spot launches at Sea Otter

PeopleForBikes Coalition merges with the Bicycle Product Suppliers Association and creates more working groups and committees to move faster together

2004

Bikes Belong’s annual operating budget reaches $1 million

Tim Blumenthal is named staff president and headquarters is moved to Boulder, Colorado

2005

SAFETEA-LU becomes law and generates close to $4 billion in funding for bike and pedestrian projects during the next six years

Bikes Belong 501(c)(3) organization,

Foundation Routes to Partnership David Clark

2020

Jenn Dice is appointed president + CEO

Three-class electric bicycle bills are passed in 5 more states

COVID resources are launched with bike shops + bicycling being declared essential

Business Intelligence Hub data dashboards are created

Annual operating budget surpasses $10 million

2018

The Final Mile program launches in five cities nationwide

Three-class electric bicycle bills are passed in 4 more states

2017

Big Jump program created increasing bike riding in 10

PlacesForBikes Conference is held

Better Bike Share Program

Three-class electric are passed in 4 more

Congress to include the three-class electric bicycle definition in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

2021

National Ride Spot Challenges are created to inspire people to ride more often and ride more miles

Three-class electric bicycle bills are passed in 8 more states

Final Mile program builds 400 miles of bike infrastructure in five U.S. cities in two years

The first congressional E-BIKE Act is introduced with purchase incentives

First transportation industry battery recycling program launches with Call2Recycle

2006

Belong Foundation, a organization, is founded

Foundation houses the Safe to School National and creates the Paul Bicycle Safety Fund

2010

Bikes Belong launches PeopleForBikes, a campaign aimed at creating a powerful grassroots army of political support for bicycling

2012

The Green Lane Project launches to accelerate the construction of protected bike lanes

International Study Tours are launched to show American stakeholders best bike practices

2013

Bikes Belong rebrands as PeopleForBikes

2014

PeopleForBikes reaches 1 million grassroots supporters

2015

created aimed at 10 U.S. cities

held in Indianapolis Program is launched bicycle bills more states congressional incentives transportation

2016

PlacesForBikes program is developed, focused on rating cities around the world for bicycling + assisting government leaders in making bike riding safe

Three-class electric bicycle bills are passed in 2 more states

VoteForBikes state + local campaigns are launched to support ballot initiatives

PlacesForBikes Conference held in Madison

California becomes the first state to sign PeopleForBikes’ model, three-class electric bicycle definitions into law

2022

Congress passed $13 billion in new federal funding for biking and walking (over five years).

6x more money. Bicycle Leadership Conference is hosted inperson in Dana Point, CA

Three-class electric bicycle bills are passed in 3 more states, bringing the total to 39 states

Inaugural SHIFT‘22 industry conference takes place in Bentonville, AR

The Great Bike Infrastructure Project launched, tracking more than 1,400 bike projects across all 50 states.

Hungry for Batteries e-bike battery recycling campaign helped riders keep their old batteries out of landfills.

2023

Advocated for more than $112 million in new and renewed funding for e-bike incentive programs across six states.

Supported the passage of $2 billion in funding for paved and natural surface bike infrastructure projects.

The State of Bicycling

In 2022, bicycling experienced a remarkable surge in popularity in the United States, with 108 million Americans ages 3 and older riding a bicycle at least once during the year. Despite a reversion to pre-pandemic routines and the conclusion of pandemic-induced temporary infrastructure changes in cities, PeopleForBikes’ 2022 U.S. Bicycling Participation Study shows that individuals who took up biking during the pandemic tended to stick with it and potentially influenced others to join them. Notably, occasional ridership is on the rise, while the population of dedicated, frequent riders remains stable.

PeopleForBikes U.S. Bicycling Participation Study

The bicycle-riding population has typically been dominated by riders who identify as white. For the duration of PeopleForBikes efforts to study bicycling participation through our biennial U.S. Bicycling Participation Study, the distribution of racial/ethnic groups has remained relatively constant with one exception: in 2022 more riders identified themselves as “Black or African American” (15%) compared to 2016 (13%).

While demographic shifts in the base of cycling participants are slow to manifest in participation studies, over the past 6 years there has been a slow but steady increase in participation by riders who identify as female. This change reflects an increase in the relative presence of female riders, as well as an absolute increase in the number of females riding.

PeopleForBikes

2022 Study of the E-Bike Curious

The greatest opportunity for growing participation in bicycling is through electric bicycles. The electric bicycle market is the fastest growing market within the bicycle industry, and we expect this pattern to continue growing 20-30% every year for the next 5 years as electric bicycles are purchased by current cyclists as well as those new to the cycling market. Recent research conducted by the Physical Activity Council found that 12% of Americans over the age of 6 rode an electric bicycle in 2022. Additionally, many Americans are interested in purchasing an electric bike for recreational purposes (91%) or transportation purposes (73%). More than half of those who plan to use an e-bike for transportation expect to replace trips they currently take by motor vehicle.

TRANSPORTATION 8%

RECREATION 27%

RECREATION + TRANSPORTATION 54%

2016 to 2022: Ridership by Age Group

While ridership has grown overall over since 2016, these gains are all due to adults getting on bikes. Since 2016, the proportion of youth (ages 3-17) riding a bicycle at least once per year has steadily declined.

2022: Ridership by Age Group

While ridership tends to decline with age, the recent decline in youth participation is troubling. This is unacceptable and we are working to reverse this trend.

2023 by the Numbers

43

Action Alerts sent to advance pro-bike measures across the United States

54+

Bike industry brands united under a first-of-its-kind e-bike battery recycling solution

$100,000

Awarded to Better Bike Share Partnership grantees working to make shared micromobility more equitable

41

Number of states using PeopleForBikes’ three class electric bicycle definitions

1,733

U.S. and international cities rated in our City Ratings program

108 Million

38 Milllion

Americans rode an electric bike at least once during 2022.

The most recent PeopleForBikes U.S. Bicycling Participation Study found that there were more Americans riding bikes in 2022 than ever before measured.

$13 Billion

Helped secure federal funding for bike infrastructure to be spent over the next five years.

200

1,400+

Planned and proposed bike projects tracked through our Great Bike Infrastructure Project

Volunteer industry leaders serving across PeopleForBikes’ numerous committees dedicated to growing the bike industry and bicycling opportunities nationwide.

More rides took place in 2023 than in 2019, according to bike counter data from Eco-Counter.

More recreational rides took place in 2023 than in 2019, according to bike counter data from Eco-Counter.

Comparing the Best Places to Bike

Since the program launched in 2018, PeopleForBikes’ City Ratings grew from rating 484 U.S. cities for bicycling to rating more than 1,700 cities around the world. The largest program of its kind, City Ratings provides benchmark data that guides local leaders, decision-makers, and advocates in creating safer, more enjoyable, and better-connected places to bike.

At its core, our City Ratings program measures the quality of a city’s bike network, evaluating the effectiveness of its infrastructure in allowing people to comfortably access everyday destinations by bike. That infrastructure includes protected lanes, off-street paths, slow

shared streets, and safe crossings — all vital components that empower individuals to navigate their city by bike.

Cities are assigned a City Ratings score on a scale of 0 to 100, providing a clear indication of the strength of their bike network. A low score (0-20) highlights deficiencies, indicating a city is lacking safe bikeways or suffering from network gaps. Conversely, a high score (80-100) signals that a city boasts accessible and secure bike routes catering to people of all ages and abilities. For larger cities, a score of 50 is the tipping point to becoming a great place to bike (U.S. cities in the top 10 score 55 on average).

How to Improve Bicycling in Your City:

SAFE SPEEDS

Reduce speed limits on residential streets to 20 mph or less and reduce speeds on busier roads in conjunction with other traffic calming measures.

PROTECTED BIKE LANES

When roads are wide and have speed limits faster than 30 mph, they should provide robust physical separation to keep people bicycling safe.

REALLOCATED SPACE

Wide roads do more harm than good. Rethink streets to better serve people through wider sidewalks, greenery, transit lanes, and protected bike lanes.

INTERSECTION TREATMENTS

Reduce crashes by adding safe crossing at intersections or mid-block when the distance between existing crossings is far.

NETWORK CONNECTIONS

Plan and implement a low-stress bike network that connects key destinations and allows people to travel efficiently.

TRUSTED DATA

Catalog and measure what bicycle infrastructure exists and continue to improve upon it year over year, targeting high-stress areas.

The Best U.S. Cities for Bicycling in 2023

CRESTED

BLUE DIAMOND, NEVADA

MURDOCK, NEBRASKA

ASHLAND, WISCONSIN

ANKENY,

BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA

BOULDER, COLORADO

CORVALLIS, OREGON

MINNEAPOLIS,

SAN

SEATTLE,

PHILADELPHIA,

“

I don’t believe that we have to declare war on the automobile, but we also don’t have to surrender to it. There are all these little tiny decisions that we collectively make to prioritize cars, which are not really little tiny decisions when you multiply them by hundreds of thousands of times across the country. We need to move away from cars shaping our communities towards communities being able to shape the vision they have for the future.

”

Congressman Earl Blumenauer

Building a More Bikeable Nation

Imagine a country where communities from coast to coast have access to safe, fun, and connected places to bike and our collective future is vibrant, sustainable, and healthy. Our Great Bike Infrastructure Project is capitalizing on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bring that vision to life.

Launched in 2023, the Great Bike Infrastructure Project is a nationwide campaign dedicated to fostering safer and more connected communities for people of all ages and abilities. The cornerstone of the project is a robust investment strategy that channels resources into communities, promoting pro-bike legislation and facilitating

the implementation of thousands of bike infrastructure projects spanning all 50 states.

The project includes a first-of-its-kind national database featuring an interactive map and list of more than 1,400 (and growing) planned and proposed bike projects. This regularly updated resource empowers communities by providing information on bike trails, shared-use paths, protected bike lanes, and bike parks in need of advocacy support. By fostering a deeper understanding of local needs, we hope to galvanize communities to actively engage in the development and improvement of local bike infrastructure.

PeopleForBikes also created a legislative strategies guide to help policymakers both initiate high-quality infrastructure projects and get projects across the finish line. Not only does the guide underscore the importance of sufficient funding for bike infrastructure, it also advocates for the implementation of Complete Streets policies, the inclusion of bicycling in climate strategies, and the creation of safer environments for biking through measures such as lower speed limits and modern design standards.

Strategic events also helped broaden engagement around the project, drawing support from the bike industry, advocacy

groups, policymakers, and everyday riders. These include a series of virtual webinars as well as a PeopleForBikes Advocacy Gathering, which brought together 20 local leaders for a two-day workshop in Austin, Texas. These collaborative events allowed participants to celebrate successes, share best practices, and collectively strategize for the advancement of bike infrastructure in their respective communities.

Fostering the Next Generation of Bicyclists

Every month, PeopleForBikes brings together 11 executive directors from leading youth bicycling programs across the United States through the Youth Cycling Coalition (YCC). This convening quickly became more than just a meeting — it’s a vibrant hub where leaders connect, share resources, and sketch the roadmap for the future of youth cycling in America.

This year, PeopleForBikes awarded nine scholarships to members of the YCC to attend the Bicycle Leadership Conference in Dana Point, California. These scholarships aimed to bridge the gap between youth leaders and industry executives, fostering relationships for future partnerships and innovations in youth cycling.

PeopleForBikes also worked closely throughout 2023 with the nonprofit

Outride, a YCC member dedicated to improving the lives of youth through research, school-based cycling programs, and matching community grants. Our support included amplifying Outride’s groundbreaking research on the positive impacts of in-school cycling programs.

In September, PeopleForBikes put the spotlight on youth bicycling through our industry webinar series. Hosted in partnership with the National Bicycle Dealers Association (NBDA), the interactive session explored opportunities to strengthen the relationship between retailers and the next generation of riders, highlighting replicable success stories and strategies for improved engagement with youth bicyclists.

Place-Based Activation Work

In the heart of the Ozark Mountains sits a region known for its world-class mountain biking: Northwest Arkansas. PeopleForBikes maintains a satellite office in Bentonville, Arkansas, in the Ledger, the world’s first bikeable office building. With funding from the Walton Family Foundation, our team is dedicated to serving the needs of the large segment of bike industry businesses located in Northwest Arkansas and coming in the future.

A cornerstone of our work is community and industry events, including everything from education and networking opportunities to international study tours. In October 2023, PeopleForBikes hosted our second SHIFT conference in Bentonville, bringing together more than 250 industry members representing 75+ bike brands. The conference focused on the latest developments in the

world of electric bicycles, tackling key topics including regulations, accessibility, and rider demographics.

Another standout initiative in Northwest Arkansas is PeopleForBikes’ Ride to Work Wednesdays series. What began as an internal program for Walmart employees quickly grew into a communitywide event. With nine activations in 2023, the campaign saw a remarkable turnout of 626 attendees and forged partnerships with nine organizations, including the City of Bentonville and Kent Bikes.

Our collaboration with Walmart remains paramount as PeopleForBikes continues to support the retailer’s ambitious goal of getting 10% of its Bentonville-based associates commuting to work by active transportation.

This partnership showcases the potential of thinking big and what’s possible through collaboration with the private sector. Beyond the corporate impact, the initiative is also positioning Bentonville as a city at the forefront of active mobility.

To bolster the momentum for the safe, connected bike infrastructure that’s necessary to promote more people biking for transportation, PeopleForBikes also hosted a cohort of 19 delegates from Northwest Arkansas on a study tour to the Netherlands. Over the course of six days in the world-class bike cities of Delft, Zwolle, and Rotterdam, participants attended workshops and toured the cities by bike, delving into the many possibilities of the Dutch model of alternative movement.

Taken as a whole, our events laid the groundwork for some impressive metrics in 2023. From April to October alone, we achieved 3,619 touchpoints in Northwest Arkansas. That’s a staggering 74% increase over 2022, which translated into a 54% surge in PeopleForBikesNWA Instagram followers.

Looking to the future, our team remains committed to designing and hosting industry events, impactful activations, and educational initiatives. Our work in the region isn’t just about promoting cycling. It’s about shaping a future where Bentonville is synonymous with active mobility — a city where the hum of wheels on pavement becomes a heartbeat, reflecting a community redefined by the power of bikes.

BETTER BIKE SHARE PARTNERSHIP

Making Shared Micromobility More Equitable

One in four adults in the U.S. experiences transportation insecurity. Thankfully, bike and scooter share offers a healthy, low-cost solution. An invaluable public resource, shared micromobility can fill in transportation gaps and provide crucial access to a myriad of essential services. To truly have that sort of positive impact, however, we need to ensure our cities’ shared micromobility systems are built equitably.

Since 2014, as bike and scooter share continues to rapidly expand around the globe, the Better Bike Share Partnership (BBSP) has been a driving force in making these systems — and bicycling in general — more inclusive and accessible. A collaborative funded by the JPB Foundation, BBSP partners include the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO), The City of Philadelphia

(which maintains the Indego bike share system), and PeopleForBikes.

BBSP is committed to advancing equity in shared micromobility, and specifically, ensuring that communities of color and lower-income individuals can not only access but comfortably use bike and scooter share systems.

One of the key ways BBSP achieves this mission is through direct investments in systems across the United States. 2023 marked the conclusion of five $200,000 grants in Chicago, Cincinnati, Detroit, Philadelphia, and Portland. Known as our Living Labs, these grants supported multi-year bike share projects that were both novel and replicable. Additionally, BBSP disseminated $100,000 in smaller grant awards to six projects that engaged socially, culturally, and economically

diverse communities around shared micromobility.

In 2023, BBSP also collaborated with the North American Bike and Scooter Share Association on an updated toolkit aimed at making workplaces within the shared micromobility industry more diverse and inclusive. Available in English and Spanish, the toolkit offers potent lessons for any company looking to foster a workplace culture ingrained with the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Through this work, BBSP is ensuring that the positive changes initiated today will be sustained and built upon in the future.

BBSP is also dedicated to fostering more diverse voices within the transportation industry through its Transportation Justice Fellowship, which graduated its second

cohort in 2023. The eight-month fellowship is designed to amplify the voices of people of color in the transportation field through professional development and networking opportunities. Fellows engaged in skill sessions, retreats, and collaborative projects, all aimed at operationalizing equity.

All of these initiatives come together through BBSP’s storytelling efforts. In 2023, BBSP published 84 stories highlighting those working to increase equity in shared micromobility; disseminating ideas, strategies, and best practices from the field; and elevating the voices of those traditionally underrepresented in transportation decisionmaking. As a testament to the partnership’s success, in June 2023, BBSP secured another three-year grant to continue building equity in bike share and beyond.

2023 Policy Wins

In the world of public policy, PeopleForBikes achieved one of its most impactful years to date in 2023 with a focus on creating safer places to ride and supporting the growth of electric bicycles. We successfully lobbied for the adoption of our model, three-class e-bike definitions in three new states, bringing the total number of states utilizing the three-class system to 41. Our advocacy efforts also led to the allocation of more than $112 million in

More Safe and Protected Places to Bike

new and renewed funding for e-bike purchase incentive programs across six states. We’re excited about the potential of state and local e-bike incentive programs. To support the continued adoption of these vital programs, we created the E-Bike Incentive Toolkit for advocates and policymakers, offering valuable insights from existing programs and sample legislation for implementing new initiatives.

Our 2024 Policy Priorities: Securing dedicated infrastructure funding. Promoting Complete Streets mandates. Advancing bike infrastructure through climate legislation. Prioritizing safety in policies and street design.

3,426+

New miles of recreational trails open to electric bicycles. Our relationships with land managers at all levels of government resulted in new miles of trails open to Class 1 eMTBs on state and federal-managed lands, including U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and National Park Service.

28

Public comments to land management agencies asking for recreational funding, public lands conservation, and increased access for bicycling.

New Policy Resources

In 2023, PeopleForBikes published numerous new advocacy resources focused on our priority areas:

E-Bikes for Everyone

$112 Million

PeopleForBikes advocated for more than $112 million in new and renewed funding for electric bicycle purchase incentive programs across six states.

Climate Solutions

We helped lead the conversation on e-bike safety standards in New York City and beyond, working closely with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

Model E-Bike Legislation

Our model, three-class definitions for electric bicycles are now recognized in 41 states, with 48 states defining an e-bike similar to a traditional bicycle.

Bike Infrastructure Saves Lives

In 2023, we published 158 articles across the PeopleForBikes and Better Bike Share Partnership websites, 30 press releases, and sent 297 emails across all of our programs. One of our most impactful articles highlights the epidemic of traffic violence in the U.S. and asks the reader to demand the protected bike lanes, slow speeds, road diets, and intersection treatments that make our communities safer.

In the 1950s and 1960s, Dutch cities like Amsterdam weren’t too far off from the American cities of today. At the time, the growing number of cars saw bike trips plummet across the Netherlands and accordingly, the number of traffic deaths began to rise. In 1971, they hit a peak of 3,300 deaths, 400 of which were children.

“Stop de Kindermoord,” or “Stop the Child Murder,” became the rallying cry of a group of concerned citizens, calling on the government to fund the construction of protected bike lanes. The protests worked, pushing the Dutch government to begin building a network of connected, separate bike paths. The number of people on bikes grew exponentially and pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities declined significantly. Today, Amsterdam continues to have one of the lowest traffic fatality rates in the world.

When it comes to cyclist and pedestrian deaths, the U.S. today is much worse off than Amsterdam was 60 years ago and the numbers are trending upwards. In the last

12 years, fatalities for people walking and biking increased by 60%. The National Safety Council estimates more than 46,000 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes (including those walking and biking) in 2022. That’s the equivalent of a plane crashing every single day for a year, a level of catastrophe we would never stand for.

Families for Safe Streets (FFSS) was founded in 2014 by the families of loved ones who were killed or injured in crashes in New York City. Today, the organization includes 20 chapters in cities across the country. According to the group’s national director, Thomas DeVito, “It’s an organization that shouldn’t have to exist, but because of the epidemic of traffic violence, has to exist to make laws safer.”

FFSS worked to lower the default speed limits throughout New York City from 30 to 25 mph. Following that win, the group went on to secure the largest speed safety camera system in North America, leading to more than 2,000 cameras deployed across 750 school zones. Last year, the group pushed to expand

the speed safety hours, driven by data that a large number of crashes were happening overnight. That change led to a 30% decrease in speeding.

The group also succeeded in multiple locallevel street design campaigns, seeing hundreds of millions of dollars dedicated to overhauling dangerous thoroughfares. One prime example is the redesign of Queens Boulevard, once nicknamed the “Boulevard of Death” due to the 189 people killed on the road between 1994 and 2014. After the city spent just $4 million on a road diet, the road went from having as many as 16 deaths a year to zero.

“Everyday folk have to become advocates and vocally involved in some way,” says DeVito. “That doesn’t mean necessarily throwing yourself completely into the work but ultimately, elected officials are the gatekeepers of what policies are prioritized at any given moment, and they are responsive to the input that they’re receiving at the ground level.”

“

With U.S. cyclist injuries and deaths at an all-time high, now is the moment to demand the protected bike lanes, road diets, and intersection treatments that make our communities safer.

”The transformation Amsterdam underwent in the 1970s proves that drastic change is possible if we demand it, and the work of Families for Safe Streets and countless other advocacy organizations showcase a way forward here in the U.S. It’s on all of us to communicate that one more life lost is a life too many — and to ultimately demand the infrastructure that we know saves lives.

Inspiring People to Take Action

A critical component of PeopleForBikes’ work is inspiring people to take action. Every year, we develop campaigns for everyday riders and the bike industry to rally behind our vision of making the U.S. the best place in the world to ride a bike. These campaigns focus on key issues including sustainability, safety, and participation and provide our diverse audiences unique ways to get involved. Our campaigns champion innovative solutions to complex challenges, educate the industry and our supporters on the latest PeopleForBikes initiatives, and connect communities across the U.S. through the power of the bike.

E-Bike Smart

Thirty-eight million Americans rode an electric bicycle in 2022, contributing to record-high ridership on streets, paths, and trails across the country. As the popularity of e-bikes continues to rise, PeopleForBikes, in collaboration with the League of American Bicyclists and Bicycle Colorado, launched E-Bike Smart, a rider safety education course in 2023. Designed for riders of all ages and experience levels, the program promotes safe and responsible riding habits. Covering various aspects of e-bike ownership, including the different classes of electric bicycles, battery management, and proper road and trail etiquette, E-Bike Smart is supported by more than 20 brands and numerous state and local advocacy organizations. The collaborative and brand-agnostic nature of the program also enables manufacturers and retailers to customize and share the content, furthering the reach of this vital safety information.

VoteForBikes

Increased funding for bike infrastructure projects is one of PeopleForBikes’ top priorities, and our nationwide VoteForBikes campaign tracks billions of dollars in funding on local ballots every year. In 2023, we supported the passage of nearly $2 billion in funding for both paved and natural surface bike infrastructure projects. This success underscores our commitment to enhancing bicycling infrastructure across the country, making communities more bikefriendly and accessible for all.

Hungry for Batteries

Millions of electric bicycles are being ridden on roads and trails across the U.S., helping Americans replace car trips, reduce their personal carbon footprint, and access the countless benefits and joys of the great outdoors. That means there are also millions of lithium-ion batteries that will need to be properly managed at their end of life. With that in mind, the bike industry came together as the first transportation industry to establish a unified battery recycling solution. Teaming up with Call2Recycle and our 54 (and growing) volunteer brands and manufacturers, PeopleForBikes’ Hungry for Batteries campaign encourages riders to responsibly recycle their end-of-life batteries at one of thousands of certified drop-off locations across the country. This consumer-facing initiative not only addresses the current challenges of e-bike battery disposal but also positions our members to better navigate the evolving landscape of e-bike growth in the next

In the News

In 2023, PeopleForBikes was featured in 601 pieces of coverage across print and digital publications, garnering more than 33.2 million views. Our experts weighed in on stories about safe infrastructure, federal policy, all things electric bikes, and more, helping to ensure that we’re leading the conversation on bicycling and centering our vision for the future.

We’re Just Getting Started

All of our collective work, programs, and campaigns come together to support our vision of making the U.S. the best place in the world to ride a bike. Our goals are ambitious, but attainable.

At the heart of our endeavors lies the Great Bike Infrastructure Project. More than just building more places to bike, the purpose of this initiative is to grow a safe and inclusive biking culture that permeates every community.

In 2024, we’re introducing a Recreational Bicycle Access tool, similar to our Bicycle Network Analysis, to provide a baseline for existing access to recreational biking facilities nationwide. This evolution showcases our dedication to measuring what matters to ensure we are working in the most effective ways.

Our Legal, Legislative, and Safety Committee will remain focused on accelerating our federal bike and bike

business strategies. As we monitor legislation in all 50 states, we remain dedicated to fostering a favorable policy environment for all things bikes.

Our commitment to electric bicycle advocacy and sustainability is a multifaceted endeavor. From navigating regulatory landscapes to advocating for responsible battery certifications and recycling, our Electric Bicycle Committee and eMTB Task Force are poised to address risks and opportunities in this evolving space. Simultaneously, our Sustainability Working Group is working to advance innovative industry solutions, focusing on tube and tire recycling and enhancing our greenhouse gas emission reduction goals.

As we strive to make bicycling accessible to all, our Membership, Education, Events, and Marketing Committee is championing numerous campaigns to ensure that everyone can experience the many joys and benefits of bicycling.

Our Industry Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee is fostering mentorship opportunities, career development, and conducting industrywide surveys, working towards a more inclusive and equitable bike industry and community.

PeopleForBikes is excited to directly engage in advocacy efforts with NICA teams across the country in 2024, serving as an example for other members of the Youth Cycling Coalition and youth cycling organizations nationwide. Through the development of a comprehensive database of youth cycling organizations, we aim to create a network for local leaders to connect and learn from one another, fostering stronger local bike advocacy efforts and paving the way for the next generation of cyclists to ride into adulthood.

on shared micromobility. Simultaneously, the second round of Living Lab grants begins, with $1,000,000 being awarded to five cities working on replicable projects to make shared micromobility more equitable. These initiatives, coupled with ongoing mini-grants and storytelling efforts, solidify our commitment to a more equitable and accessible bicycling community.

As we pedal into 2024, PeopleForBikes invites you to join us in making biking better for everyone as we transform America into the best place in the world to ride a bike.

The Better Bike Share Partnership’s Transportation Justice Fellowship enters its third round, focusing for the first time

Financials

The achievements mentioned in this report would not be possible without our staff and board leadership. At PeopleForBikes, we are committed to being financially responsible and strive to minimize our operational expenses while maximizing the impact of our grant and donation dollars.

2023 received total funding of $3.54 million invested in bike advocacy and educational programs with expenses of $3.89 million. We closed the budget gap by releasing restricted grant funds to intended programming and with a planned decrease in net assets. Our Foundation reserves of both restricted and unrestricted funds total $1.8 million. Thanks to a generous grant from the PeopleForBikes Coalition (501c6), operations and overhead administrative expenses are supported so that donations and grants can be deployed in service of bike programming and our mission.

Staff + Board

PeopleForBikes’ core ideology includes our core purpose — to make life great — and our core values: put others first, include everyone, and it can always be better. Using these guiding principles, our organization stays focused on our external goals while also supporting the growth and success of our staff.

BEST PLACE TO WORK

PeopleForBikes was named one of Outside Magazine’s 50 Best Places to Work in 2023. Landing on this list is a testament to the dedicated efforts of our staff to develop a holistic workplace culture in pursuit of our core purpose.

President: Blair Clark President, Canyon Bicycles

Vice President +

Secretary: Patrick Seidler President, Wilderness Trail Bikes

John Bucksbaum CEO + Founder, Bucksbaum Retail Properties

Thomas Dimitroff CEO, Sumer Sports

Steve McBee Founder + CEO, Huck Capital

Ariadne Scott Assistant Director of Active Mobility, Stanford University

Faryar Shirzad Chief Policy Officer, Coinbase

Dear Friends,

The journey to create safe and connected places to bike resonates with me deeply. It is a cause that has woven itself into the fabric of my being, spurred by an event that forever altered the course of my life — the tragic loss of my brother due to a careless driver on the wrong side of the road. In the wake of that difficult moment, I decided to honor my brother by supporting the mission of PeopleforBikes to ensure the safety and joy of riders of all ages and abilities, fostering a world where bicycling endures for generations.

PeopleForBikes stands as a beacon of change in this unparalleled moment in history. This organization works tirelessly to strengthen and connect communities and give a resounding voice to bicyclists across the country. For these individuals, the bicycle is more than merely a mode of transportation; it is a passport to uncharted horizons, a gift bestowing freedom to explore and dream beyond the confines that once prevented people in communities across the country from getting to where they needed to go.

The bicycle, with its transformative power, is a symbol of independence, unlocking a cascade of new and expanded opportunities. It allows us to

break free from limitations, propelling us toward a future where neighborhoods are revitalized and the lives of the people who live in them are forever changed for the better. The simple bicycle is a force that empowers, enriches, and uplifts.

I invite you to stand alongside me in championing this mission embodied by PeopleForBikes. Together, we can support this remarkable organization that I am honored to be a part of as it works to position bicycles as a tangible solution to enhance Americans’ health, weave tighter community bonds, invigorate state and local economies, strengthen our nation, and protect our precious planet.

Let us unite in the collective endeavor to unlock the extraordinary potential of the bicycle. Through our shared dedication, we can pedal together into a future where the wheels of change bring about a brighter, healthier, and more connected world.

Blair Clark President

Canyon Bicycles

Ways to Give

DIRECT DONATIONS

You can make an immediate impact with a one-time donation to PeopleForBikes. Your financial support powers our continued work making biking better for everyone across the U.S.

RECURRING GIFTS

Become a sustaining champion of our work by setting up a recurring donation. This consistent support provides a reliable source of funding, allowing us to plan and execute long-term initiatives.

SECURITIES

If you have appreciated securities that you have owned for more than one year, you may want to consider using such assets to make a charitable gift. When a gift of long-term appreciated securities is made directly to PeopleForBikes, there is no tax on your capital gains, even though the gain is counted as part of your charitable deduction. To receive the greatest tax benefit, gifts of appreciated securities should be made directly to PeopleForBikes, rather than selling them first and making a donation with the proceeds.

PLANNED GIVING

Help ensure the vitality of PeopleForBikes far into the future by including us in your estate planning. These gifts can make donors eligible

for federal and state tax laws that may allow reduction of income, lower gift and estate taxes, or provide additional income during your lifetime. We encourage you to consult your financial or tax advisors when making any changes to your estate.

TRIBUTES AND MEMORIALS

Honor someone’s accomplishment or memory, celebrate a friend’s birthday, or recognize an individual’s achievement with a tribute or memorial gift to PeopleForBikes.

HOST AN EVENT

Elevate your impact by hosting a fundraising event. Whether it’s a coffee meet-up, a bike ride, or a movie screening, your event can help raise funds while fostering community around a shared love of bikes.

SUPPLEMENTARY SUPPORT

Explore supplementary ways to contribute, such as employer matching programs or workplace giving initiatives. Check with your employer to see if they offer these opportunities and amplify the influence of your generosity.

How to Get Started:

VISIT OUR WEBSITE:

Visit peopleforbikes.org and click the DONATE button to access our user-friendly, secure platform to make online contributions.

MAKE A PHYSICAL DONATION:

Donations are also accepted via check.

Please mail your donation to:

PeopleForBikes

PO Box 2359 Boulder, CO, 80306

CONTACT US:

Reach out to our team at info@ peopleforbikes.org for assistance or to discuss your unique contribution preferences.

FEDERAL EIN NUMBER: 20-4306888

SPREAD THE WORD:

Share our mission with your network and encourage others to join you in supporting our work. Your involvement, no matter the form, directly contributes to our mission of getting more people on bikes more often and making biking better for everyone. Thank you for your commitment to our cause.