PeopleForBikes’ Executive Fly-In Brings Industry Leaders to Washington, D.C., to Fight for Tariff Relief and Smarter Trade Policy
On Thursday, June 12, PeopleForBikes convened 17 top bicycle industry leaders in Washington, D.C., for its latest Executive Fly-In, part of the organization’s ongoing efforts to advocate for trade reform. The group met with key members of Congress and agency staff to call for tariff relief, a transparent exclusion process, and policy incentives that support domestic bicycle assembly and strengthen global supply chains on behalf of the U.S. bicycle industry.
The fly-in coincided with the introduction of the bipartisan U.S. Bicycle Production and Assembly Act, a major milestone in trade policy for the bicycle industry. The legislation, shaped through months of collaboration within PeopleForBikes’ Domestic Manufacturing and Supply Chain Committee, would eliminate tariffs on essential components used in U.S. bicycle assembly, addressing one of the industry's biggest cost barriers.
“Our team has a long history of bringing bike business leaders to Washington, D.C., and this most recent visit was a continuation of that important work,” said Jenn Dice, president and CEO of PeopleForBikes. “The delegation we brought were eager to discuss the impacts of the new legislation giving bicycle companies the certainty they need to invest in U.S. operations, while also recognizing that global supply chains remain essential to our industry.”
In addition to supporting the new legislation, attendees urged Congress to:
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Reduce harmful tariffs across categories of bikes, parts, and accessories
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Reinstate a transparent and consistent tariff exclusion process
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Renew the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) to support responsible global sourcing
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Eliminate de minimis loopholes that disadvantage U.S.-based businesses
“Participating in the fly-in was a powerful reminder of what this industry can accomplish when we speak with one unified voice,” said Patrick Cunnane, business advisor at Hyper Bicycles, Inc. “Tariffs and outdated trade rules are placing real pressure on bike companies and consumers alike. This legislation is the kind of smart, targeted solution we need to lower costs, support U.S. jobs, and keep bikes accessible to more people.”
“Tariffs have added unpredictable costs that we can’t plan around, making long-term investment incredibly difficult,” said David Weiner, founder and CEO of Priority Bicycles. “This legislation is a turning point. It opens the door for U.S. bike assembly to thrive and helps small and mid-sized companies like ours stay competitive, affordable, and innovative.”
The group featured executives representing leading bicycle, component, apparel, and retail brands including DT Swiss, Hyper Bicycles, Norco, Pedego, Pivot Cycles, Priority Bicycles, Retrospec, Showers Pass, SRAM, Trek, and more.
“This was more than a show of presence, it was a show of purpose,” said Charles Cooper of the Brumidi Group, PeopleForBikes’ federal affairs advisor. “We’re building bipartisan momentum for policies that help this industry grow responsibly, both at home and across global supply chains.”
A Unified Voice for Trade Reform
PeopleForBikes’ Executive Fly-Ins are part of a long-term strategy to shift from reacting to trade policy uncertainty to proactively shaping a more stable, competitive environment for the bicycle industry. As economic headwinds, cost pressures, and geopolitical tensions disrupt global markets, bicycle brands are calling for meaningful reforms that ensure long-term viability, innovation, and affordability.
“Our ask to lawmakers is simple,” added Dice. “Support trade policy that supports bike businesses, whether they manufacture here in the U.S. or responsibly source components from abroad.”
Industry executives in attendance included:
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Ben Warren, Director of Sourcing, Norco MTB Bikes
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Bob Burns, VP + Senior Legal Officer, Trek
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Chip Barbieri, CEO, DT Swiss Manufacture of Bicycle Components
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Chris Cocalis, CEO, Pivot Cycles
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Clay Goldsmid, CEO, Hyper Bicycle
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David Weiner, Founder + CEO, Priority Bicycles
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Ely Khakshouri, CEO, Retrospec
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Erik Saltvold, CEO, ERIK'S Bike Board Ski
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Gabe Below, VP Federal Affairs, LNE Group, Priority Bicycles
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Gareth Joyce, CEO, Wahoo Indoor + Outdoor Fitness
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Kyle Ranson, CEO, Showers Pass Apparel + Vvolt
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Larry Pizzi, CEO, Pedego
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Leo Yermakov, Director of Regulatory Compliance, SRAM
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Mark Laipple, General Manager, U.S., United Wheels
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Pat Cunnane, Advisor to Hyper Bicycle
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Robert Pasin, CEO, Radio Flyer Child Toys for Active Play
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Scott Lampe, Head of Operations and Finance, Pinarello Bike Brand
Bicycle industry leaders gathered in Washington, D.C., for PeopleForBikes’ Executive Fly-In to advocate for trade reform and expanded domestic assembly opportunities.
About PeopleForBikes
PeopleForBikes is a national bicycle advocacy nonprofit and the U.S. bicycle industry’s trade association representing more than 340 bicycle industry supplier members and nearly 1.4 million individual supporters. Through our three areas of influence — infrastructure, policy, and participation — we accelerate the construction of safe, fun, and connected places to bike, advance pro-bike and pro-bike-business legislation; and reduce barriers to welcome more people to the joys of riding a bike. Our goal: become the best place in the world to ride a bike. Join us at peopleforbikes.org and donate to support our work.
