The PeopleForBikes Coalition Board of Directors convened virtually on December 10 to review organizational progress, align on 2026 priorities, and address the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing the U.S. bike industry. The meeting highlighted major wins across infrastructure, policy, and industry engagement in 2025, and charted a path forward for 2026 and beyond.
2025 Progress
The PeopleForBikes leadership team reported strong results across goals outlined in its 2025 Workplan, including progress on infrastructure, regulatory clarity, and industry coordination.
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Reported 234 U.S. cities reaching a City Ratings score of 50 or higher — up from 189 in 2024 — reflecting significant national momentum for communities becoming safer and more connected places to ride.
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Tracked more than 600 new bike projects to completion nationwide during the last three years through the Great Bike Infrastructure Project.
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Opened 17,686 new miles of new trails to Class 1 eMTBs, a record-setting year!
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Tracked 800+ bills, defeated 350 harmful bills, and secured 92 policy wins, protecting the industry from tens of millions in potential losses.
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Unified the industry on trade and tariff action, issuing rapid-response communications and advocating directly with federal agencies and Congress.
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Defined and regulated e-moto products through model legislation in multiple states, protecting the integrity of the electric bicycle market.
2026 Priorities
Looking ahead, the board aligned on major 2026 initiatives, including:
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Completing the next U.S. Bicycle Participation Study, offering the industry an updated picture of who is riding bikes and why.
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Supporting 2,000 bike infrastructure projects and helping 61 more U.S. cities reach a City Ratings score of 50+, building toward PeopleForBikes’ long-term goal of 400 cities by 2028.
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Leading national work on electric bicycle and e-moto policy by advancing safety standards, model legislation, and public education.
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Preparing for the launch of the Bicycle Industry Data Exchange (BIDE), the engine powering a new market intelligence platform built by and for the industry.
The meeting highlighted the Bike Industry Data Exchange as a defining opportunity for the bike industry to modernize and unify market insights and intelligence. PeopleForBikes staff shared updates on retailer recruitment, early dashboard development, and next steps ahead of a 2026 launch.
Trade and Tariffs Remain Top Risk + Priority
PeopleForBikes’ policy and legal leadership updated the board on Section 232 and IEEPA tariff developments, ongoing federal actions, and the U.S. Bicycle Production and Assembly Act (H.R. 3904). Tariff escalation remains the number one threat to the U.S. bike industry, reinforcing the critical role of coordinated advocacy and rapid-response communications.
Board Leadership Updates
The board welcomed new member Alicia Applegate, divisional merchandise manager at REI, and celebrated and thanked outgoing members Claudia Wasko, vice president and general manager of Bosch eBike Systems, and Michael Forte, USA strategy and ecosystem leader of Specialized Bicycle Components.
“PeopleForBikes brings the industry together to tackle the issues that matter most,” said Applegate. “I am deeply invested in that work, both personally and professionally, and am ready to support and strengthen PeopleForBikes initiatives, in an effort to move our business and industry forward.”
“I’m grateful for my time on the PeopleForBikes Coalition Board,” said Wasko. “Seeing the industry come together to solve problems and take meaningful action has been inspiring, and I’m proud to have contributed to that work.”
“I’ve enjoyed serving on the PeopleForBikes Coalition Board and shaping our long time industry-led research and statistics program,” said Forte. “I look forward to staying involved with PeopleForBikes on the Research & Statistics Subcommittee as they continue working to provide the industry with better data to drive smarter business decisions.”
Opportunities for Industry Engagement
The meeting concluded with a plan to meet next at the Bicycle Leadership Conference, taking place March 17–19 in Dana Point, California.
PeopleForBikes Coalition Board of Directors
Chair: An Le, Head of Global Marketing, Giant Bicycles
Vice Chair + Treasurer: Nolan Moser, Assistant VP Bicycle Component Division, Shimano North America
Secretary + Foundation Liaison: Gloria Hwang, Founder + CEO, Thousand
Alicia Applegate, Divisional Merchandise Manager, REI
Bob Burns, VP and Senior Legal Officer, Trek Bicycle
Ian Christie, CEO, Summit Bicycles
Michael Forte, USA Strategy + Ecosystem Leader, Specialized Bicycle Components
Nick Hage, General Manager, Cannondale Bicycle Corporation
Blake Jackson, Vice President Global Communications, Walmart
Marco Kind, Senior Vice President, Pon.Bike Sports
J. Scott King, Chief Business Development Officer, Runway
Ken Lousberg, CEO, SRAM
Jeff McGuane, President, Revelyst Adventure Sports
John Munhall, Director of Product Management, Giant Bicycles
Larry Pizzi, CEO, Pedego
Erik Saltvold, Founder, Erik’s Bike Shop
Juliet Scott-Croxford, President North America, Brompton Bicycle
Allison (Coughlin) Straub, President + CEO, Burley Design
Rich Tauer, President, Quality Bicycle Products
Claudia Wasko, General Manager, Bosch eBike Systems
PeopleForBikes Coalition Emeritus Board Members
Pat Cunnane, President, Stoker Strategies
Joe Graney, Former CEO, Santa Cruz Bicycles
Mike Mercuri, Former VP of Marketing + Sales, SRAM
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.
