PeopleForBikes, the trade association for the U.S. bicycle industry, is developing a new premium data platform to deliver faster, more transparent market intelligence and help retailers, brands, and suppliers make smarter business decisions. Unanimously approved by the PeopleForBikes Coalition Board of Directors in 2024, the platform represents more than a year of planning and development to provide the most complete view of the U.S. bicycle market.
Powered by the newly developed Bicycle Industry Data Exchange (BIDE), the platform integrates data across the full bicycle ecosystem and will offer comprehensive insights into retail sell-through, supplier sell-in, used bike sales, and direct-to-consumer performance, all anonymized and aggregated to protect contributors and enhance visibility across the entire bike market.
"This new data product is critical to the success of our industry," said Erik Saltvold, owner and founder of Erik's Bike Shop. "When we all have access to uniform data, we can drive stronger results with better decision-making. Making the biggest impact with this product is only possible through true partnership among all stakeholders. Without collaboration, the data will not deliver its full potential."
BIDE: The Engine Behind the Insights
The Bicycle Industry Data Exchange is the secure, back-end infrastructure powering the new platform. Developed in collaboration with retailers and suppliers, BIDE collects, harmonizes, and anonymizes point-of-sale, order, and commerce data to produce high-quality insights without compromising proprietary business information.
Participating retailers and brands have received weekly previews of the data, allowing them to provide feedback and shape the development of the platform. This collaborative approach ensures the final product reflects the real-world business needs of the industry.
With BIDE, participating brands and retailers can track category and channel performance and benchmark against industry peers. They also gain access to dashboards, syndicated reports, and tools to build forecasts and plans with greater confidence.
Mission-Aligned, Not Vendor-Owned
Unlike commercial data providers, PeopleForBikes' platform is owned and operated by the bike industry and revenues stay in-house to improve the program and fuel PeopleForBikes' mission driven work. Retailer access is not tied to any membership requirement — participating retailers contributing data receive the full platform at no cost.
"This project is by the bike industry, for the bike industry. That is what sets it apart," said Ian Christie, CEO and owner of Summit Bicycles. "When you sign on to the BIDE, you're not just getting insights, you're helping strengthen the entire bike economy. This will be of great value to our store managers to compare themselves to each other and the broader market."
Retailer Participation Needed
PeopleForBikes invites U.S. independent bicycle retailers to contribute point-of-sale and inventory data to strengthen the accuracy and value of its new industry data platform. All data is securely transmitted, aggregated, and anonymized to ensure that no individual business can be identified in reporting.
Retailers interested in participating in the Bicycle Industry Data Exchange can contact PeopleForBikes Senior Research Manager Liam Donoghue (liam@peopleforbikes.org) or Retail Engagement Manager Connor Sokol (connor@peopleforbikes.org).
"We're building something the industry has needed for years — real intelligence that's accessible, secure, and built to operate at the speed of today's business," said PeopleForBikes President and CEO Jenn Dice. "With every new retail partner that joins the data exchange, we build on an already strong foundation, enhancing the depth and accuracy of insights that reflect our industry's overall health."
To learn more, visit dataexchange.peopleforbikes.org
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: help the United States become the best place in the world to ride a bike. Join us at peopleforbikes.org and donate to support our work.
