BOULDER, Colo. (BRAIN) — Representatives from Advanced Sports International, Accell Group, Specialized, Continental Tires, the Outdoor Alliance and Bosch met with members of Congress and other Washington, D.C., power brokers during PeopleForBikes' fourth Executive Fly-In last week.
The mission focused on three areas: reauthorization of the transportation bill, bicycle eligibility for TIGER grants, and demonstrating bicycling's economic impacts in each state and district.
There was a specific emphasis on the Environmental Goods Agreement, an initiative that is being driven by the Bicycle Product Suppliers Association and PeopleForBikes for tariff relief on bicycles and bicycle components. This is a World Trade Organization directive to stimulate production of Green Goods.
"The fly-in was much more energizing, exciting and rewarding than I imagined," said Bob Margevicius, the executive vice president of Specialized Bicycle Components. "It is stimulating to engage with key governmental leadership and to contribute to growing the bicycling community. The interactions were productive, enlightening and enriching."
Other participants were Karen Bliss, VP of marketing for ASI; George Simone, VP of IBD sales at Accell Group North America; and D.C. lobbyists from Continental Tires, Outdoor Alliance and Bosch. They were accompanied by PeopleForBikes' VP of government relations, Jenn Dice, and its VP of finance, Erik Esborg.
The next Fly-In takes place Feb. 3-4, 2015. Those who are interested in attending should contact Kristy Kibler at kristy@peopleforbikes.org.
