More than 80% of bicycle retailers who responded to a recent Bikes Belong survey said bike advocacy makes bicycling easier, safer, and more widespread and 60% of the respondents said advocacy leads to more sales in their stores. Believing in bike advocacy and supporting it are two different things, but this survey showed that bicycle retailers are likely to do both.
Nearly 80% of the retailers said that they are members of an advocacy organization, either locally or at the state or national level, and 59% said supporting bike advocacy is even more important to them now than five years ago.
Most retailers said that they contribute between $1,000 and $5,000 annually to bike advocacy, including cash, product, and staff time. Nearly 80% of retailers surveyed said it is important for the brands they carry to support advocacy. More than 25% said they would stop carrying a brand if it stopped supporting advocacy.
“Partnerships between the advocacy and retail sides of the bicycle industry help to ensure that more people ride-and that safe, enjoyable and convenient pedaling options are available,” said Tim Blumenthal, executive director of Bikes Belong.
