In a move that may quiet some critics questioning its committment to the IDB channel, Cannondale Sports Group pledged an additional $200,000 to support Bikes Belong and its mission to get more people riding bicycles more often.
“We are very grateful for this additional donation from Cannondale Sports Group, which will be managed by our Bikes Belong Foundation,” said Tim Blumenthal, Bikes Belong Executive Director. “It will fund two innovative, timely projects.”
A total of $125,000 will help Bikes Belong work with its national non-profit partners to enhance the crucial efforts of state and city bicycle advocacy groups. The remaining $75,000 will back a new Bicycle Facility Design Standards Project that will help professional transportation planners and engineers build seamless, convenient, and appealing cycling routes.
“It is important for us to support programs that are helping to make bicycling a bigger part of our daily lives,” said Jeff Frehner, president of Cannondale Sports Group's. “When we work with and contribute to organizations like Bikes Belong and their partners, we are helping to make the cycling environment better for all bicycle riders.”
CSG has made a commitment to support bicycle advocacy by maintaining current efforts and further developing new partnerships. The $200,000 pledge comes just weeks after CSG announced that Cannondale Bicycles would renew memberships in Bikes Belong and IMBA.
IDBs have become suspicious of Cannondale since it was acquired earlier this year by Dorel Industries, which pushed the Schwinn, GT and Mongoose brands into the mass merchant channel after buying them. Frehner and his bosses at Dorel have insisted Cannondale will anchor a new business dedicated to the IDB channel.
