The PeopleForBikes Coalition board of directors approved eight grants to improve places for bikes, welcomed a trio of new board members and discussed 2019 priorities at its semi-annual meeting Nov. 29 in Boulder, CO.
Board chair Steve Flagg welcomed new board members Justin Gottlieb of Interbike/Emerald Expositions, Jennifer Harned of Bell/Giro/Vista Outdoor, and Bob Burns of Trek. Burns, who wrote the organization’s original bylaws 20 years ago, was also elected to an at-large position on PFB’s executive committee.
The board discussed the organization’s youth participation strategy. Charles Cooper, executive vice president of Signal Group and chief PFB lobbyist, presented a summary of federal bike project funding trends and opportunities/threats associated with the new U.S. Congress that will convene in January. The board strategized on ways to maximize the rollout of Ride Spot — PFB’s new program to encourage casual bike riders and connect them with local retailers.
Other topics included an update on the group’s leading infrastructure programs, an overview of research efforts and participation trends and a discussion of the growing alliance with the Bicycle Product Supplier’s Association. The board approved a 2019 Coalition budget of $3,423,000 that will combine with the PeopleForBikes Foundation budget of $5 million+ to fund all of the organization’s work.
The semi-annual meeting concluded with a vote to approve PFB’s 2018 fall grant recipients. Grantees will use funding for projects that include bike park development, expanded pump tracks, bike fix-it stations and multi-use pathways. PeopleForBikes Community Grants Program is funded through the Employee Pro Purchase program, which collects donations from individuals who work in the industry and take advantage of pro-pricing on bike equipment. Cannondale, Fuji, Giant, Shimano and Trek currently participate.
PeopleForBikes is uniting millions of individuals, thousands of businesses and hundreds of communities to make bike riding better for everyone.
