PeopleForBikes, the U.S. bike industry’s trade association and national advocacy organization, organized and led a three-day study tour across North and South Carolina, convening a cohort of industry leaders, policymakers and partners to explore opportunities to diversify and strengthen domestic bike manufacturing, assembly and supply chains.

The tour showcased how the Carolinas combine advanced manufacturing, robust logistics infrastructure and a vibrant cycling culture, positioning the region as a promising hub for U.S. bike manufacturing.

“From automotive success stories to world-class ports and research institutions, the Carolinas showcase how regional ecosystems can drive the future of U.S. bicycle manufacturing,” said Jenn Dice, president and CEO of PeopleForBikes. “Pairing this kind of leadership and infrastructure with federal policy solutions gives our industry real momentum to grow production here at home.”

Carolinas Tour Highlights

  • Cane Creek Cycling (Fletcher, NC): Celebrating 50 years, Cane Creek Cycling offered a behind-the-scenes look at local bike production. During the visit, Brian Tedesco of Blaupunkt Americas announced plans to relocate the company’s e-bike manufacturing facility from South America to Western North Carolina, a move expected to create 60 to 80 local jobs and produce up to 250,000 e-bikes annually.
  • OneSpartanburg + Time Bicycles: Leaders emphasized how the region’s automotive legacy and new automation strategies can be applied to cycling. Tony Karklins of Time Bicycles underscored the importance of integrating advanced manufacturing with practical supply chain strategies.
  • Global Lessons from Portugal: Philippe Vaxelaire, CEO of Unibike Portugal, shared insights from Europe’s “Bike Valley,” illustrating how U.S. regions could replicate global best practices in scaling production.
  • Logistics Infrastructure: Tours of the Greer Inland Port and Greenville–Spartanburg International Airport showcased how ports, airports and logistics providers form the backbone of a cost-efficient supply chain.
  • BMW Spartanburg Plant: As BMW invests $1.7 billion in e-vehicle production in the Carolinas, the visit underscored the scale of advanced manufacturing and its relevance to the cycling industry.

The tour followed the introduction of the bipartisan U.S. Bicycle Production and Assembly Act, legislation that would eliminate tariffs on imported bike components used in domestic assembly. PeopleForBikes said it applauds the bill as a “powerful tool to accelerate U.S. bicycle manufacturing and reinforce investments, such as those seen across the Carolinas.”

“This is about more than building bikes,” added Dice. “It’s about creating jobs, strengthening supply chains, and positioning the U.S. as a global leader in sustainable manufacturing and innovation.”

Image courtesy PeopleForBikes