Final Hours to Act — Public Comment Period Closes at Midnight (ET), Tuesday, October 21
WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 21, 2025) — PeopleForBikes and the National Bicycle Dealers Association (NBDA) are calling on every U.S. bicycle retailer, supplier, and manufacturer to act before midnight tonight to oppose two new tariff requests that could devastate the bike industry.
On October 7, the U.S. Department of Commerce published 95 new requests for inclusion under the Section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs. Two of these requests, filed by the Aluminum Extruders Council (AEC) and Guardian Bikes, would apply a 50% tariff on the aluminum and steel content of all imported bicycles, frames, and e-bikes.
If approved, these tariffs would dramatically increase prices, reduce product availability, and threaten jobs across the U.S. bicycle industry. The new duties would stack on top of existing base rates and Section 301 tariffs on Chinese imports, pushing total import costs to unsustainable levels. Many products imported from China, already subject to combined duties exceeding 30–50%, would face additional 50% surcharges under Section 232, amplifying financial strain on retailers, suppliers, and consumers.
"This is an existential threat to our industry," said Heather Mason, president of the National Bicycle Dealers Association. "Every retailer, supplier, and manufacturer must take action today to prevent devastating consequences for American bike businesses and riders."
The Commerce Department’s public comment period closes at midnight ET on October 21, 2025, leaving just hours for the bicycle industry and community to respond. PeopleForBikes created detailed resources — including a template letter and talking points — to help companies and individuals submit comments quickly and effectively.
How to Act Now:
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Submit comments opposing both bicycle-related inclusion requests using the official links:
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Personalize your submission to explain how these tariffs will harm your business and customers.
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Sign on to the NBDA’s industrywide letter to show collective opposition and demonstrate the united strength of the bicycle community.
This is our industry's only opportunity to stop these tariffs before they take effect. Submitting comments TODAY is critical to protect U.S. bicycle retailers, manufacturers, and consumers, along with the national cycling ecosystem we've all worked hard to build.
About PeopleForBikes
PeopleForBikes is a national bicycle advocacy nonprofit and the U.S. bicycle industry's trade association representing more than 340 bicycle industry supplier members and nearly 1.4 million individual supporters. Through our three areas of influence — infrastructure, policy, and participation — we accelerate the construction of safe, fun, and connected places to bike, advance pro-bike and pro-bike-business legislation; and reduce barriers to welcome more people to the joys of riding a bike. Our goal: become the best place in the world to ride a bike. Join us at peopleforbikes.org and donate to support our work.
About the NBDA
The National Bicycle Dealers Association is the premier trade association for specialty bicycle retailers, dedicated to supporting independent dealers through advocacy, education, and industry partnerships. The NBDA provides comprehensive resources, including retailer education programs, profitability initiatives, advocacy efforts, and networking opportunities designed to strengthen the specialty bicycle retail sector across North America. The NBDA is a non-profit organization that strives to elevate the bicycle retail industry and empower dealers for long-term success. NBDA membership is open to retailers, individuals, suppliers and providers, mobile units, and other non-profits. The NBDA community is the most active in the industry, providing real-time solutions and support to help businesses succeed and strengthen cycling communities nationwide. For more information about the NBDA and its initiatives, please visit www.nbda.com.
