PeopleForBikes launched the America Builds Bikes initiative, a new industry effort to support companies that want to manufacture or assemble more bicycles in the United States.
The central element of the initiative is the bipartisan U.S. Bicycle Production and Assembly Act (H.R. 3904), legislation that would make domestic bicycle production a more viable option by reducing tariff barriers on imported components used in U.S. assembly.
"PeopleForBikes is working to ensure companies that want to build or assemble bicycles in the United States have a realistic pathway to do so, " said Jenn Dice, president and CEO of PeopleForBikes.
"The America Builds Bikes initiative will strengthen bicycle industry supply chains, create new domestic production jobs, and drive economic growth in communities across the country."
The United States used to be a major global producer of bicycles. As recently as 1997, about 9 million bicycles — 75% of the U.S. market — were produced on U.S. soil.
Today, more than 97% of bicycles sold in the United States are imported. While some companies are interested in expanding domestic production, high tariffs on components that are not manufactured at a large scale domestically make producing complete bikes in the U.S. economically difficult.
Introduced by Reps. Vern Buchanan (R-FL) and Mike Thompson (D-CA), the U.S. Bicycle Production and Assembly Act would break down barriers to domestic bicycle production by establishing a 10-year duty-free import window for bicycle components used by companies manufacturing or assembling bicycles in the United States. The legislation also sets goals of producing 2 million bicycles annually in the U.S. within five years and 5 million bicycles annually within 10 years.
PeopleForBikes launched a new web resource supporting the America Builds Bikes initiative, bringing together an overview of the legislation, bill text, a downloadable fact sheet, and perspectives from bicycle companies interested in expanding U.S. production. It also includes an easy-to-use tool to contact your members of Congress in support of the U.S. Bicycle Production and Assembly Act.
The initiative represents months of collaboration between PeopleForBikes, bicycle manufacturers, suppliers, and congressional leaders to advance practical, bipartisan solutions that strengthen the U.S. bicycle industry and create more opportunities for domestic production.
Learn more at AmericaBuildsBikes.org.
About PeopleForBikes
PeopleForBikes is the U.S. bicycle industry's trade association, representing more than 340 bicycle industry supplier members. 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 bicycle. Our goal: Help the United States become the best place in the world to ride a bike. Join us and learn more at peopleforbikes.org.
