BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (BRAIN) — Quality Bicycle Products released two reports detailing external diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts under its 2022 Accountability Report and DEI Strategic Plan.
The 2022 Accountability Report includes updates on QBP's progress toward a 10-year commitment of setting goals focused on raising funds for community bike projects, increasing diversity within cycling and the industry, volunteering with local organizations, and creating more safe places to ride.
Some of the highlights from the Accountability Report report include:
- Together with participating Dealer's Choice partner suppliers, QBP contributed $125,000 to 14 underserved community bicycle-focused projects in 2022. The project total now stands at 29 and the total investment is $225,000.
- Funded by QBP and created by Darrow Jones, Break the Cycle, which trains BIPOC students in foundational bike mechanic skills, graduated 100 students from the Level 1 program and 24 students from the Level 2 program last year. Since QBP made its 10-year commitment, 131 students have graduated.
- Supporting employees with paid volunteer time, QBP doubled its annual allowance, and in 2022, employees volunteered 1,627 hours to local causes and organizations.
- The Q Equity and Diversity Internship program provides positions for students from underrepresented communities and identities to provide career paths and create a pipeline of diverse candidates. Last year, QBP hired seven interns in marketing, supply chain and logistics, software development, purchasing, credit, and engineering. Since making the commitment, QBP has hired 12 interns.
The DEI Strategic Plan was developed by DEI Manager Elyse Rylander and includes insights on QBP's work in this area along with plans for continued progress through 2024. The document serves as a way to publicly share information and inspire companies looking for ideas to deepen DEI work.
"We're sharing insights into our first-ever multi-year Diversity, Equity and Inclusion strategy in hopes that it will support others along their DEI journey and create deeper transparency around what Q is doing to strive toward more equitable cycling companies and communities," said QBP President Rich Tauer.
