Celebrate 25 Years of PeopleForBikes

Since 1999, PeopleForBikes has worked to ensure bikes are prioritized and positioned as a real solution to improve Americans’ health, connect communities, boost local and state economies, and protect our planet. Today, we represent 1.4 million individual supporters just like you who all believe in the power of the bike.

OUR GOALMAKE THE U.S. THE BEST PLACE IN THE WORLD TO RIDE A BIKE

SUPPORT THE NEXT 25 YEARS

The Impact of Our Work

Connected Communities

“I am convinced that bicycling helps strengthen the fabric of society as a whole, as well as communities. Biking also helps generations connect, as most people, from children to elders, can learn to bike. Biking even benefits those who do not or cannot bike, because it gets more people out of their cars.”

— Diana M.

Safer Streets

“I'm pleasantly surprised by how much commuting by e-bike has improved my daily life! I feel much safer knowing that I can get all the way from my house to my office on protected bike lanes and separate trail systems.”

— Sarah F.

Healthier Lives

“Since taking up cycling in my retirement, I find rewarding scenery, making friends, and exercise to be benefits that have enriched my life greatly. I enjoy introducing trails to my friends, and learning from them as well.”

— Rebecca W.

YOUR DONATION MAKES YOU A PEOPLEFORBIKES MEMBER.

Your membership is essential in creating more great places to ride a bike.

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Celebrating 25 Years of PeopleForBikes

Come along for the ride as we pedal down memory lane, reflecting on a quarter century of improving biking across America alongside famous moments from pop culture to show just how far we’ve come.

1999

Bikes Belong forms.

10 bike industry companies come together and put competition aside to form Bikes Belong. Wanting to show that bikes belong in all transportation and recreation strategies for the 21st century, the organization’s mission was simple: put more people on bikes more often.

Regis Philbin takes the stage to introduce the game show “Who Wants to Be A Millionaire?” The show aired for the next 20 years.

2000

Bikes Belong co-creates and funds America Bikes, successfully pushing for major bike infrastructure investments across the U.S.

Eminem releases the fastest-selling rap album at the time.

2004

Bikes Belong names Tim Blumenthal as president and headquarters moves to Boulder, Colorado.

Bikes Belong’s annual operating budget reaches $1 million.

Supplier and retailer membership dues were the primary revenue source, supplemented by contributions from a growing bike industry employee pro purchase program.

Facebook debuts and becomes the world's largest social media platform.

2005

The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) becomes law and generates close to $4 billion in funding for bike and pedestrian projects during the next six years.

Tom Cruise jumps for joy on Oprah's couch.

2006

Bikes Belong Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is founded with a focus on supporting two projects — the Safe Routes to School National Partnership and the Paul David Clark Bicycle Safety Fund.

The Safe Routes to School National Partnership grew quickly during its first eight years — so much so that PeopleForBikes supported it becoming an independent organization in April 2014.

make biking safer in your neighborhood

The International Astronomical Union approves a measure to remove Pluto from the list of planets.

2008

Bikes Belong collaborates with the City of Denver to pilot the first bike share program in the U.S. at the Democratic National Convention, highlighting the benefits of bicycling on a national stage.

Barack Obama is elected as the 44th President of the United States.

2010

Bikes Belong launches a major new campaign called PeopleForBikes to create a national movement to improve bicycling by uniting one million individuals.

Apple releases the first generation iPad.

2012

The Green Lane Project launches, accelerating the construction of protected bike lanes in cities across the U.S. during the next five years.

Bikes Belong hosts its first international study tour, bringing politicians, business leaders, city planners, and community advocates to European cities like Amsterdam and Copenhagen to showcase best practices from the world's best cities for biking.

get protected bike lanes in your community

Tinder launches and becomes the world's most popular app for meeting new people.

2013

Bikes Belong rebrands as PeopleForBikes.

Midway through 2013, the staff and board made the collective decision to rebrand the entire organization as PeopleForBikes. Both the Coalition and Foundation were renamed and all legal paperwork and trademark registrations were filed.

The Jonas Brothers cancel their tour and announce they are breaking up.

2014

Working with bike retailers across the country, PeopleForBikes reaches 1 million individual supporters, showcasing a nationwide passion for better biking.

The Ice Bucket Challenge goes viral on social media, raising awareness for ALS.

2015

California legalizes electric bicycles and classifies them using PeopleForBikes’ model three-class system. ⚡️

The Supreme Court strikes down state bans in gay marriage, giving same-sex couples the legal right to marry nationwide.

2016

A new “PlacesForBikes” campaign is developed, focusing on rating cities around the world for bicycling and assisting government leaders in making riding a bike safe and convenient for everyone.

⚡️ electric bicycle bills are passed in 2 more states

The 2016 Summer Olympics are held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

2017

The Better Bike Share Partnership begins to increase access to and use of shared micromobility systems (bike share) in low-income and BIPOC communities.

PeopleForBikes’ Big Jump project launches, working with 10 U.S. cities to rapidly increase the number of people riding bikes through expanded public outreach and the accelerated construction of complete bike networks.

help get more people on bikes

⚡️ electric bicycle bills are passed in 4 more states

Tik Tok is born.

2018

The Final Mile program begins, accelerating the construction of hundreds of miles of new bike infrastructure in five U.S. cities in just two years. The program also developed a playbook for any city looking to quickly build quality, connected bike infrastructure.

PeopleForBikes’ first annual City Ratings are released, measuring the quality of bicycling in U.S. and international cities and providing elected officials and advocates with actionable lessons to improve bicycling locally.

⚡️ electric bicycle bills are passed in 4 more states

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle tie the knot.

2019

The PeopleForBikes Coalition merges with the Bicycle Product Suppliers Association, creating a unified trade association and amplifying the voice and influence of the bike industry nationwide.

PeopleForBikes launches Ride Spot at the Sea Otter Classic, a ride tracking and sharing platform designed to help break down the barriers to biking.

⚡️ electric bicycle bills are passed in 12 more states

Simone Biles becomes the most decorated gymnast ever.

2020

Jenn Dice becomes PeopleForBikes' new president and CEO.

COVID-19 causes nationwide shutdowns, but PeopleForBikes fights to make sure bike shops and bicycling are declared essential.

PeopleForBikes creates the Business Intelligence Hub, providing industry members with critical data and market insights during the unforgettable pandemic bike boom.

⚡️ electric bicycle bills are passed in 5 more states

Tiger King becomes a sensation.

2021

Federal legislators introduce the E-BIKE Act to create a refundable tax credit for purchasing an electric bicycle.

MAKE E-BIKES ACCESSIBLE FOR EVERYONE

⚡️ electric bicycle bills are passed in 8 more states

The Mandalorian debuts and the world falls in love with Baby Yoda.

2022

PeopleForBikes’ inaugural SHIFT‘22 conference takes place in Bentonville, Arkansas, bringing together future bike industry leaders to create a brighter future for bikes.

⚡️ electric bicycle bills are passed in 3 more states

Will Smith slaps Oscars host Chris Rock before an astounded global audience.

2023

PeopleForBikes introduces the Great Bike Infrastructure Project, tracking thousands of bike projects across all 50 states.

SUPPORT BIKE PROJECTS NEAR YOU

Hungry For Batteries provides an e-bike battery recycling solution for riders and manufacturers and marks the first transportation industry in the U.S. united under a single recycling solution.

⚡️ ELECTRIC BICYCLE BILLS ARE PASSED IN THREE more STATES, BRINGING THE TOTAL TO 41 🎉

Taylor Swift's Eras Tour surpasses $1 billion in revenue, becoming the highest grossing music tour in history.

The Impact of Our Work

Celebrating 25 Years of PeopleForBikes

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