Here’s how you can support BIPOC cyclists alongside the cycling industry – Blacking out social media may help spread the word about our support for Black lives, but now we need to put our images and words into action. Cycling, and the outdoor recreation industry in general, has historically not been inclusive to women & people of color. We applaud the companies that are making diverse hiring and sponsorship decisions and pledge to do more ourselves with continued coverage on Bikerumor.
We’ve rounded up this week’s Advocacy & Contests posts, most of which center on the increased #BlackLivesMatter activity this past week. Learn what BIPOC means if you haven’t already (btw, it’s Black, Indigenous & People of Color) and see what you can do to help.
Whether that’s peacefully assembling to have your voice heard, donating to one of the causes below (that might win you some great gear, too), buying from and patronizing BIPOC businesses, or just diversifying your Instagram feed to expose yourself to more BIPOC cyclists. These are some simple, positive actions you can take to make cycling better for you, me and everyone.
Advocacy & Contests
- Bikepacking Roots announces BIPOC Bike Adventure Grant – Amid these particularly challenging times, Arizona’s Bikepacking Roots has announced a new grant program to help address racial inequalities related to access to outdoor experiences. The BIPOC Bike Adventure Grant will provide funding to recipients for an empowering bike adventure of their choosing and will help elevate the recipients’ voices. It’s a small step forward, but Bikepacking Roots hope it will spur additional action. All contributions of any amount are appreciated, and 100% will go to grant recipients. BikepackingRoots.org
- Harrison custom bike raffle from Don’t Shoot PDX – Dan Harrison is the lead frame builder at Speedvagen, and has offered a custom bike to raise money for Don’t Shoot PDX. Annalisa at Endurance PDX will give a custom bike fit. Bicycle Crumbs will design an amazing custom paint design, which Patrick Collier will paint. All the money raised in the raffle will go straight to Don’t Shoot PDX. Head over to them to make a donation & send the receipt to Harrison. $10=10 entries, $25=30 entries, $50=70 entries. Enter as many times as you want.
- SRAM is figuring it out, takes action against racial inequality – SRAM recognizes that there needs to be change, in cycling and beyond. So they are taking immediate steps to: expand partnerships & support of Black athletes; demonstrate that representation in media matters; work internally to better understand racial inequality (and how to fight it); and commit to continual listening & learning. Plus, money where their mouth is… “We also will increase our financial commitment to support people of color in cycling in excess of $100,000 USD over the next 12 months.”
- Specialized steps up, commits to huge change – They basically put it out to the community and asked for suggestions. And then, Specialized wrote every single one of them down. First up, $10Million over the next 3 years to their Outride non-profit to build the next generation of cyclists. Then, extra funds to support Legion of LA for increasing diversity in racing. Then, joining the WTF Bikexplorers Cycling Industry Pledge, further commitment to amplifying BIPOC voices & causes, and it won’t stop there.
- #25MilesForJustice: log 25 miles for Floyd, donate to the NAACP – State Bicycles‘ co-founder Medhi Farsi has “seen skyrocketing demand for our uniquely value-focused bicycles, and have worked hard to provide an affordable option to riders seeking a new bike… We serve many new and aspirational riders and recognize that bicycles are tools for transportation as well as physical and mental fitness, and our mission is to support the cycling community. Right now, part of that support is getting more bikes into the hands of riders who want them.” They also know the need to do more, to use their platform to amplify voices. So State is supporting the #25MilesForJustice campaign started by Garnett Whitmire, asking riders to log 25 miles in memory of George Floyd and donate to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.
- Mars & Bilenky raffle a complete custom bike for the cause – “People desperately need our help.” So, Mars & Bilenky Cycle Works are holding a raffle for a complete, custom, drop bar bike built by Mars Cycles and Stephen Bilenky in collaboration. $50 per entry, 6 entries for $250, Venmo @marscycles to enter. The winner will be announced next Thu, June 11. All proceeds will be donated to Philly for REAL Justice in Philadelphia and Black Visions Collective in Minneapolis.
- Paul raffles off brakes (Act Fast!) to support MNWfPC – Today’s raffle ends in just a few hours to benefit for MN Women for Political Change who support the local Minneapolis community throughout the protests with resources, food, supplies & mutual aid to those in need. To get a ticket, head to Paul’s Instagram for instructions. Act fast, it closes today at 10am PST, to get this pair of brakes, brake levers, bottle & bandanna.
- 44 Bikes donates a months worth of online earnings – “To all communities and races of color: Know that I stand tall with you, hand in hand, heart to heart. When we are united, we will prevail.” For the month of June, 44 Bikes is committing all of the profit from online sales to be donated directly to the George Floyd Memorial Fund. Link in profile. Support with your dollars: 44bikes.com/shop
- Machines for Freedom matches support to rebuild Minneapolis – Machines for Freedom are matching donations of those support the movements, organizations, and campaigns that fight for liberty of Black lives, up to $10k. And yes, supporters stepped up. And the $20,000 was raised. But it doesn’t stop there. There’s more work to be done. They know there’s a lot of tough conversations to have, a lot of oppression to dismantle. And are making those steps.
- Hoot Ventures raffle bags to support Minnesota Freedom Fund – Hoot Ventures was really one of the first out of the box with a fundraiser, challenging other brands to do it too – to take advantage of their social media presence to do good. While they were protesting on the streets, one of their little snack bags raised $11,000 worth to support the Minnesota Freedom Fund. But MFF raised so much money, they asked to help more locally, so Hoot shifted their support to local MIGIZI (who supports Native American youth in their community) lost its building due to fires, and to Black Table Arts who organize black artists, build community power, educate local communities & create spaces for leadership to thrive.
- Bicycle Pubes is even helping out in a fundraising raffle – In a move of solidarity, they’re supporting this raffle to benefit Campaign Zero, Black Vision Collective, and MN Women for Political Change. “Black Lives Matter. We need to start putting actions behind our words.” Details on how to donate, how to enter over at the Pubes Instagram before June 11.
- Liv puts up money to support their call of Black Lives Matter – “Words matter. And they are not enough. We must fight racism with our actions.” As a first step, Liv Cycling have committed $20,000 to organizations working to end practices that unfairly hold Black people back and to champion solutions that move us all forward. “We see you. We hear you. And we will fight for you.”
- Revelate halts cooperation with law enforcement – Revelate Designs saw police using bicycles as weapons against peaceful protesters, and basically decided to not work with the police again. Their Ranger frame bags had been sold to a company that was using them to outfit several major police departments. That was never really part of their “mission to provide innovative bikepacking gear for human powered adventures”. And to make up for it, they’re taking all the revenue they made in the last year from these bags that went to police bikes, and donating it to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.
- Find out even more places to help! – If that list isn’t enough (it’s just what a couple of us have pulled together from our own feeds), there are plenty more helpers. Look for them like Mr. Rogers taught you! Have a look at Tara Seplavy’s Twitter feed. She’s a former product director at GT, and has both put together a number of bike companies doing different things, from statements to actions. And she’s opened up for more people to share links and whatnot. Make a difference people!
- Raise money to fight COVID-19 climbing with Kate – It’s a crazy time and there are plenty of causes to work towards. Don’t forget the pandemic has been an uphill battle for everyone, even pro mountain bike athletes, too. So, Kate Courtney wants to climb out of it together! Join the for the #climbforcovidrelief challenge to be part of a community of cyclists pushing their limits while raising money for the World Health Organization COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund. The official #Climbforcovidrelief – Strava challenge will take place starting today, June 5-14th and challenge athletes all around the world across all cycling disciplines (and ability levels!) to climb 10,00′ in 10 days. Support their collective efforts by donating to individual fundraising pages or to the Climb for Covid Relief team. Find out more and join in via: fundraise.UNFoundation.org
Institutional racism and fundamental inequality pervades society. The USA is not alone in this. It’s not so much a political issue, although voting for the right people can certainly help, but simply a human rights issue. Equality is a simple concept, but much harder to practice. We need to work harder!
