About the National Bicycle Dealers Association

Strengthening Specialty Bicycle Retailers since 1946

Strengthening Specialty Bicycle Retailers

Specialty Bicycle Retailers are the heart of the cycling industry and the National Bicycle Dealers Association exists to strengthen these businesses through education, research, communication, and advocacy. When we create thriving bicycle retailers the industry and the cycling community follows.

Who we are

The NBDA is a non-profit supported by the membership of participating retailers and industry partners. We are led by the NBDA president who is guided by a rotating Board of Directors made up of bicycle retail owners who have been nominated and elected by their fellow board members.

Our Mission: To Strengthen The Specialty Bicycle Retailer

This mission is accomplished through…

Communicating the value and needs of the Specialty Bicycle Retailer
Enhancing the Specialty Bicycle Retailer’s profitability
Promoting a passion for cycling.

Our Vision: Leading Bicycle Retailers to Excellence

This vision is accomplished through…

Education
Community
Research
Advocacy
Support

Speciality Bicycle Retailer

A Specialty Bicycle Retailer is a business dedicated to selling bicycles, cycling accessories, and related services, with a focus on providing expert knowledge and exceptional customer service. These retailers come in diverse shapes and sizes (single store, multi store, mobile and other) but all share similar characteristics as they cater to a diverse range of cycling enthusiasts, from casual riders to competitive cyclists, and typically offer personalized services such as bike fitting, maintenance, and repair.

Key characteristics of Specialty Bicycle Retailers often include:

Expertise: Staff members are often passionate cyclists with extensive knowledge of various bike types, brands, and accessories, enabling them to provide tailored advice and recommendations.
Product Range: They offer a curated selection of bicycles—including any combination of road, mountain, recreational, utility and e-bikes—and accessories such as helmets, clothing, and nutrition products.
Community Engagement: Many Specialty Bicycle Retailers actively engage with their local cycling communities by hosting events, group rides, and workshops, fostering a sense of camaraderie among cyclists.
Customer Service: These retailers prioritize customer experience, often providing personalized services like bike fittings and ongoing maintenance to ensure customer satisfaction and build long-term relationships.
Advocacy for Cycling: Specialty Bicycle Retailers often advocate for cycling as a healthy and sustainable mode of transportation, promoting safety and accessibility within their communities.

Overall, Specialty Bicycle Retailers play a crucial role in promoting cycling culture and supporting the needs of all cyclists and their journey within the sport.

What we do

NBDA activities and programming are created for businesses that sell and service bicycles by retailers, thought leaders, and industry experts.

Educational programs like webinars, podcasts, and consulting provide tangible solutions to retailers’ most pressing challenges, such as profitability, growth, management, and work-life balance.
Research activities include detailed reports on industry and retail trends to empower retailers to make data-driven business decisions.
Communication vehicles like our e-newsletter and blog, Outspokin’, keeps retailers in-the-know on the latest industry news and NBDA resources.
NBDA advocacy connects retailers and NBDA activities to organizations across the country that are dedicated to advancing cycling policy and infrastructure and acting on behalf of cyclists nationwide.

Annual Reports

NBDA 2023 Annual Report

Our Philosophy and Values

Philosophy

All NBDA activities are guided by the philosophy that specialty bicycle retailers are the best way to serve new and experienced riders, the community, and the bicycle industry, and to grow ridership.

Values

We strive to ensure our work and programming align with the core values to which we hold ourselves, our members, and our industry partners.

Integrity: We conduct our business ethically. We are trustworthy in our intentions and our actions.
Collaborative and Inclusive: We actively seek to work in partnership with others to grow bicycling and a healthy bicycle industry.
Excellence: We work to elevate others and everything that serves the bike industry and riders in excellence.
Responsible and Responsive: We listen to each other, our members, and others in the Bike Industry. We know it is up to us to be and make the changes that are necessary. We act responsibly, for sustainability and growth for all.
Entrepreneurial Spirit: We choose to welcome new ideas and new ways of doing business, believing that as the world of retail evolves, we must as well.