Direct from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce:
“Our climate is changing and humans are contributing to these changes. Inaction is simply not an option.
Combating climate change will require citizens, government, and business to work together. American businesses play a vital role in creating innovative solutions to protect our planet.”
The bike industry is in a unique position for taking action on the climate. That’s especially the case for bike dealers, working the front line of our industry. Many of us are serving as energy-saving evangelists, promoting bikes and e-bikes as low-carbon, affordable, healthy transportation. In addition, some dealers are starting to encounter the negatives of climate change, as are our customers, with trails damaged or destroyed from fire and erosion.
Replacing cars with bikes and having each of our shops make efforts to reduce their carbon footprint contributes to greenhouse gas reductions. But those actions will take us only a small part of the way. Much more is needed. We have a long way to go and not a lot of time to make a difference.
We have learned there is a federal policy under consideration in Congress that will have far greater, economy-wide impact on carbon emissions reductions, AND IT CAN SERVE AS A LONG-TERM BOOST FOR THE CYCLING INDUSTRY. The legislation is to place a steadily rising price on carbon emissions and return all of that money to citizens – your customers and employees. Many economists project this basic concept will reduce carbon emissions by 40% within the next 12 years while encouraging energy innovation that will create jobs.
We have also learned about an initiative through Business Climate Leaders that gives the cycling industry an opportunity to inform members of Congress that they support carbon pricing as a simple, effective, broad-based approach to climate change mitigation. We encourage you to review the Biking Industry Climate Declaration which is a statement of support for effective federal carbon pricing.
With enough endorsements, this declaration will be presented to members of Congress – of both parties – to show support for action on climate.
Carbon pricing as a market-based solution toward carbon emissions reductions is supported by major business associations including:
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce
- Business Roundtable (CEOs from 200 leading businesses such as Ford, Amazon, BP, Boeing and more)
- 3,600 luminary economists
- Health and environmental organizations
As you review the Climate Declaration, you’ll also see an opportunity to optionally endorse specific legislation – The Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act. This legislation provides specific guidelines for increases in the carbon fee, returning carbon fees back to households in the form of carbon dividends in equal shares, protecting U.S. trade and other considerations.
While NBDA does not formally endorse Carbon Pricing, nor the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, we do encourage bike dealers to be sufficiently informed on issues relating to Climate Change, methods towards mitigation and options they can take to influence members of Congress.
Repeating the U.S. Chamber of Commerce –
“Inaction is simply not an option.”
The NBDA has been here since 1946, representing and empowering specialty bicycle dealers in the United States through education, communications, research, advocacy, member discount programs, and promotional opportunities. As shops are facing never-before-seen circumstances, these resources offer a lifeline. Together, we will weather this. We at the NBDA will not waver in our commitment to serving our members even during this challenging time—but we need your support.
Now is the time to become a member as we join together to make one another stronger. Whether you’re a retailer or an industry partner, your membership in the NBDA is one of the best investments you’ll make this year.
Learn more about the benefits of being a member and join now.