Tariffs Are Hurting the Bike Industry — The NBDA Is Taking Action
Sweeping trade policies are creating turbulence throughout the bicycle world, from the factories crafting components to the local shops serving riders. Rising costs, unpredictable supply chains, tighter profit margins for retailers, and wavering consumer confidence are all symptoms of this escalating pressure. Recognizing the strain on bicycle businesses and the communities they support, the NBDA is actively pedaling forward, advocating for sensible and equitable trade practices.
How Tariffs Are Impacting You
The imposition and expansion of tariffs are placing significant pressure on the bike industry, leading to:
- Increased costs on components and finished goods
- Supply chain uncertainty and delays
- Reduced profit margins for independent retailers
- Higher prices for consumers, hurting demand and access
The NBDA’s Proactive Response:
We’re tackling these challenges head-on with a comprehensive advocacy strategy:
- Retailer Letter Campaign: We’re urging retailers to write to Congress now — our letter-writing template makes it easy to share your story and voice your concerns.
- Engaging Legislators: We’re actively building a relationship with Congressman Mike Thompson’s office, who leads the Congressional Bike Caucus, to ensure retailer perspectives are heard.
- Economic Impact Survey: Help us better understand the depth of the tariff impact — take the survey now. The more data we gather, the stronger our case.
- Supplier Collaboration: We are working with suppliers to identify how they plan to address tariffs in their pricing and programs — and to advocate for retailer protections.
The NBDA remains committed to supporting you during these challenging times. We’ve been actively working on behalf of our retailers and the entire industry in response to the looming tariff increases that threaten the sustainability of bicycle businesses across the country.
How You Can Be Part of the Solution:
This is a challenge that demands a united front. Your direct engagement is vital in ensuring legislators understand the real-world impact of these proposed tariffs on your business, your employees, and your local community.
Join the movement by:
- Writing to your elected officials using our NBDA Provided Letter Templates-
- Use the provided letter template to contact your congressional representative with a clear outline of how these tariffs will affect your shop—be specific about potential job losses, increased prices, and operational strain.
- Find your representative here.
- Meet with local officials and collaborate with neighboring businesses to strengthen your message.
- Send a copy of your letter to NBDA President Heather Mason, so she can hand-deliver your message directly to Congressman Mike Thompson, Chair of the Congressional Bike Caucus. Your voice can be amplified at the highest levels of advocacy.
- Sharing your tariff impact stories with us — we need real voices
- Participating in our Economic Impact Survey
- Supporting NBDA’s advocacy with your membership and engagement
If you are an association member or an individual member of the NBDA, we respectfully ask for your support in this initiative by reaching out to your dealer networks and encouraging them to take similar action. We have created a letter template for non-NBDA members, which can be found here. Sharing this resource can help amplify the message across the industry, beyond our membership.
Together, our collective strength will be the driving force for fair trade and a flourishing bicycle industry. The NBDA is your dedicated advocate in this critical fight.
