Calling All Bike Shops: Come to the National Bike Summit for Free!

As a bike shop owner, your bottom line is high on your priority list. Keeping up sales means making sure you have great product, loyal customers and knowledgeable staff. It also means constantly working to build your customer base.

National Bike Summit attendees in 2012 enjoying the Anacostia Rive Trail in Washington, DC

So many folks across the U.S. are interested in biking but may not feel safe taking to the roads — at least, not at first. Without a bike trail or separated bike lane, they may not start biking at all. Without federal funds, those trails and facilities may not get built.

But one thing is for sure: Without the strong, united voice of advocates and bike shops participating in the National Bike Summit, our members of Congress won’t know the incredible impact those bike projects have in local communities.

The National Bike Summit is the premiere advocacy event of the year for bike shops and anyone else interested in securing funding for bike infrastructure. More than 800 retailers, advocates, and cycling enthusiasts of all kinds come together to tell Congress about the benefits of bicycling and make the case for federal funding and pro-bicycling policies. This year’s theme is Bicycling Means Business. That doesn’t just mean we’re serious about showing elected officials that bicycling is important. It also highlights what you already know: When more people bike, your business improves.

NBDA understands the close relationship between bike funding and the success of bicycle retailers. That’s why they are generously offering 24 scholarships to first-time Summit attendees who work at bike shops. Not only will this scholarship pay for your registration for the 2013 National Bike Summit, but it will also fund your travel and lodging (up to $625). One retailer who attended the Summit in 2012 remarked that, “with all of the things we are faced with as retailers, I feel this could be the most important event…[we] need to convince our peers to go to this event… this is important.”

Ready to apply? Click here!