We’re making biking better in South Dakota through funding local bike projects, supporting pro-bike policies and legislation at the local and state levels and highlighting great hometown routes on Ride Spot.

We recently awarded $50,000 to eight projects across eight states through our spring Industry Community Grants Program. 

PeopleForBikes, a national bicycling advocacy and industry trade organization dedicated to putting more people on bikes more often and making biking better for everyone, announced its latest round of community grants. After a short hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the latest grant round for spring 2021 totals $50,000 and includes eight projects across eight states. 

PeopleForBikes’ Industry Community Grants Program is funded through the Employee Pro Purchase program, which collects donations from individuals who work in the bike industry and take advantage of pro-pricing discounts on new bikes and bicycling equipment. Batch, Cannondale, Giant, Niner, Shimano, Trek and Vaast currently participate. Since 1999, the PeopleForBikes Industry Community Grants Program has funded more than 400 projects in all 50 states totaling more than $3.6 million in direct funds and leveraged more than $775 million. The total funding this year represents more than 2,500 individuals in the bike industry who gave back to grow bicycling through an employee pro purchase. 

“Our industry has a long history of giving back and investing in important bike projects across the country,” said Jenn Dice, president and CEO of PeopleForBikes. “We thank the seven companies and thousands of employees that contribute to this important program and are excited for the newest group of inspiring projects that will improve communities through bicycling and leverage even more investment.” 

Recycled Tires as Bike Lane Barriers - Broad Ave. Demonstration Project | $10,000
Memphis, TN 

The Binghampton Development Corporation (BDC), in partnership with the City of Memphis, will use this grant to pilot a 1.2-mile demonstration project using upcycled car tires as bike lane barriers. If successful, the BDC will help launch an employee-owned business to produce the barriers as part of its new Business Hub. 

Families Come Together to Play | $8,000 
Porcupine, SD 

PeopleForBikes’ grant will fund a bike repair station and bike racks for the community center and multigenerational playground on the Pine Ridge Reservation. This project is part of a larger development led by the Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation to provide community and recreational spaces for the Lakota people. 

Oak Creek School Mountain Bike Skills Park | $7,500 
Cornville, AZ 

Verde Valley Wheel Fun will use PeopleForBikes’ funding to build a mountain bike skills park on school property to serve the rural school population. A youth-led project to build a fitness course will be located adjacent, providing opportunities and motivation to get students outside and active. 

Mott Park Bicycle Garden | $6,600 
Flint, MI 

An unused tennis court in this urban neighborhood park will become a new traffic garden where local youth can learn bike skills. Spearheaded by the Mott Park Neighborhood Association in collaboration with the Flint Public Art Project, this facility will resemble and reflect the streets surrounding it. 

OSPREYS Bike Rack and Bike Repair Station | $5,000 
Ocean Springs, MS 

Ocean Springs Pedestrians and Residents for Exercise and Youth Safety (OSPREYS) has been working diligently to make its community safer and more appealing for people walking and biking. This funding, matched by a contribution from the city, will be used to purchase and install eight bike racks and two bike repair stations near popular destinations. 

Ben's Bike Playground | $5,000 
Chugiak, AK 

PeopleForBikes’ grant will support the construction of the first pump track in the Anchorage area. The facility will prioritize beginner-level features to attract kids and families and is named for a founding member and beloved coach who passed away in a car crash last winter. 

MKE Modular Parklet | $4,900 
Milwaukee, WI 

The Wisconsin Bicycle Federation will use this grant to build a demonstration parklet including seating, flex space/stage area, bike parking and a small pump track. The parklet will travel to several locations, hosted by business improvement districts throughout the City of Milwaukee, before being awarded to one permanent home. 

Enabling Active Transportation for Low-Income People of All Ages and Abilities | $3,000 
Austin, TX 

Working in partnership with local nonprofits and low-income/affordable housing sites, Ghisallo Cycling Initiative will provide bikes, locks and helmets to residents and use this funding to build and install two bike parking corrals where residents can secure their new bikes. 

Do you work in the bike industry and are interested in supporting PeopleForBikes and our Industry Community Grants Program? Contact PeopleForBikes Director of Membership and Industry Engagement Rod Judd (rod@peopleforbikes.org) to enroll your company in the Employee Pro Purchase program. The more companies we have participate, the more funding we have to support amazing local projects that get more people on bikes.

Introducing Our Spring 2021 Community Grants Recipients 

2019 started with 11 states using the model three-class e-bike definitions. As of June 19, 22 states now define e-bikes within the three classes, effectively doubling the total in just six months. These eleven new states are: Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming.

A few major themes can be attributed to this success. First, states follow each others’ leads and seek regional consistency in how they treat e-bikes, so there’s momentum. Second, the e-bike market is booming and states recognize that riders need consistent and common-sense rules for where they can be ridden.

Last but not least, the unwavering support from the industry led directly to these wins. Without the above and beyond contributions raised by the BPSA E-Bike Committee to build on-the-ground teams in each of these states, making this much progress in one year would not have been possible. The companies that supported the e-bike initiative in 2019 are: Accell North America, Allegion/Kryptonite, Bosch, Brose, Bulls, Cycling Sports Group, DT Swiss, Envelo, Fantic, Felt, Foldaway Solutions, Fox, Genze, Giant, GM, Harley Davidson, Hi-Power Cycles, Ohm Cycles, Oregon E-Bikes, Pacific Cycle, Pedego, REI, Riese and Muller, Rocky Mountain, Shimano, Specialized, Sport Technik/M1, SRAM, Suzhou Bafang, Taioku, Tempo Bicycles, Tern, TranzX, Trek, Yamaha and Yuba.

In 2015, the BPSA and PeopleForBikes began this national campaign to pass clear e-bike legislation in all 50 states in order to create stability in the marketplace. E-bike manufacturers put aside competitive differences to develop the three class system around critical issues like motor assist, pedal assist, wattage and operational rules.

Good e-bike laws are completely changing business models and customer bases. In states where the three class system of e-bikes has passed, suppliers report that sales of e-bikes more than double. On the local level, bike retailers in states with this law report that having a statewide three class e-bike system helps their team clearly explain where e-bikes are and aren’t allowed, and e-bike sales help offset the loss of revenue due to other declining categories.

Most importantly good e-bike laws are leading to better e-bike access. For example, after Wyoming legislators passed the state’s three class e-bike law in February, Wyoming State Parks decided to allow Class 1 eMTBs anywhere a traditional mountain bike is allowed, and even opted to conduct a Class 2 pilot project. A number of local trail access wins from Virginia to Arizona can be attributed to land managers recognizing the increase of eMTB use and creating consistency with the three classes of e-bikes and state laws.

22 States Now Follow the Three Class E-bike System, Doubling Total in Six Months

Pedaling along city paths or winding country roads, bicycle tourists are rewarded with unique vantage points and stunning views — it’s a travel experience unlike any other. And, as networks of bike trails continue to expand and connect, more journeys destinations than ever are safely accessible by bike. But taking advantage of these extensive networks by traditional pedal bike isn’t feasible for all riders; fortunately, electric bikes make long-distance tours accessible to a broader audience.

Before you take off on a cross-country e-bike tour, there are a few things you should know about long-distance riding on e-bikes:

Plan for the life of your battery. Know the range of your bike’s battery and plan accordingly, whether that means mapping out charging stops or carting along a spare.

Anticipate service needs. Research bike shops along your route to find out where you can get your bike serviced for any necessary maintenance or repairs — not all shops will be able to accommodate e-bikes.

Keep an open mind. Even with the pedal assist, consecutive days of riding can be tiresome. Map out your route to include options for early stopping points or rest days.

For those wanting to tackle a ride greater than 100 miles on an e-bike, the country’s rails-to-trails system is the perfect place to plot a bike tour. With nearly 25,000 miles of trail spanning a myriad of tourist-friendly trail towns, the network holds abundant opportunities for exploration.

To plan your own e-bike tour, the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy’s TrailLink is an outstanding resource. It allows riders to search for trails by city, state, zip code or keyword. Detailed descriptions of the trail — from geography to history to availability of restrooms and parking — accompany links to websites and maps.* For those who would rather let someone else handle the logistics, many tour companies offer e-bike options on their catered bike tours.

To help kickstart your next pedal-assisted adventure, we’ve listed some of our favorite long-distance rides that are open to e-bikes. Regulations and rules can change frequently, so it’s always best to check the managing agency’s website before you travel.

The Katy Trail
A Missouri state park, the Katy Trail spans nearly the full width of Missouri — nearly 240 miles. The trail passes through a link of small towns boasting cozy accommodations, tasty restaurants and easy access to transportation. Oenophiles in particular will enjoy the stretch of trail near Hermann, with more than 10 tucked in the rolling hillside.

The Mickelson Trail
In the heart of the Black Hills of South Dakota, the Mickelson Trail leads riders down 109 miles of crushed limestone rail trail containing more than 100 converted railroad bridges and four rock tunnels. It’s easy to combine the Mickelson with paved routes in nearby Badlands National Park.

The Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) Trail
The GAP Trail is the longest rail trail east of the Mississippi River. On the 150-mile trail, travelers ride from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Cumberland, Maryland. For those looking for a longer tour, it’s possible to plan a multi-day, 333-mile bike tour to Washington, D.C., by connecting to the 184.5-mile C&O Canal Towpath. This route visits three states (Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia) and the District of Columbia, and passes through four national parks: the C&O Canal, Antietam Battlefield, Harpers Ferry and Rock Creek Park.

Trail of the Coeur d’Alene/Route of the Hiawatha
These Idaho rail trails can be combined to form a 90-mile ride through the West’s scenic natural beauty while also traveling through time. A highlight is the Taft Tunnel, which traverses between Idaho and Montana under the crest of the rugged Bitterroot Mountains. The tunnel was once used by the former Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad, also known as the “Milwaukee Road.”.

Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail
Like the other rail trails of the West, the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail follows the corridor of the Milwaukee Road. The trail showcases the impressive construction of the railbed with its tunnels and trestles while also taking riders through a stunning array of ecosystems — including coniferous forests, arid farmland and deeply cut river canyons.

The Paul Bunyan State Trail
This 123-mile paved trail is rich in Minnesota history: Thirteen recorded prehistoric sites have been identified along the trail. Now, the landscape bears marks of more recent mining and logging activity, and the towns that dot the trail tell tales of how the area was developed. For a longer trip, the unpaved Blue Ox Trail extends northward from Lake Bemidji State Park for another 90 miles, forming one of the longest rail-to-trail conversions in the country.

Taking the Scenic Route: Long-Distance E-Bike Adventures

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Kiwanis Park Trails Around Mitchel Lake

Distance: 2.7 miles

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Distance: 15 Miles

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News

Introducing Our Spring 2021 Community Grants Recipients

22 States Now Follow the Three Class E-bike System, Doubling Total in Six Months

Taking the Scenic Route: Long-Distance E-Bike Adventures