PeopleForBikes & BPSA announce full merger
PeopleForBikes Coalition (PFBC) and the Bicycle Product Suppliers Association (BPSA) have announced a full merger between the two organisations, with both boards unanimously approving the plan.
A joint letter addressed to the organisations’ members revealed that talks started between the respective leaders regarding a full merger around 18 months ago.
The organisations’ boards voted to approve the merger earlier this month, and on Thursday, a clear majority of BPSA members voted in favour of the proposition.
One combined organisation will begin operations on 1st July, and according to PFBC and BPSA the merger will bring its members a comprehensive package of business benefits.
The organisations gave this reason for the merger: “A merged bicycle trade organisation will benefit from the expertise of PeopleForBikes and BPSA professional staff, one combined strong financial backbone, and will continue to draw fully on the knowledge and volunteer commitments of bike industry leaders who serve on the BPSA board, traditional BPSA committees, as well as the PFBC board.
“The merger will streamline and strengthen our industry’s legislative, legal and research efforts. Our industry will speak to government leaders at all levels with a more powerful, unified voice that fully represents our multi-faceted business.”
The combined organisation will see three new BPSA board members elected to serve on the PFB Coalition board to assure continuity and strong support for BPSA work.
Regarding dues, for the first year following the merger, beginning July 1st, companies will pay what they paid during the previous 12 months. Instead of receiving two separate invoices each company will receive one invoice and will remit payment to PFBC. The following year companies will be asked to make one combined membership payment according to a scale that is based on annual US bicycle-related sales.
