CABDA West: Exploring Innovation and Community
Last week, I had an unforgettable experience at the convention hosted by the Chicago Area Bicycle Dealers Association (CABDA) in Las Vegas, Nevada. This event was part of CABDA's series of regional conventions across the country, alongside Chicago and New York. It was an essential gathering for anyone in the cycling industry, bringing together the nation’s top cycling educators, industry experts, and bike shop owners to tackle the most pressing challenges and innovations in cycling today.
The two-day convention was an exciting whirlwind of learning and connecting with others! I was especially inspired by the insightful presentations from top cycling educators and industry experts. They really highlighted the unique challenges bike shop owners face. These sessions offered valuable insights into how businesses are adapting to new trends, like the rising popularity of e-bikes and the changing legal landscape surrounding their use.
One of the highlights for me was connecting with an amazing group of women in the cycling industry. These dedicated professionals showed real interest in my book, The Caring Parent's E-Bike Survival Guide, which has sparked meaningful discussions about how parents can ensure e-bike safety for their kids. It was rewarding to see their enthusiasm for women in the bicycle industry and to share my ideas with others who are just as passionate about promoting safety and awareness within the community.
CABDA West was a fantastic opportunity for bicycle and e-bike manufacturers to show off their newest products, with a clear focus on safety. But I noticed there's a lot of room for them to grow, especially since many states are banning multi-class bikes, which a lot of them sell. I’m cautious about calling multi-class models e-bikes because more states are now sticking to three recognized classes. These restrictions might challenge manufacturers financially, but it also opens up cool opportunities to market faster bikes, maybe even e-motos, in the motocross world. There's been some great chatter about using electrification to tackle noise and emissions from gas-powered bikes. With the strong fanbase for e-bikes, particularly the faster ones, this could be a really exciting chance for manufacturers looking to innovate and expand.
Jumping into discussions about the legal aspects of e-bike manufacturing and usage was another highlight of the event. The experts shared crucial information that really helped us understand the complexities of e-bike safety that we needed to grasp for strategic solutions.
For example, I learned about an update on Class 3 e-bike laws that now permits a throttle, but with a top speed capped below 4 mph — what they call "walking speed." This means riders can get a little help walking their bike uphill. My main concern is, just like it happens with Class 2 e-bikes, riders might find ways to tamper with that speed limit.
The convention buzzed with networking activity. I had several heartfelt conversations with passionate cycling pros, which reinforced my belief that e-bike safety matters to all of us. Our shared commitment to improving safety is both encouraging and motivating. Connecting with these dedicated people, forming alliances, and exchanging ideas have only strengthened my resolve to contribute further to this important cause.
Looking ahead to future CABDA events, I’m excited about the potential for more updates and partnerships. Events like these help the Bellemont Project build a stronger network, drive positive change, and ensure that e-bike riding accelerates into a safe and fun micro-mobility option for all our communities.
[CAPTION: E-Bike safety expert Clint Sandusky presents a seminar on the three common riding styles of cyclists.]
