Here at The Common Wheel, we believe that the bicycle is a vehicle for freedom and happiness. 

But freedom is not something that we have seen for our Black friends and family since the first slaves were kidnapped and forcefully brought to this country. Since 1619 there have been grave injustices and the murder of countless Black people because of the color of their skin. We cannot pretend to know how our Black friends and neighbors feel. We can stand in support of anti-racism and we can call out injustice when we see it. And, we can do better. We must do better.

George Floyd.

Tony McDade.

Breonna Taylor.

Ahmaud Arbery.

We say their names. And we make space for change. 

We’ve signed the Cycling Industry Pledge but we will not stop there. We will continue to educate ourselves on systemic racism in our country and how we can be a catalyst for change, whether it’s in the workplace or on a group ride. We will continue to examine our team, board, and leadership to create an organization representative of the community it serves. We will invest in strategic planning through a lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion. And we will continue to look for ways to partner with BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and Person of Color) and WTF (Womxn, Trans, Femme) businesses. 

We demand the cycling industry as a whole take steps to ensure the safety and inclusion of Black folx. Make statements condemning how the police use your products to cause harm and violate the bodies of peaceful protesters, especially Black and Brown people. Request statements from the police you have contracts with that they will not use your bicycles and products to harm BIPOC folx. And if they do, make that contract null and void. Invest in Black athletes and athletes of color. And most of all, put your dollars into the community. Support BIPOC and show them that a bike is a tool for freedom and they need not fear being outdoors because of the skin they’re in. Do better. Sign the Cycling Industry Pledge. Examine your boards and leadership. And make a true investment in and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

We are committed to doing better and we hope you’ll join us in supporting those who have been mistreated and murdered for more than 400 years. 

We stand in solidarity and we shout BLACK LIVES MATTER. We say their names.