Wait A Minute, Who Paid for that Trip!?!

A non-profit, so its ok, right? I looked them up yesterday, and look at who it is.

Bikes Belong. Sounds like a lovely non-profit, but look at their description of their group:

Bikes Belong formed in 1999 when U.S. bicycle companies recognized an exceptional opportunity to work together to maximize bike funding in TEA-21—the upcoming multi-year federal transportation bill. Our initial goal was to ensure funding for great, new bicycle facilities that would increase bike riding, boost public health and happiness, and strengthen the bike business.

Since then, we’ve successfully harnessed the collective power of the U.S. bicycle industry to accomplish more than bike companies could by working independently. We’ve steadily expanded our efforts, but we remain focused on creating safe places to ride so more people will bike, and bike more.

So, they got together to lobby to get more money to help their industry.

And, look at who is on their Board of Directors:

The Bikes Belong Board of Directors includes executives from the top companies in the U.S bicycle industry. Their collective experience and commitment to bicycling guide the Bikes Belong vision, creating an influential force in America.

The Officers of Bikes Belong Coalition are:
President: Steve Meineke, President of Raleigh America
Vice President: Chris Fortune, President of Saris Cycling Group
Treasurer & Secretary: Michael Mercuri, VP of SRAM Corporation

The Directors include:
Steve Bigelow, EVP & GM for Consumer Retail Division & Specialty Retail Division for
Easton-Bell Sports
Leslie Bohm, CEO of Catalyst Communication
John Burke, CEO of Trek
Lance Camisasca, President of Lifeboat Events
Fred Clements, Executive Director of the National Bicycle Dealers Association
Pat Cunnane, President of Advanced Sports
Ian Dewar (alternate), USA Partnerships Manager of Specilaized
Steve Flagg, CEO of Quality Bicycle Products
Mike Greehan, CEO of Green Light Media
Chris Kegel, Owner of Wheel & Sprocket
Chris Lambiase, Publisher of Bicycling Magazine
Jeff McGuane, President of Cycling Sports Group, North America
Phil Morlock, Director of Environmental Affairs for Shimano American Corporation
Patrick Seidler, CEO of WTB
Mike Sinyard, CEO of Specialized
Andy Tompkins, Interbike
Elysa Walk, General Manager of Giant

If that’s not enough, check out their members.

I didn’t think the trip was ok when just because it was a non-profit that was paying for the trip as the city attorney originally said. (He since changed his mind and came up with another reason. Seems as tho he needs to read further.) Take a look, many of the lobbyists registered with the city are non-profits. But, I was a little surprised to find this non-profit is really a trade association for biking companies, similar to what the Realtors or DMI or Chamber or Apartment Association is. If any of the aforementioned groups were paying for the trip, you’d raise an eyebrow wouldn’t you? So is it ok when it is a national biking group instead?