Build the USBRS with Planet Bike

May 17, 2016

Planet Bike has seen the great success of the Build It. Bike It. Be a Part of It. campaign and the growth of the U.S. Bicycle Route System (USBRS) and is sponsoring a $1,000 match challenge to keep the momentum going. Donate now to have your contribution matched by Planet Bike! 

We recently sat down with Planet Bike to learn more about the company and what they believe in.

Please tell us about your company and its history. 

Planet Bike was founded in Madison, WI in 1996. In many ways, Planet Bike began as a social experiment that dedicated itself to doing business in a different way. Instead of being just another company that develops and sells products with profit as its end goal, Planet Bike wanted to help bring about positive change for people, their communities, and the environment.  

Despite being a simple machine, we have always believed that the bicycle has great potential to help improve the world and the lives of the people in it. From the start, we have embraced an alternative corporate purpose which seeks to help get more people on bicycles by making our communities friendlier places for the self-propelled. 

Social experiments aside, Planet Bike was born from the heart of a cyclist and our goal is to make innovative, high quality, and practical bicycle accessories.  Simply put, we strive to design and develop the best bicycle products in the world. 

In our twenty-year history, we are proud that we have made important product innovations within the bicycle industry. Our advancements include the 4-line computer display, now a standard in the industry and our innovative, attention-grabbing Superflash tail light redefined what a tail light could be; this legendary “POW! Blink, Blink, Blink” has been keeping cyclists safer and more visible for a decade — not bad for a company that twenty years ago started as a one man operation. Today, while still a small company, we continue to evolve and improve our product line with the goal of always striving to build accessories that make it easier and safer for people to ride their bikes.  

As our company has grown and matured, so has our dedication to the principles of social and environmental responsibility. Since 1996 our financial support of the grassroots bicycle movement has helped to make America a friendlier place for cyclists. 

Talk about your company's mission and how it relates to your decision to support the U.S. Bicycle Route System. 

At Planet Bike, we love the balance that the bicycle brings to the world and its power to make people, communities, and the planet healthier.  In addition to creating products that make cycling safer and more enjoyable, we pledge time, resources, and profits to organizations working for sustainable transportation solutions. 

For a decade, we have proudly supported the Adventure Cycling Association as they work to inspire and empower people to travel by bicycle. The USBRS is advocacy in action and Planet Bike is thrilled to support Adventure Cycling’s tireless efforts to connect America’s cities, suburbs, and rural areas into the largest official cycling route network on the planet. It’s not every day that bicycle super highways get created so we want to help make it a reality! 

What one product of yours would you like to be sure touring cyclists know about?

New for 2016, Planet Bike has developed a full line of Cascadia ALX (aluminum) fenders for 20” folding bikes, 26” mountain adventures, 27.5” and 700c summer tours, and 29” bikepacking exploits. They’re rugged, good looking, and perfect for taking in America’s highways and byways.

Photos courtesy of Planet Bike.

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Join us in building the largest cycling route network in the world!

 

The U.S. Bicycle Route System (USBRS) is a developing national network of signed and numbered bicycle routes that link together cities, suburbs, rural communities, and public lands so that anyone, no matter who or where they are, can get to their destination by bicycle. To date, over 11,000 miles of U.S. Bicycle Routes have been officially designated in 25 states, and nearly 4,000 miles have been signed. When complete, the USBRS will encompass more than 50,000 miles and open new opportunities for cross-country travel, regional bicycle touring, and commuting by bike.

 

Thank you to Tripsite.com, Visit Bentonville/Bike Bentonville, Destination Irvine, BikeTours.com, Osprey Packs, Exodus Travels, Stan's No Tubes, and all of the generous supporters of the U.S. Bicycle Route System campaign!