PeopleForBikes held its SHIFT’26 industry working summit in Bentonville, Arkansas, from October 14 to 16, 2026. The summit brought together bicycle industry stakeholders to address business and policy challenges, discuss trail access and cycling participation, and establish shared priorities for 2027.

The summit combined committee working sessions, industry discussions and group rides. Key topics included global trade and tariff scenarios through 2029, state-level legislation distinguishing electric bicycles from electric off-highway motorcycles (e-motos), electric mountain bike (eMTB) trail access, and preparations for the PeopleForBikes Data Suite.

On trade, industry leaders reviewed the 2027–2029 trade outlook to help businesses prepare for potential supply chain and tariff fluctuations. Committees also reviewed the 2026 policy situation, including the avoidance of Section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs and Section 301 duty rates of approximately 20% for primary source countries, as described in PeopleForBikes’ summit update.

Photo: PeopleForBikes

On e-bike and e-moto policy, participants discussed state-level advocacy following California’s SB 1167, which separates traditional e-bikes from high-speed e-motos. PeopleForBikes said 12 additional states were preparing to introduce its model e-moto legislation in 2027. These initiatives remain in preparation and should not be interpreted as enacted legislation in those states.

The eMTB working group reviewed developments in trail access, including Bureau of Land Management (BLM) approval of Class 1 eMTB access across 211 miles of trails in Moab, Utah; statewide access to up to 2,300 miles of Class 1 trails in Maryland; and the opening of non-motorized trails to eMTBs by 20 state park systems.

The Research and Statistics Committee reviewed final preparations for the PeopleForBikes Data Suite, scheduled to launch in January 2027. Attendees previewed the platform and provided feedback on the tools and reports intended to help bicycle businesses make informed operational decisions.

Other sessions examined ways to increase cycling participation among children and diverse communities, identify gaps in the cycling ecosystem, and strengthen community partnerships. The summit’s opening day featured a group ride from downtown Bentonville to the newly opened OZ Trails Bike Park, highlighting the city’s connected off-road trail network.

Photo: PeopleForBikes