Bicycle Retail Industry Review for May 2025 data, NBDA summit, important proposed legislation

Ryan and Mark discuss results from May, with a quick note on the strong March and April numbers that we didn't get to talk about due to Ryan's many travels when we'd normally record an Around the Workstand episode.

We mention this recent episode with our Key Accounts Advisor, David Martinez, and the Digital Advisor Service he's offering Workstand clients

NBDA Summit recap

• A good number of supplier attendees
• Solid presentations
• Don’t know about the May date, stores are busy, but the meeting is valuable
• Finally get Bentonville, so much going on there
• NBDA Summits are great, try to make a 2026 event

May results

• Online sales in May were +17.5%, with order volume +21.5%. 
• Promising sign for the health of the market and online sales at bike shops
• Bike sales did, however, decline in dollars and units, with electric, road, mountain, and BMX showing growth but offset by declines in other categories. 
• I’m still speculating that the early peak of bicycle sales in March and April was driven in large part by consumers attempting to beat tariffs, but new product releases and popularity in the growth categories are also contributors. 
• Overall platform growth is coming across the board from parts, accessories, and apparel. 
• Those are good indicators that people are riding bikes and engaging with cycling. 
• On the whole, the results are outperforming my expectations
• That being said, I don't hear a lot of positives about YTD results when I talk with clients
• Online sales are a bright spot, but in many parts of the country, foot traffic and total sales are down

U.S. Bicycle Production and Assembly Act

• Legislation introduced in Congress this week would eliminate tariffs on components used to assemble complete bikes in the U.S.
• Goal is to create hubs as a step toward frame manufacturing
• Chris Cocalis founded Pivot Cycles and Charlie Cooper with PFB at BLC

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