PeopleForBikes is proud to invite you to our upcoming Electric Bicycle Summit in beautiful Asheville, North Carolina. In the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Asheville area is an amazing place to bike and home to a thriving economy of bicycle and outdoor product manufacturers.

The summit is a gathering for anyone interested in the future of electric bicycles. Industry leaders, land managers, trail and bike advocates are all warmly invited to attend. Tapping into our collective knowledge is critical and we look forward to a full house.

In addition to the Electric Bicycle Summit, we welcome everyone to join us for a PeopleForBikes DRAFT event on Wednesday, May 18 at the New Belgium Brewery in Asheville. DRAFT is a nationwide meetup series that taps into people who love bikes, biz and beer. Our events bring communities together to celebrate all things bicycling.

• Thursday, May 19, 2022
• 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET
• Smoky Park Boat House - 350 Riverside Dr.#3141, Asheville, NC 28801
• Snacks and lunch will be provided by 12 Bones Smokehouse
• Early Bird Registration: $149 (before May 3) and Regular Registration: $199
• An electric bicycle tour of Downtown Asheville will be held after the Summit starting at 4:30 p.m. ET. Attendees can join The Flying Bike on a tour of the city (space is limited to 60 participants, so sign up before we fill up!)

• eMTB Group Ride with Weevil Outdoor Supply Co. at Kanuga Bike Park beginning at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, May 18, 2022.
• DRAFT Happy Hour Event from 4:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 18, 2022 at New Belgium Brewery (21 Craven St., Asheville, NC 28806). Please let us know if you plan on attending, here.

If you are a land manager or advocate and would like to receive a discounted entry, please contact Ash Lovell, PeopleForBikes Electric Bicycle Policy and Campaign Director at ash@peopleforbikes.org.

COVID Protocols: The health and safety of our attendees is our top priority. Please review our COVID protocols here, including these important reminders:

• Masks: PeopleForBikes is limiting the number of attendees to allow for appropriate social distancing. Disposable masks and hand sanitizer will be provided for all attendees.

• Proof of Vaccination/Negative Test: PeopleForBikes is requiring that attendees either provide proof of vaccination status or proof of a negative COVD-test taken within 72 hours of the event. We will be asking for this information at the door.

If you feel sick, please stay home. You can refer to the CDC’s COVID-19 Self-Checker reference guide for any questions on symptoms by clicking here. Check your flight and travel arrangements if there are additional restrictions specific to your area.

Agenda:

9:00 - 9:30 a.m. ET: Registration, check-in, and networking over coffee

9:30 - 9:45: Welcome and opening remarks

9:45 – 10:30: KEYNOTE — Jeremy Hyatt, Secretary of Operations for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians are leaning into outdoor recreation and economic development with the Fire Mountain Trail System in Western North Carolina. This new trail system currently features 10.5 miles of trails open to eMTBs, traditional mountain biking, hiking and other recreational activities. Jeremy Hyatt, the mastermind behind the project, will share his motivations, lessons learned and ambitions for the future of outdoor recreation for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

10:30 - 11:00: Networking break + snacks

11:00 - 12:00 p.m.: Breaking Down Barriers: How can we make electric bicycles truly available to everyone?

Join experts from the bicycle advocacy community, retailers and academia to explore how we can ensure electric bicycles are available and appealing to all Americans. The push to get more people out of cars and onto bicycles will take more than just national, state and local electric bicycle incentives. What role can bike manufacturers play in encouraging these incentive programs and other initiatives?

12:00-1:00: Lunch

1:00 - 2:00: Breakout Session #1

PANEL — North Carolina’s Outdoor Recreation Boom: Harnessing the power of electric bicycles and the outdoor recreation economy

Local experts will share the latest updates on North Carolina’s outdoor recreation economy and discuss how electric bicycles can help power continued growth. Land managers, advocates and leading brands are all working together to get more people outside and enjoying the beautiful state.

WORKSHOP — Electric Bicycles and Climate Action: Bringing bikes to the forefront of the climate movement

This facilitated discussion will explore the opportunities and challenges associated with electric bicycles as a climate solution. Attendees will participate in a group conversation covering how electric bicycles can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, decongest urban streets and get more people outdoors. Challenges include the need to recycle lithium ion batteries, reducing waste in the production process and measuring the real climate impacts of buying and using these products.

2:00 - 2:30: Networking Break

2:30 - 3:30: Breakout Session #2

PANEL — Electric Bicycle Battery Safety: Proactive approaches to risk and regulation

A panel of experts will discuss how electric bicycle battery safety concerns may affect the bicycle industry and how they have affected other industries in the past. The panel will unpack best practices in battery safety education and handling and dive deeper into how PeopleForBikes’ electric bicycle battery recycling program reduces risks for riders, retailers and suppliers.

WORKSHOP — Community Safety and Electric Bicycle Ridership: Best practices for sharing the path

During this facilitated discussion, participants will explore the best ways to address the recent, massive growth in outdoor recreation and unpack best practices that communities, retailers and the industry can institute to make sure this growth in ridership and recreation can be sustained. The discussion will explore topics including rider etiquette, trail signage, research needs and rider education.

3:30- 4:00: Wrap Up, Bright Ideas and Action Items

4:00: Adjourn

4:30 - 6:00: Electric Bicycle Tour of Downtown Asheville with The Flying Bike

Please let PeopleForBikes know if you are interested in participating in the electric bicycle tour so we can reserve your spot by RSVPing during the registration process. Space is limited to 60 people, so register soon to make sure to reserve your spot!