Recap: What is the Cycling Industry Pledge?

In September 2020, we wrote a post about how BikePGH signed on to the Radical Adventure Riders or RAR (formerly called WTF Bikexplorers) Cycling Industry Pledge and urged others to sign on as well. 

“Signing the Cycling Industry Pledge means being a part of a conscious collective dedicated to positive social change in the cycling community. When you join the CIP Network, you are holding yourself accountable, and asking the cycling community to help you hold yourself to a higher standard of inclusion.”

Check out the full list of 249 companies and nonprofits that have signed onto the pledge. 

At the end of 2020, RAR sent those who signed the Cycling Industry Pledge (CIP) a detailed survey to check how equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) initiatives were progressing. BikePGH participated in the end-of-year survey, took note of areas we need to continue to focus on, and had a series of internal conversations.

CIP Key Findings

Recently, Radical Adventure Riders have shared the results from the CIP survey. 123 companies and nonprofits responded to their survey which was compiled into a report on their website; we encourage you to read it.    

The top three key findings are:

1. Workplace diversity is lacking
2. Accountability Mechanisms Matter
3. Engagement Initiatives are Limited

“The CIP Survey key findings are an opportunity for cycling companies, non-profits, and organizations to understand that these commitments to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion will take long-term and deep-seated commitments.”

What BikePGH is Working On

Meaningful and sustainable improvements to our internal and external EDI work take time. As an organization, we know it’s a marathon, not a sprint.

We’ve talked at length about the CIP pledge and survey results, and started creating an actionable plan towards ensuring EDI is a part of everything we do, not just a stand-alone item on a to-do list.

Here are some of the things we’re working on that came out of the CIP survey results: 

1. We’re fundraising and budgeting additional resources to financially support our EDI work this year and for the foreseeable future.  
2. We’re creating a way to document our EDI progress to build trust and transparency. 
3. We’re revisiting our external EDI statements to ensure they are inclusive, authentic, and are still relevant to our organizational goals. These statements are a part of our job listings and the values we hold ourselves and those with our partners accountable.

There is more work to be done, but we are on a path to make substantial progress over the coming months and years. Through accountability pledges like the CIP, we hope to be part of the movement that leads the charge for a more inclusive cycling experience in Pittsburgh.

Transportation Justice Learning Series

In August 2020, we published our first post in this learning series which outlines our thoughts and preliminary plans of what this series is, who it is for, and what we hope it can grow into.

Through this series, we aim to educate and inform ourselves and supporters, listen to the experiences of marginalized communities locally and nationally, and work collaboratively with experts and advocates to address transportation inequities in Pittsburgh.