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Planet Bike’s line-up includes bike lights, mud-guards, inflation,computers, saddles, locks, gloves, and racks. The company was founded in 1996 and is famous in the US for its strident support for cycle campaign initiatives.
"I love their commitment to supporting advocacy," said Jonathan Maus of US blog BikePortland.org.
The expansion into Europe is being pushed by Jeff Frehner, president at Planet Bike, and formerly CEO at Pacific/Cannondale Sports Group. He joined Planet Bike in March.
"We are searching for distribution in the UK and western Europe," said Frehner.
"Planet Bike has not gone much past the US borders in the past. Hopefully my past international experience will help make the leap. Planet Bike’s US biz is up considerably this year after a huge year last year. I think our brand and product segment play well right now with what the bike industry is selling."
When asked for Planet Bike’s USPs, Frehner said:
"I think our strong, easily promotable brand name, coupled with our quality, yet value driven product-offering, give a competitive advantage. Then you add the fact that we do what we do in order to help make the world a better place for cycling and it is a very good business proposition."
Planet Bike’s director of sales David McMurray said "each year we donate 25 percent of profits to causes that promote and facilitate the use of bicycles. To date, our donations have funded programs in the US and Canada but we look to extend our advocacy efforts internationally."
Frehner said: "We will work with the individual distributors to support useful advocacy efforts in their respective territories."
Since 1996 Planet Bike has donated nearly $1m to cycle campaign causes. Most of the money goes to the Alliance for Biking & Walking, a coalition of 140 bicycle advocacy groups across the US.
