Trek bikes has criticised the way some US police forces have used its bikes against Black Lives Matter protestors in recent weeks, describing it as “abhorrent”.
The company issued a detailed statement on its website, the second it has published, in the wake of some US police officers using Trek bikes as an offensive and defensive tactical weapon, much like a riot shield, on protestors.
It has set out what it plans to do in response to the
issues raised by the recent protests, sparked by the killing of George Floyd
after his arrest on suspicion of a non-violent crime in Minnesota the week
before last.
Trek plans to invest in creating jobs for people of colour and has unveiled a range of other measures, backed by the investment of millions of dollars.
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However, in its main statement on Wednesday it makes no mention of how some police officers used its bikes. Instead, a separate statement issued to cyclingtips.com deals with how its bikes were used.
“Recently we have seen photos and video of Trek bikes
that have been used by police in ways that are abhorrent and vastly different
from their intended use,” it said.
“For over 25 years, we have seen police on bikes, out of
cruisers and offices, building relationships in the neighborhoods they serve.
The past two weeks has turned the view of police on bikes from a community
asset to a liability.”
The company, which has deals with some US police forces to supply bikes, added bikes could still be used to ensure police officers were out of their cars and were instead moving around in the community by bike.
In its main statement on its website, Trek detailed how
it planned to create jobs and to become a more diverse company and support
greater diversity in the cycling industry, including:
- Invest $2.5 million over ten years in a new retail management and bicycle mechanics training scholarship program to provide a career path for 1,000 people of color to improve diversity within Trek Headquarters, Trek retailers, Trek stores, and the entire cycling industry.
- Provide $1 million funding for entrepreneurs of color and existing Trek retailers to open shops in under-served neighborhoods.
- Invest $5 million over the next 3 years to establish new bike shops in under-served neighborhoods with the goal of building 50 stores in ten years using our DreamBikes model and lessons.
- Establish a scholarship fund to equip 25 NICA (National Interscholastic Cycling Association) teams of children from diverse ethnic backgrounds for the next ten years.
Trek added it would also require all employees to complete “diversity and inclusiveness training” provided by accredited external resources by the end of 2020.
Trek employees would now also have access to paid time off to volunteer for "non-profits that build our communities".
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