SRAM Calls for Global Cycling Changemakers
Aspire 2025 Crankworx Credit: Oisin Mc Hugh
Whistler, BC — At Aspire 2025, an evening hosted by the Grow Cycling Foundation and Crankworx on August 9, SRAM announced that applications for its enhanced Community Partnership Program will open on September 1, 2025. The event at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre during Crankworx Whistler’s 20th anniversary brought together some of the most influential voices in cycling’s inclusion movement.
The night’s panel, moderated by Eliot Jackson of Grow Cycling, featured Sandy Ward of Indigenous Women Outdoors, Annijke Wade of DirtBound, Ruandy Albisurez of Warpaint and The Airow Project, and April Katz of War Paint. The conversation centred on the power of partnerships between grassroots organizations and industry leaders, exploring how collaboration can create meaningful, long-lasting impact. Following the panel, SRAM’s community leader, Alisha Zellner, facilitated intentional networking between panellists, community leaders, and brand representatives.
In her remarks, Zellner stressed that the Community Partnership Program is not a transactional sponsorship platform but a vehicle for transformation. Open to organizations worldwide, the program seeks to provide support, collaboration, and funding to groups committed to equity, inclusion, and building stronger cycling communities.
SRAM’s Community Program already backs a diverse portfolio of organizations making cycling more accessible and equitable. Among those focused on empowering women and girls are The Cycle Effect, which uses mountain biking to empower young women; Little Bellas, offering mentorship and bike programming for girls; Sisters in the Wild, encouraging women to embrace the outdoors; Black Girls Do Bike NYC, building community among Black women cyclists; and Indigenous Women Outdoors, which connects Indigenous women to land and culture through cycling.
Other partners work to promote inclusion and equity more broadly, such as Ride for Racial Justice, Queer+ Bikes, Minority Mountain Bikers, All Bikes Welcome, and Melanin Base Miles. Additional organizations include World Ride, which empowers communities in developing countries; Bicycle Coalition Youth Cycling, opening cycling opportunities for youth; Gears in Action and Catalyst Sports, which advance adaptive cycling; Dirtbound, providing resources for adaptive mountain biking; Together We Ride CRC, a cycling club built on inclusivity; Los Angeles Bicycle Academy and Chicago United Cycling Club, which foster local cycling communities; and the Major Taylor International Cycling Alliance, which honors the legacy of one of the sport’s most celebrated Black athletes.
Through financial contributions, product donations, and technical assistance, SRAM helps these organizations expand their programs, strengthen their infrastructure, and reach more people. The enhanced program builds on this work with additional workshops, technical resources, storytelling through SRAM’s media platforms, and marketing support. Applications will be accepted from September 1 to October 31, with reviews in November and final selections announced mid-December. Selected organizations will participate in a year-long program from January to December 2026, including quarterly check-ins with SRAM’s Community Specialist to ensure ongoing engagement and collaboration.
Full details and application forms are available on SRAM’s Community Program webpage at sram.com/en/life/culture/community/applications, which also highlights past partners and shares the company’s broader mission to foster partnerships that expand representation and inspire more people to ride.