Fuji suspends police bike sales
Kinda-cool bicycle company Fuji has announced that it’s suspending the sale of its police bikes due to violent police tactics that don’t represent the brand’s core values.
Which is unapologetically a badass move. Maybe they’ll announce a new model, the F-12. We’d buy it.
“In the last week, we have seen our bicycles used in violent tactics that we did not intend or design them to be used for.
“In an effort to work towards real change, Bike Co. the North American distributor of Fuji Bikes, is suspending the sale of police bikes.”
Fuji and Bike Co.
Now it’s time for Trek to follow suit:
Though technically, looking like a complete Fred who could fall over at any moment is the intended use for Trek bikes.
Here’s Fuji’s, or rather their North American distributor, BikeCo’s, official statement:
Fuji’s core values have always been rooted in supporting communities and organizations that are making real change at home and abroad.
To hear that there are instances where bicycles have been used as a weapon against those who are vulnerable, those speaking out against the unjust treatment of people of color, and those standing alongside them advocating change, has deeply upset our community, our company and the heart of the Fuji brand. We support many diverse organizations and athletes–not for marketing stories, but because we truly want to make a difference in our community. To have these efforts overshadowed by cases of violence with bicycles is unacceptable.
We have seen instances in the last week where police have used bicycles in violent tactics, which we did not intend or design our bicycles for. We had always viewed the use of our bicycles by police, fire, security and EMS as one of the better forms of community outreach. Community police on bikes can better connect with and understand the neighborhood, facilitating positive relationships between law enforcement and the citizens they are sworn to serve and protect.
In an effort to make real change, we are beginning a dialogue with police departments nationwide to address how bikes are used in police activity and to ensure that police’s on-bike training reinforces that bicycles are not a weapon against our community. At this time, we are suspending the sale of Fuji police bikes until a conversation with these departments has occurred and we are confident that real change is being made.
We also must stand together against the mistreatment and abuse of the Black and Brown community. We will continue to look within our company and our core values to do better because our Fuji family deserves better. We stand with you and look forward to doing our part to do better.