Editor's note: A version of this article ran in the Feb. 1 issue of BRAIN. Since publication, organizers have changed the date of the event from June to September. This version of the article contains the updated date.
BENTONVILLE, Ark. (BRAIN) — This community, which already has hosted an IMBA World Summit, Outerbike and other bike events, will be home to the new Innovation Cycles Festival in mid-September.
The three-day festival, Sept. 13-15, will include a consumer-facing demo and expo component, as well as presentations and discussions by leaders in the e-bike, mobility and micro-mobility areas. "Think of it as Ted Talks for the e-bike industry," said event organizer Nat Ross.
Speakers will include Gary Fisher and Stefan Ytterborn, the founder of POC and Cake, an electric dirt bike brand. PeopleForBikes also will lead a workshop session.
Ross said Bentonville is ideal for the event because its trails are open to e-bikes and the community has hosted innovation festivals for other industries, including aviation. The Arkansas State Parks Department, whose park rangers use e-bikes, also will participate.
The talks will be held at an indoor venue that is walking distance from Bentonville's downtown square, where the expo will be centered.
Ross is in communication with e-bike and mobility brands from around the world. He's hoping to line up one of the largest e-bike demo fleets ever assembled. Organizers are expecting about 150 participants in the workshops, 25 to 40 exhibitors, and as many as 1,500 attendees.
The event is receiving some support from the Bike Bentonville and Visit Bentonville organizations, and Ross said several nonendemic companies are signed up as partners. Organizers are planning to repeat the event every six months, with plans for expansion to other U.S. and overseas venues.
More information: Innovation Cycles Festival.
