Allyson Helms

BikeNWA
SWOT Analysis

Overview
Bike Alliance of Northwest Arkansas (BikeNWA) educates, inspires, and activates the
Northwest Arkansas community to become champions for cycling. Its mission is to transform
Northwest Arkansas into a fun and welcoming place to ride bicycles for both recreation and
transportation by creating a vibrant cycling community and a safe, connected network of on-road
and off-road bicycling infrastructure. Its main focus is to create an environment and community
where biking is easily accessible to people of all ages and abilities.

Strengths
 It receives a significant amount of funding from Walton Family Foundation. This
additional source of income puts it at an advantage because they do not face the same
problems regarding finances as most biking nonprofits do. Although it still needs to
receive funding from other sources, this source alleviates some of the difficulties with
fundraising.
 The Northwest Arkansas region an excellent place for outdoor activities. The abundance
of outdoor opportunities is a strength for BikeNWA because the area is a great place for
biking and can appeal to tourists and out-of-town visitors wanting to explore nature.
 One of the advantages that BikeNWA highlights for using a bike is sustainability.
Younger generations are now more concerned with sustainability and earth-conscious
efforts.
 It has “Open Streets” events, where they shut down a section or area of a busy street in
town and invite the city’s residents to participate in block-party events. This event allows
the organization to reach more members of the community, engage with them and build
empathy.

Weaknesses
 Being a nonprofit centered around biking, most of its audiences are current bikers or
cyclists. However, the organization wants to reach non-cyclists and people who are not
the typical person who rides a bike daily. This demographic is difficult to reach because
BikeNWA has to determine how to gain their attention and how to get them to listen to
their message.
 Not everyone agrees that there is a problem and need for the cause. Most of its responses
are centered around questioning the need to build more infrastructure or push for better
safety policies and if it is legitimate. The organization has difficulty in explaining how
there is a bigger need beyond the status quo.
 Communities prioritize car drivers over bike riders. Often, when policies that favor bike
riders are proposed, policyholders look at what challenges it will bring for people who
are driving vehicles.
 It has difficulty communicating terms and laws to people who are not familiar with the
terminology.
 It lack volunteers and people qualified to educate and spread awareness on its behalf.
Opportunities
 During the school year, there is a large number of students looking for volunteer
opportunities to meet the required number of hours from organizations where they are
involved. BikeNWA can get in contact with schools and GivePulse online to provide
service hour opportunities for students and get more volunteers in return.
 Around Northwest Arkansas, especially Fayetteville, there is a trend of businesses and
organizations that use their logo on stickers and pass them out around town. People then
put them on their computers, water bottles, etc. Stickers would be a good opportunity for
BikeNWA to attain publicity and awareness in the minds of its hard-to-reach target
segment.
 National “Bike to Work Day” is May 17. BikeNWA can advertise this holiday and
encourage participation from communities.
 BikeNWA is active on Instagram and Facebook. Due to the younger demographic on
Instagram, posts on this channel should cater to a younger audience. Facebook posts
should cater to an older demographic.

Threats
 Due to the high number of nonprofits, there can be lots of nonprofit advertising clutter.
 The Bike Alliance contains many nonprofits of Northwest Arkansas that can be seen as
competitors for BikeNWA regarding funding.
 Not everyone agrees that there is a problem and may not see the importance or urgency
of BikeNWA’s message.

Recommendation
BikeNWA should advertise volunteer opportunities and hours available for students to
participate. Representatives from BikeNWA can get in touch with leaders of student-led
organizations by email to disseminate the information or present at an organization’s weekly
meeting. Students would be able to volunteer for their communities and BikeNWA would be
able to provide more volunteers at events.