Tern Good Werx Program
Making bikes is about building a better future. That’s why we donate at least 1% of our net profits to social and environmental causes each year through our Good Werx Program.
Our Philosophy: Go Where You’re Needed
We like to build bikes that are practical, nimble, and effective—and that surprise people with how much they can do. That vision also drives our Good Werx Program. Each year, we take stock of our own resources and the world around us to determine how we can maximize our impact.
Our Track Record
2025: Responding Where the Need Is Greatest
In 2025, our Good Werx Program focused on responding to urgent humanitarian needs where access to food, medical care, and basic services has been most severely disrupted. We supported Doctors Without Borders in delivering emergency medical care and bearing witness in Gaza, contributed to World Central Kitchen to help provide fresh meals in rapidly evolving crises worldwide, and partnered with World Bicycle Relief to improve access to healthcare in rural communities by equipping health workers with bicycles. As part of this year’s update, the program adopted a new name, Good Werx, in remembrance of Tern team member Thomas Loesch.
2024: Moving Lives Forward
In 2024, our Good Werx Program focused on helping people move their lives forward, whether rebuilding after conflict, accessing education, or gaining everyday mobility. We supported humanitarian efforts in Ukraine to provide safe housing for displaced families, partnered with World Bicycle Relief to empower girls in rural communities through access to bicycles and education, and contributed to the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition to expand bike access for those in need.
2023: The Positive Impact of Bikes
With a focus on positive impact in 2023, we chose to highlight the profound social impact bikes can have. Emphasizing empowerment, diversity, and inclusion, we supported bike accessibility for women in Africa, solidarity for LGBT+ causes via a cycling event in Taiwan, and sponsorship of a US cycling organization dedicated to enabling women of color. On the activist front, we supported nonprofits advocating for local cycling initiatives tailored to help vulnerable groups such as women, children, and under-resourced communities. We also reaffirmed our commitment to vital humanitarian aid, notably following a major earthquake in Turkey and Syria.
2022: New Opportunities
Balancing the odds has been central to 2022, leading us to welcome three new nonprofits and launch our Good Werx Scholarship. Considering ongoing humanitarian crises, we felt motivated to contribute to food distribution in Ukraine and local relief aid in the Philippines. We also focused on diversity and inclusion by supporting greater bike accessibility for women worldwide and bike rides dedicated to LGBT+ causes in Taiwan. Recognizing the bike industry’s need for change, we designed a scholarship program for aspiring bike mechanics. This initiative aims to foster inclusivity within an industry that will benefit from a broader range of perspectives.
2021: Two Wheels for a Fairer Future
The events leading up to 2021 highlighted how inequality drives many of our most pressing problems. So, that year's 2021 Good Werx Program focused on leveling the playing field. In recognition of bikes’ ability to liberate human potential, we divided $45,000 in grants among equity-focused initiatives at three cycle- and transportation-related nonprofits. Our funds supported programs to get more women and girls riding, build cycling infrastructure in underserved communities, and more.
2020: Using What We Have
Our team at HQ was incredibly lucky to experience the 2020 COVID-19 crisis from the relative safe haven of Taiwan, and we wanted to lend a hand however we could. In the spring of 2020, we learned about a Taiwanese doctor who invented a simple yet effective device to make intubating COVID patients safer for medical teams. We were impressed with the resourcefulness and ingenuity behind the design and saw an opportunity to help. We decided to use that Good Werx contribution—along with our design, sourcing, and logistics resources—to refine and produce the device and ship it to US hospitals in need.
2019: GSD Giveaway (for Extra Oomph)
The magic of an e-bike motor is that it amplifies the rider’s own power. In 2019, we realized we could amplify our impact—and beat our 1% of net profits goal—by offering in-kind donations of GSDs instead of cash. Five hardworking and effective organizations in three countries each received a well-equipped GSD to help them carry out their missions. Areas of focus included food security, public health, and support for recent immigrants.
Recent Good Werx Program Recipients
- Asia Rainbow Ride (Taiwan)
- Bike Scouts (Philippines)
- Black Girls Do Bike (USA and International)
- BYCS (Netherlands and International)
- The Council on Aging of Central Oregon (USA)
- Critical Care Units (USA)
- Doctors Without Borders (Worldwide)
- G&O Family Cyclery
- Le Détour de Pointe Saint-Charles (Canada)
- DUO for a JOB (Belgium)
- People for Bikes (USA)
- Pro Ukraïna (Swiss-based Non-Profit Organization)
- Replate (USA)
- San Francisco Bicycle Coalition (USA)
- SAMPAS, a Réseau Hépatite C Initiative (Belgium)
- Trips for Kids (North America)
- World Bicycle Relief (Worldwide)
- World Central Kitchen (Worldwide)