Tern Gives Back

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 Give Back 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 Give Back 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

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.

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Black Girls Do Bike

2022: New Opportunities

Balancing the odds has been central to 2022, leading us to welcome three new nonprofits and launch our Give Back 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.

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World Bicycle Relief

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 Give Back 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.

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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 year's Give Back 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.

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Recent Give Back Program Recipients