Professional gravel cyclist and Protect Our Winters (POW) Bike Alliance member Sarah Sturm has officially unveiled a new creative collaboration with Bivo, a manufacturer specializing in high-performance stainless steel water bottles. The project represents a convergence of athletic performance, environmental advocacy, and fine art, moving beyond traditional product endorsements to feature original illustrations designed by Sturm herself. Developed through a process that Sturm describes as "brainstorming on the bike," the design seeks to replace climate-related anxiety with a sense of "intentional joy," encouraging outdoor enthusiasts to protect the environments they traverse. The collaboration comes at a time when the outdoor industry is increasingly looking toward sustainable manufacturing and athlete-led initiatives to drive both consumer interest and climate awareness.
The Intersection of Athleticism and Artistic Expression
Sarah Sturm’s career has been defined by a dual identity that predates her arrival on the professional cycling circuit. While she has spent nearly a decade carving a niche in the high-stakes world of professional gravel racing—a discipline known for its grueling distances and technical terrain—her academic and personal background is rooted in the arts. Before ascending the podiums of major gravel events, Sturm was a trained artist, a part of her identity that she admits became secondary as the demands of professional sports intensified.
The collaboration with Bivo and POW served as a catalyst for Sturm to reclaim this artistic side. According to Sturm, the creative process for the bottle did not begin in a studio but rather during the five-to-six-hour training rides that define her professional life. These long periods of physical exertion provided the mental space necessary to conceptualize the visual language of the bottle. By leaning into the tools she felt most comfortable with—pencil and paper—Sturm developed a series of sketches that eventually became the final design.
The resulting artwork is a complex tapestry of bold shapes and textile-inspired patterns. The design features flower petals woven into lettering, blooms that transition into the circular geometry of bicycle wheels, and an abstract representation of a cyclist whose head is crowned with flowers. This choice of imagery was deliberate, intended to provide a "visual antidote" to the often heavy and polarizing nature of climate change discourse. By focusing on the beauty of the natural world and the joy of outdoor activity, Sturm aims to foster a more inclusive and positive approach to environmentalism.
Chronology of the Collaboration and Design Development
The development of the POW x Bivo bottle followed a specific timeline that aligned with the competitive cycling season and POW’s ongoing advocacy cycles. The project was initiated under the umbrella of the POW Bike Alliance, a group of professional cyclists dedicated to leveraging their platforms for climate policy change.
- Conceptualization Phase: During the early training months of the season, Sturm began conceptualizing the "cylindrical canvas." She noted that the water bottle presents a unique creative puzzle because only one side is visible at a time when placed in a bike cage. This led to a design that functions as both a continuous theme and a collection of individual artistic segments.
- Sketching and Refinement: Sturm moved from mental brainstorming to physical sketchbooks, prioritizing hand-drawn elements over digital abstraction. This phase was characterized by a move away from "athletic perfectionism," allowing for a more organic and imperfect creative practice.
- Manufacturing Integration: Bivo, known for its commitment to eliminating plastic waste in the cycling industry, integrated Sturm’s designs onto their stainless steel vessels. This required ensuring that the intricate floral and textile patterns remained clear and vibrant on the metal surface.
- Public Launch: The final product was released through the Protect Our Winters online store, with proceeds earmarked for the organization’s non-partisan climate advocacy work.
Supporting Data: Sustainability in the Outdoor Industry
The collaboration highlights a broader shift in the outdoor gear market toward "circular" or more sustainable product lifecycles. Bivo’s choice of stainless steel over traditional plastic is backed by significant environmental data regarding microplastics and product longevity. Standard plastic cycling bottles are often treated as semi-disposable, with many cyclists replacing them annually due to mold growth or degradation of the plastic (often containing BPA or phthalates).
According to environmental impact studies, the production and disposal of single-use and short-term plastics contribute significantly to carbon emissions and ocean pollution. By producing a durable, high-flow stainless steel bottle, Bivo aims to reduce the volume of plastic waste generated by the millions of cyclists worldwide. Furthermore, the partnership with Protect Our Winters ensures that the commercial success of the product translates into systemic advocacy. Since its founding in 2007 by professional snowboarder Jeremy Jones, POW has grown into a global organization that mobilizes the "Outdoor State"—a theoretical constituency of 50 million outdoor enthusiasts—to influence climate policy at the state and federal levels.
The inclusion of athlete-designed gear is also a proven driver of consumer engagement. Market data suggests that "purpose-driven" purchases are on the rise, particularly among Millennial and Gen Z consumers who prioritize brand values and environmental stewardship. By featuring Sturm’s artwork, the collaboration taps into the "gravel cycling" demographic, which has seen explosive growth over the last five years, becoming one of the fastest-growing segments in the global bicycle market.
Official Responses and Stakeholder Perspectives
While the primary voice of the project is Sarah Sturm, the collaboration reflects the strategic goals of both Bivo and Protect Our Winters. Although official statements from Bivo leadership were not included in the initial release, the company’s mission statement emphasizes "a thirst for a better future," focusing on the intersection of performance and environmental health.
Stacie Sullivan, representing Protect Our Winters, emphasized the importance of storytelling in climate advocacy. In her analysis of the project, Sullivan noted that the bottle serves as a "reminder to protect what you love," a core tenet of the POW philosophy. The organization frequently utilizes its "Bike Alliance" members to humanize the impacts of climate change, such as how shifting weather patterns affect trail access, air quality for athletes, and the preservation of high-desert and mountain ecosystems.
Sturm herself reflects on the project as a personal milestone. "It’s nice to remember that we’re all really busy and we all wear a lot of hats," Sturm stated, addressing the pressure on professional athletes to maintain a singular focus. "But it’s also okay to focus back on other parts of your life that you’ve missed. Just because you’re not doing that thing every single day, it can still be a part of you."
Broader Impact and Implications for Climate Advocacy
The POW x Bivo collaboration suggests a shift in how environmental organizations communicate with the public. For years, climate messaging was dominated by "doom and gloom" narratives—images of melting glaciers and scorched earth. However, psychological research into climate communication suggests that such imagery can lead to "eco-paralysis," where the scale of the problem causes individuals to disengage.
Sturm’s "joyful" approach aligns with a new wave of advocacy that emphasizes the protection of "the places we ride, ski, and adventure in." By framing climate action as an act of love for a specific hobby or landscape, organizations like POW can lower the barrier to entry for political engagement. The water bottle, an essential tool for any cyclist or hiker, serves as a daily, functional touchpoint for this message.
Furthermore, the project sets a precedent for how professional athletes can manage their personal brands. In an era where "influencer" culture often prioritizes superficial engagement, Sturm’s involvement in the actual design and conceptualization of the product offers a model for deeper, more authentic partnerships. It demonstrates that professional athletes can be contributors to the "creative economy" while simultaneously supporting non-profit missions.
Conclusion and Market Availability
The POW x Bivo bottle, featuring the original artwork of Sarah Sturm, is currently available through the Protect Our Winters official shop. As a limited-edition release, the product is positioned as a collector’s item for fans of Sturm’s racing career and supporters of environmental policy reform.
The success of this collaboration will likely influence future projects within the POW Bike Alliance, as the organization continues to seek innovative ways to fund its operations and expand its reach. For Sturm, the project remains a testament to the idea that creativity and high-performance athletics are not mutually exclusive, but rather complementary forces that can be harnessed to address the most pressing challenges of the modern era. As the outdoor industry continues to grapple with its own carbon footprint and the impacts of a changing climate, initiatives that prioritize durability, art, and advocacy offer a viable path forward for both brands and consumers.
