Cambridge Bicycle Access Programs

This program helps eligible Cambridge residents get refurbished bicycles through the City’s partnership with Cambridge Bike Give Back (CBGB). CBGB is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 2021. CBGB receives donated bikes, refurbishes them, and gives them away for free to kids and adults who need them.

The City of Cambridge Community Development Department has partnered with CBGB to expand their program. CBGB will fix up 800 donated bicycles and give them to qualifying Cambridge residents. Residents can qualify for a CBGB bike in two ways:

1. You may qualify if you live in certain areas (qualifying census tracts) in Cambridge (see a map of these areas here).
2. You may qualify if you live somewhere else in Cambridge and get public benefits, such as WIC, SNAP, MassHealth, Section 8, and others.

For more information and to apply for a free bicycle, click here.

Apply Here

This program is for income-eligible adults who live in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Residents can apply for a voucher to buy a new bicycle from a participating bike shop. Applicants can apply for a pedal bike, e-bike, or an e-cargo bike. Residents with a chronic disability can apply for a customized adaptive bicycle or electric wheelchair attachment.

Who is eligible to apply for this program?

• Cambridge residents 
  • Age: 16+ for pedal bikes; 18+ for e-bikes.
  • Income:
    • Proof of participation in government benefits programs such as WIC, SNAP, MassHealth, Section 8, etc. OR
    • Proof of income below 65% of area median income for household size.

Vouchers for bicycles can be used at participating bike shops and will be awarded through a random lottery. Residents who are selected to receive a voucher for a bicycle will also receive a $150 voucher toward accessories that make riding a bicycle more comfortable and safer, as well as a $100 voucher toward bicycle maintenance that is not covered and/or no longer covered by manufacturer’s warranty. The maintenance voucher will be valid for one year from the date of issue.

Bicycle Type	Bicycle Description	Voucher Amount
Pedal Bike	A regular bicycle	Up to $800
E-Bike	A bicycle with a motor, powered by a battery. E-Bikes make it easier to travel farther distances with less effort.	Up to $2,000
E-Cargo Bike	A bicycle with a motor, powered by a battery. Has space (in front or back) for cargo or passengers.	Up to $3,000
Adaptive E-Bike or Electric Handcycle Wheelchair Attachment	Devices used by adults with permanent or chronic disabilities who are unable to ride standard bikes.	Up to $3,000

Voucher recipients will be responsible for any cost above the awarded voucher amount.

Applications open March 10!

Receive the latest updates about the Cambridge Resident Bike Lottery in your e-mail. Please note that the newsletter signup is not an application for the program.

Apply Here

This program is for businesses in Cambridge, Massachusetts that were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Local businesses can apply for a voucher to purchase an electric cargo bicycle for making customer deliveries.

An electric cargo bicycle is a bicycle with an electric assist motor, with space for hauling cargo either in the front or back.

Vouchers will be issued in amounts up to $5,000 for the purchase of an electric cargo bicycle from a participating bike shop to support making deliveries by bicycle. Recipients will also get an additional voucher of $350 for accessories such as a helmet, bicycle lock, bicycle lights.

To be eligible, businesses must have a physical business address in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and offer or commit to offer a non-third-party delivery option to customers, and either:

• Demonstrate a negative economic impact from the COVID-19 pandemic by providing proof of loss sales through either tax filings or profit and loss statements OR
• Have been eligible for previous ARPA grants through programs administered by the Cambridge Community Development Department’s Economic Opportunity and Development Division.

Applications will open this spring!

Receive the latest updates about the Cambridge E-Cargo Delivery Bikes for Business Program in your e-mail. Please note that the newsletter signup is not an application for the program.

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If you have any questions about these programs or the application processes, please contact bikes@cambridgema.gov.