Cambridge Bicycle Access Programs

Cambridge Bike Give Back will continue to provide refurbished bicycles, as available, to Cambridge adults and children who need them.

If you are interested in getting a bike, please email cambridgebikegiveback@gmail.com with BIKE REQUEST in the subject line. Please include the rider's age, gender, and a phone number where you can be reached.

To find out about events and bike giveaways, follow Cambridge Bike Give Back on Instagram and Facebook.

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

Who was 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.

Bicycle vouchers could be used at participating bike shops and were awarded through a random lottery. Residents who were selected to receive a bicycle voucher also received a $150 voucher for accessories that made bicycling more comfortable and safer, as well as a $100 voucher for bicycle maintenance not covered by the manufacturer's warranty. The maintenance voucher was 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 were responsible for any cost above the awarded voucher amount.

Note to applicants on the wait list:

We will continue to award bicycle vouchers to eligible wait list applicants as funding becomes available. Vouchers are being awarded more gradually, so it may take several months to receive a decision on your application. All applicants will be notified through the portal when a decision has been made.

 

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
• offer or commit to offer a non-third-party delivery option to customers, and
• 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

The application period for this program is now closed. 

 

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