Description
Bicycle/e-bicycle distribution programs provide low cost long-term access and ownership to bicycles and electric bicycles. Ownership of bikes/e-bike can enable participants to replace short vehicle trips with a form of active transportation.
Implementation Details
- Identify priority populations, such as low-income communities, essential workers, students, or underserved transit communities.
- Partner with local governments with appropriate administration capabilities, such as utilities, or air districts to distribute bicycles or electric bicycles.
- Provide complementary services, such as bike amenities distribution, maintenance education, and bike safety to encourage prolonged use.
Mitigation Potential
Bicycle distributions increase the convenience of biking, making biking a more attractive alternative to Single Occupancy Vehicles. Impacts on VMT will vary based on the location and connection of the bicycle networks to local/regional networks and transit stops.
Linked Strategies
Equity Considerations
Dedicating land for Class I bike trails enhances low-stress transportation options for residents without vehicles and improves regional connectivity for historically underserved neighborhoods. Prioritizing trail development in communities lacking safe bicycle infrastructure helps reduce mobility barriers, particularly for youth and seniors. Trail design should ensure ADA compliance and safe access points from surrounding areas.
Funding Sources
Bicycle and e-bicycle distribution programs can be funded through public, private, or a combination of both. Costs may be shared by many municipalities or partners within the region and can be paid for with utility / CCA funds, air district funds, CMAQ funding, active transportation programs, or general planning funds. Developers, employers, community based organizations can provide sponsorship to offset the purchase cost of bikes/e-bikes.
Implemented in Marin County
Current TDM Implementation
Current TDM Implementation: MTC has piloted E-bike distribution on the I-580 corridor as part of the Richmond San Rafael Bridge forward project, and the Air District provides bike purchase funding through the clean cars for all programs to qualifying neighborhoods.
TDM Benefit Locations
This TDM measure could be administered in Marin by MCE Community Energy and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD), which both have resources and goals that align with the distribution of bikes and e-bikes.