Bicycling Rewards Program

Who is this program for?

• People 18 years old and older
• People who live within Denver city limits, though some exceptions may be made for people who live nearby but come into Denver city limits frequently
• People who mostly get around by car, whether you own it or not, whether you drive or someone drives you
• Our target participants are residents of the Neighborhood Equity & Stabilization (NEST) areas of Denver, which are neighborhoods identified by the Department of Economic Development & Opportunity as historically disinvested communities in danger of gentrification: Globeville, Elyria Swansea, Clayton, Montbello, Sun Valley, Villa Park, Lincoln Park, Barnum West, Barnum, Valverde, Westwood, Athmar Park, Mar Lee, Ruby Hill, College View, East Colfax, Windsor, Kennedy.
• We are further prioritizing people who have been burdened the most from our current transportation system and would stand to benefit the most from participating in this program, both short-term (through the financial and educational incentives) and long-term (through a city-wide shift to an equitable transportation system):
  • People of color
  • People with lower income

How does the program work?

There are three different ways to participate in the program.

• Model 1: Mileage reimbursement
  For all transportation-related trips (not for recreation) made by bicycle, participants will be paid $1 per mile, up to $200 per month (capped at 85 participants).
• Model 2: Wrap-around support
  Participants will receive “Confident Commuter” training; up to four hours of personalized coaching; up to $500 for bicycle accessories, repairs, and/or toward the purchase of a bicycle (non-electric); and $200 upon completion of the pilot program for anyone who uses a bicycle for transportation at least once per week during the pilot period (capped at 15 participants).
  • More information about the “Confident Commuter” training:
    • There will be tailored options for e-bicycle and non-e-bicycle riders.
    • It will be 60 to 90 minutes.
    • The training will include but not be limited to: rules of the road, bicycle infrastructure, avoiding common bicycle-vehicle conflicts, bicycle maintenance, and considerate behavior traveling alongside pedestrians.
    • The training will be offered at least three different times during March.
    • Participants in Model 1 who are interested in the training will be welcome to attend at no cost, but their attendance is not mandatory for participation in the pilot program.
• Model 3: Mileage reimbursement + wrap-around support
  Participants will receive the benefits of both Models 1 & 2 above (capped at 15 participants).

What are the requirements?

• All program participants:
  • Must own a smartphone with reliable internet service OR have access to a computer with reliable internet service
  • Must have a secure location to lock and store the bicycle when not in use
• Model 1: Participants must have access to a bicycle of any kind (can be electric)
• Model 2: No additional requirements for Model 2
• Model 3: Participants must be able to provide information to complete a W9 IRS form (Social Security Number)

What’s the timeline?

• January–February: Applications are open.
• Early March: Selected applicants will be notified.
• March: Baseline data on current transportation habits will be collected from participants. Participants will attend an introduction session near where they live to learn about the details of the program and their model in particular, to fill out and turn in their W9 form for payment processing, to learn how to use the trip tracking app, and to get questions answered—Participants of Models 2 & 3 will complete “Confident Commuter” training, meet their coaches, and receive their $500 stipend toward bicycle needs during this time.
• April–June: Participants track all destination trips taken by bicycle. Each month, we will check in with participants about the program and provide technical assistance with the app or desktop program, and pay participants for their trips taken by bicycle. Participants will be able to share information with each other. Participants of Models 2 & 3 will receive their final stipend when they have successfully finished the program.
• End of June: Participants will take a survey about the program and their experience.

Please email adrienne@denverstreetspartnership.org if you have any questions.

Why are we doing this?

Colorado is struggling to meet its climate goals, largely because too many people drive too often in too big of vehicles, and this is also the case in Denver, where transportation was responsible for 30% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2018. Our goal is to research what incentives work best to encourage people to choose riding a bicycle more often instead of driving and to get the incentives into the hands of people who could benefit the most.