Earn-A-Bike

Bikes for All Mainers Program

2017 Applications are available here.

About

The Bikes for All Mainers Program, formerly the Bikes for New Mainers Program, is a partnership between the Bicycle Coalition of Maine, the Portland Gear Hub, and the MaineDOT. The program is designed to provide an opportunity for adults who do not have financial access to bikes, are undocumented or recent American immigrants, or live in communities under served by public transportation to acquire basic bicycle mechanic skills, learn to bicycle safely on Maine roadways, volunteer in their communities, and overcome some of their transportation challenges.

The program is open to anyone 18 or older who is interested in completing the following program requirements:

Attend and pass a bicycle skill test to demonstrate ability to ride a bicycle before the program begins. YOU MUST BE ABLE TO SAFELY RIDE A BICYCLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE BIKES FOR ALL MAINERS PROGRAM.

Attend 2 Bikes for All Mainers Mechanic courses (1st and 2nd Saturday every month, 9am-12pm at Portland Gear Hub)
Attend 2 Bikes for All Mainers Traffic Skill courses (3rd and 4th Saturday every month, 9am-12pm at Portland Gear Hub)
Volunteer 4 hours at the Portland Gear Hub or the Bicycle Coalition of Maine

All program requirements should be completed in a one-month period. Failure to complete ALL requirements within a timely manner will result in participant being dropped from the program and needing to re-apply.

Participants who complete the program will earn:

A fully functional refurbished bicycle
Helmet, lock, lights, and saddle bag filled with tools and accessories
Training on maintaining a bicycle, safe bicycle riding practices, and using accessories

The program will run for 6 months starting in May, and aims to graduate 24 people in 2017. We strongly encourage all persons who do not have other means of transportation to participate. Applicants will be chosen based on application date, availability, and willingness to commit to the program.