Need a Free Bike? Cambridge Unveils Lottery System for Low-, Middle-Income Residents
Cambridge has launched a Resident Bike Lottery System aimed at helping low- and middle-income residents acquire new bicycles.
The Resident Bike Lottery System accepts applications from residents through March 30 for vouchers ranging from $800 for traditional bikes to $3,000 for cargo and adaptive bikes designed for individuals with disabilities. To apply for a voucher, residents must submit a photo ID, proof of residency, and documentation showing participation in a government benefits program or an income below 65% of the area median income for their household size.
Residents selected to receive the bikes will also receive a $150 voucher for safety accessories and maintenance, valued at $100.
“One of our main goals is to support health and community connection,” said Stephanie Groll, Cambridge’s director of transportation planning, in an interview with WGBH. “We know that people on bikes have an easier time running into people we know, stopping to have short chats. And in this moment when there are historic levels of loneliness, we’re really hoping that bicycling can help give people more of a feeling of community.”
Cambridge’s bike initiative is funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), mirroring a similar program launched in Boston in 2024 that focused on helping residents acquire e-bikes. According to the WGBH report, Cambridge does not have plans to renew its pilot bike program after the ARPA funds are exhausted. The city will review data on the lottery system to assess its effectiveness for a permanent plan. Later this year, Cambridge aims to introduce a new initiative to help businesses purchase e-bikes.