A new lottery system aims to help low- and middle-income Cambridge residents purchase new bicycles.
The Resident Bike Lottery System is accepting applications through March 30 for vouchers up to $3,000 to buy regular bicycles, e-bikes and cargo bikes at participating bike shops in the city. Applicants are required to submit a photo ID; proof of residence in the city; and participation in a government benefits program, such as SNAP or Section 8, or proof of income below 65% of the area median income for their household size .
The vouchers will be issued through a random lottery. Winners will receive up to $800 for traditional bikes, up to $2,000 for electric bicycles and up to $3,000 for bikes that have space for cargo or other passengers. People with chronic disabilities can apply for up to $3,000 for adaptive bikes with wheelchair attachments.
Residents who are selected will also get a $150 voucher toward safety and comfort accessories and a $100 voucher for maintenance.
“This program is to get bikes into people’s hands,” said Stephanie Groll, Cambridge’s director of transportation planning.
“One of our main goals is to support health and community connection,” she said. “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.”
Advocates are hailing the program as a significant step toward removing barriers for people who would otherwise struggle to afford bicycles.
“Cambridge is putting its money where its mouth is,” said Makayla Comas, interim co-executive director of the transportation advocacy group Livable Streets. “This program kind of opens up or diversifies the type of people that we will see on bikes.”
Comas added that the lottery will be especially useful for low-income people who can’t afford a car and don’t have access to quality public transit.
“It is a great opportunity for folks to reduce the cost of mobility, because we know that cars can be really expensive outside of just paying for it, but in terms of gas or maintenance,” she said.
Boston launched a similar program aimed at helping residents purchase e-bikes in 2024. Both Cambridge and Boston’s programs are funded through the American Rescue Plan Act. Cambridge does not currently have plans to continue its program after ARPA funds run out, but the city will review data surrounding the lottery system in the months ahead to evaluate whether a permanent plan is feasible.
Later this year, the city plans to launch an additional program to help businesses purchase new e-bikes.
