Colorado “Can Do” free ebikes program for low income essential workers

[Dewey]

Can Do Colorado eBike Pilot Program | Colorado Energy Office

Can Do Colorado eBike Fall 2020 Mini-Pilot Program In June 2020, the Polis Administration launched the Can Do Colorado Community Challenge to provide resources to local communities and businesses to help safely reopen the economy after COVID-19 restrictions and work toward a healthier, more...

energyoffice.colorado.gov

Request for applications proposals are due 2/25/21 for the spring 2021 funding round

 

[Art Deco]

Can Do Colorado eBike Pilot Program | Colorado Energy Office

Can Do Colorado eBike Fall 2020 Mini-Pilot Program In June 2020, the Polis Administration launched the Can Do Colorado Community Challenge to provide resources to local communities and businesses to help safely reopen the economy after COVID-19 restrictions and work toward a healthier, more...

energyoffice.colorado.gov

Request for applications proposals are due 2/25/21 for the spring 2021 funding round

@Dewey Do you know If this a new program or accepting applicants for a new year to an up and running program?
A quick scan looks like it could be either. I assumed it is new.

 

[JRA]

Awesome!

 

[Dewey]

The website linked describes this program is new, state money was set aside last summer and a pilot of 13 ebikes was run in Denver. The site documents include the RFA that states:
“This solicitation is open to all public, private, and nonprofit entities. While we expect most applicants to be partnerships that include a bike shop or bike manufacturer partner, bike shops may submit applications as a lead applicant.”
The project RFA document lists a quarterly reporting requirement and equity metrics to measure success.

I like how applicant organizations are encouraged to partner with local bike shops like Front Range Cargo Bikes in Boulder, or eBikes USA in Denver, or alternatively work directly with ebike brands like Gazelle whose US offices are in Santa Cruz, CA.

Here in the Washington DC area, at the start of the pandemic with the shut down of much of the Metro transit system BikeMatchDC set out to identify essential workers who needed a pedal bike but soon ran out of bikes, then local area governments and businesses who cofund Capital Bikeshare stepped up offering free memberships to Essential Workers and their 5,000 shared bike fleet includes some ebikes. This looks like a great program and I look forward to reading the evaluation reports, way to go Colorado!