February 29, 2024 - California Air Resources Board
The City of Hayward has been recently awarded the California Air Resource Board’s Clean Mobility in Schools/Sustainable Transportation Equity Project FY22-23 grant funding for the Safe Routes and Active Transportation for Schools and Underserved Communities in Hayward Project. The project includes a citywide bike voucher program to promote active transportation and provide a path to affordable ownership for Hayward residents. The bike voucher program is expected to be available in 2026.
Signup for our Sustainability e-Newsletter, The Leaflet, to get updates about the bike voucher program, news about our sustainability programs and other Hayward environmental news.
What is Micromobility?
Micromobility is a term that describes forms of transportation that are small, low-speed, human or electric-powered. They are built for one rider at a time and include bicycles, electric bicycles (e-bikes), scooters, and electric scooters (e-scooters).
Learn more about Micromobility:
True Cost of Car Ownership | US EPA
Why We Need to Decarbonize Transportation | US EPA
California Releases World’s First Plan to Achieve Net Zero Carbon Pollution | California Governor
Micromobility: A Travel Mode Innovation | FHWA (dot.gov)
Study Shows How E-bikes Can Significantly Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions (treehugger.com)
How E-Bikes Can Save Cities (treehugger.com)
E-bikes could be a more affordable way to reduce emissions : NPR (includes 6min interview)
Sustainable Transportation: Hayward Rides & E-Bikes
Hayward Rides
Program Overview
The City of Hayward is excited to launch Hayward Rides, a program designed to provide residents with access to free bicycles, helping to make cycling a more accessible, affordable, and sustainable transportation option. Hayward Rides is one of the largest municipal bike programs in the country. The program aims to support residents and youth, especially those in disadvantaged and low-income communities, by providing bicycles and essential safety equipment. This program aims to promote healthy and sustainable transportation habits and foster a vibrant cycling community where residents feel a sense of belonging while biking around the City. Hayward Rides is planned to soft launch in May 2025 and a full launch in January 2026.
Program Design
Hayward Rides was developed based on ongoing outreach with Hayward communities to understand barriers to biking, type of preferred devices (i.e. conventional & electric bikes and scooters), and delivery methods.
Funding Source
Hayward Rides is part of the “Safe Routes to Active Transportation for Schools and Underserved Communities in Hayward” Project funded by the California Air Resource Board’s Clean Mobility in Schools Grant Program.
Your Participation Matters
To make Hayward Rides as effective as possible, the City has worked closely with local organizations and community partners to design a program that meets the diverse needs of residents. Outreach efforts, including surveys and interviews with over 1,000 residents, have helped shape key elements of the program. The City is also exploring ways to provide bicycle maintenance support and build a stronger biking culture in Hayward, ensuring that participants can safely and confidently incorporate biking into their daily lives.
Applicant Qualification
This program was designed to benefit low-income residents, disadvantaged communities, and high school students within the City of Hayward. To qualify for the program, applicants must live within the City of Hayward city limits. For applicants under 18 years of age, a parent or guardian must fill out application and, if selected, be in attendance to receive bike.
In addition to meeting the application requirements above, program applicants must also agree to the Bike Recipient Agreement. Recipients will be required to participate in quarterly surveys for at least a year.
Application is available through community-based organizations that work with low-income residents, disadvantaged communities and high school students. For questions and comments please reach out to HaywardRides@hayward-ca.gov or Inerimora@edenyouth.org
Recipient Selection Process
- Monthly Drawings: Each month, 100 recipients will be selected through a random drawing of a pool of pre-qualified applicants. Names not chosen will be re-entered into the next drawing each month. No names are removed. Bikes will be distributed at approximately monthly events. In the event that 100 bikes can not be built in time or distributed at an event, then the recipients selected will retain their position and be notified when they can receive their bike.
- Prioritized Selection: 75 recipients will be drawn from the high school student pre-qualified application pool. 25 recipients will be drawn from the general pre-qualified applicant pool. If one pool does not have enough applicants then they will be picked from the other pool and future drawings will be adjusted to match the change.
- Notification: Selected recipients will be notified two weeks prior to the scheduled giveaway event.
- Time Slot Sign-Up: Recipients will confirm their attendance for the pick up event by registering for a time slot to pick up their bike.
- Alternative Pickup Option: If a recipient is unable to attend the event, they may schedule a pickup at a later date from Eden Youth.
- Program Flexibility: The City may modify the recipient selection process as needed to address unforeseen challenges or improve program delivery.
Program FAQs
Do I qualify for the Hayward Rides bike giveaway program?
- Residents living within the City of Hayward defined boundaries qualify for this program. The program is designed to focus on giving bikes to low-income residents, disadvantaged communities, and high school students.
- Limit of 1 bike per resident.
What documentation will I need to fill out the application?
- No documentation is needed to fill out the application.
- Identification is required in order to receive the bike. Recipients will be required to bring either a driver’s license, school ID, utility bill, or passport. Applicants under 18 are required to have their parent or guardian complete the application for them and be in attendance in order to pick up their bike.
Is the bike free?
- Yes, the Hayward Rides program is giving away free bicycles, helmets, front and rear lights, locks and kicks stands with the bike.
Upcoming Bike Giveaway Events
- Hayward Public Library’s Trunk or Treat Promise Festival
- Location Heritage Plaza
- Date: October 25, 2025
- Time: 11 am – 3 pm
Upcoming Bike Workshops and Classes
- Coming Soon!
E-Bikes
Hayward's Climate Change Strategy promotes e-Bike ownership to cut greenhouse gas emissions. E-bikes offer a fun, versatile way to travel, expanding biking accessibility for all!
Background:
The city's Micromobility Feasibility Study, finished in late 2023, offers short-term solutions to reduce driving, parking demand, and boost walking, biking, and transit. By embracing e-bikes, Hayward advances towards eco-friendly transportation.
A climate leader, Hayward adopted the original Climate Action Plan (CAP) in 2009, reaffirming its dedication to sustainability. In January 2024, the City Council unanimously approved an updated CAP targeting a 15% increase in bike, e-bike, e-scooter, and walking commuters by 2030, slashing 6,485 metric tons of CO2.
E-bikes not only cut emissions but also foster an eco-conscious community, enhancing fitness and well-being.
Join us in choosing e-Bikes for a greener, safer, and livelier Hayward!
