Denver Streets Partnership and Denver’s Office of Climate Action, Sustainability, and Resiliency are teaming up to offer a program that will pay local residents for opting to use their bicycles for commuting.

The program, dubbed the ‘Bicycle Rewards Program,’ aims to encourage locals to ride a bicycle instead of driving in response to Denver’s struggle to meet climate goals.

Applications to participate in the program are open through February 29, with the program set to run March through June.

There are three ways to participate:

Option 1: Mileage reimbursement – Up to 85 participants will receive a $1 per mile traveled on a bike for the sake of transportation (not recreation). Participants can earn up to $200 per month.

Option 2: Wrap-around support – Participants get commuter training and up to four hours of personalized coaching, as well as up to $500 for bike-related costs and $200 upon completion of the program requirements. These participants must use a bicycle for transportation at least once per week during a pilot period, with a 15 participant cap for this option.

Option 3: Mileage reimbursement + Wrap-around support – This option combines benefits and requirements of options one and two, capped at 15 participants.

The program is open to people living within Denver city limits who are 18 years of age or older. Applicants should mostly travel by car, with target participants being residents of ‘NEST’ areas – historically disinvested communities at risk of gentrification including Globeville, Elyria Swansea, Clayton, Montbello, Sun Valley, Villa Park, Lincoln Park, Barnum West, Barnum, Valverde, Westwood, Athmar Park, Mar Lee, Ruby Hill, College View, East Colfax, Windsor, and Kennedy. The selection process will prioritize “people who have been burdened the most from our current transportation system,” with the website noting this includes people of color and people with lower income. All program participants must also have a smartphone with internet service or access to a computer with reliable internet service and a secure location to lock and store their bicycle when not being used. Additional rules and requirements may apply.

Read more about this program and apply to be involved here.

The program is also seeking to hire three ‘bike buddies’ to assist participants.

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