Overcoming transportation barriers
This program serves individuals in the Reno-Sparks metro area living at or under 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines and struggling to afford and access transportation – an essential factor in obtaining and keeping employment. BLCP participants must be referred by a case manager (or similar) from an agency in our community because they request and demonstrate a need to overcome transportation barriers.
The costs associated with maintaining a bike are a fraction of the alternatives: the average annual operating cost for a bicycle is $308 vs. $8,469 for an automobile and vs. $780 for bus passes. The BLCP eases the initial cost of bicycle ownership by subsidizing high-quality commuter bicycles and U-locks for program participants, with the option to add commuter essentials (such as lights, racks, panniers, and tools) and upgrade the tires or seat, at steep discounts.