Sun Valley e-bike project
Michael Hughes • January 1, 2025
Expanding e-bike access in Sun Valley
E-bikes can provide a practical, lower-cost alternative to owning a car. Their speed and range make longer trips more manageable, while electric assistance can make cycling accessible to people who may find a traditional bike difficult to use. However, the upfront cost puts e-bikes beyond the reach of many households.
In 2021 and 2022, West Corridor TMA, Transportation Solutions, and a team of housing and community partners worked to expand e-bike access for residents with low incomes in Denver’s Sun Valley neighborhood. The project reflected West Corridor’s commitment to creating convenient, affordable, and sustainable transportation options that enhance mobility and connect people with economic opportunities.
One participant demonstrated the potential impact. E., a Sun Valley resident who did not have a driver’s license, purchased an e-bike in 2016. He quickly began using it to earn income delivering food, stay active, and spend time riding with his daughter. He described the bike as “a diamond”—a valuable tool that supported both his livelihood and quality of life.
The project originally sought to serve as many residents as possible by placing a fleet of 40 e-bikes in shared libraries at affordable housing communities. After opening the first library, however, the team encountered significant operational challenges. Strong security measures made the bikes difficult to access, while easier access increased the risk of theft. The libraries also required more staffing, maintenance, and day-to-day management than anticipated.
Working with Denver Housing Authority staff, the team shifted its approach. Rather than continuing with an under-resourced library model, the remaining 38 e-bikes were distributed directly to residents who needed and wanted them most.
The experience offered an important lesson for future programs: e-bike access can create meaningful transportation and economic benefits, but shared libraries require dedicated resources for staffing, maintenance, security, and user support. When those resources are unavailable, direct bike ownership may offer a more effective path to lasting mobility.
Reducing barriers to transit
Planning trips and elevating resident voices
Connecting West Denver to free transportation
Building skills, safety, and independence
Expanding Access to Transit
Connecting residents with mobility resources
Imagine getting paid to ride your bike. That’s exactly what happened during our Drive Less Ride More program from April 1 to June 23, 2024, when the City and County of Denver’s Office of Climate Action, Sustainability, and Resiliency (CASR) funded an innovative program to encourage people to swap their car trips for bike rides. The Program For 12 weeks, 387 participants earned incentives for tracking their bike trips on mywaytogo.org, ultimately earning a total of $43,340 in rewards. Incentives were distributed through an online gift card service, allowing participants to receive Visa or Mastercard gift cards for their rides. But the program wasn’t just about financial rewards; it also created a thriving biking community. We hosted eight meet-up events in partnership with local businesses, including Raices Brewery, Novel Strand Brewing, Sweet Action, and Totem Bicycles. We provided bikers with the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals. Participants overwhelmingly enjoyed these gatherings, reporting they had a great time meeting fellow cyclists and feeling part of a larger movement. Cash vs. Lottery: What Works Best? Participants were randomly divided into two groups to test different incentive strategies: Group A: Earned $2 per ride for their first 8 rides each week and $3 per ride for their next 4 rides, up to 12 rides per week. Group B: Earned $2 per ride for 12 rides, plus an entry into a $250 lottery for each ride they took. Both incentive strategies effectively encouraged participants to replace car trips with bike rides, but the lottery-based incentive in Group B resulted in a higher percentage of participants replacing more trips. This suggests that the possibility of a bigger payout might be more motivating than guaranteed smaller payments. Participant Feedback Throughout the program, participants completed surveys and shared their experiences. Here’s what they had to say: "This program pushed me to ride more than I ever have." "I explored so many new trails that I never would have discovered." "It helped me develop a regular biking routine." "I feel healthier and fitter than I did before." "I feel more connected to nature and my community." "I’m way more comfortable biking now than when I started." The Impact In just 12 weeks, the program had a huge impact: 26,457 bike trips taken 123,829 miles traveled by bike 55.6 tons of CO2 saved $82,000 saved in transportation costs 6.3 million calories burned Key Takeaway Incentive programs work! Whether through direct cash payments or a lottery system, paying people to bike is an effective way to encourage sustainable transportation choices. If you’ve been looking for a reason to ditch your car and hop on a bike, this program proves that the benefits, both personal and environmental, are well worth it. Stay tuned for more updates on how we’re working to get more people riding in Denver!
In the face of growing environmental challenges and a collective effort towards more sustainable practices, businesses have a unique opportunity to lead by example. The Colorado Clean Commute Badge is more than just a recognition, it’s a commitment to a greener future and a healthier, more engaged community. Here’s why your organization should take the step to apply for this prestigious badge. What Is the Colorado Clean Commute Badge? The Colorado Clean Commute Badge is a state-wide program designed to celebrate businesses that promote sustainable commuting practices. Whether it’s encouraging employees to bike, carpool, take public transit, or work remotely, this badge recognizes employers who prioritize reducing their carbon footprint and enhance the well-being of their team. Benefits of Earning the Badge 1. Enhance Your Reputation New employees, consumers, and clients value businesses that demonstrate commitment to sustainability. Displaying the Colorado Clean Commute Badge on behalf of your organization shows that your organization is taking tangible steps to address climate change and foster community well-being. It’s a visible mark of leadership in sustainability and working towards a better, greener world. 2. Attract and Retain Top Talent Today’s workforce is more eco-conscious than ever. By offering clean commute incentives, you’re aligning with the values of current and prospective employees. Programs like subsidized transit passes, bike storage, or flexible work hours show you care about your team’s quality of life and the planet. 3. Boost Employee Engagement and Productivity Employees who have access to stress-free, sustainable commuting options are often happier and more productive. When employees avoid long, stressful, congested drives to work, they come to work with less stress and more time to focus on being productive both personally and professionally. 4. Support Local and State Goals Colorado is actively working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality. Participating in the Clean Commute Badge program aligns your business with these broader efforts, contributing to a healthier environment for everyone. 5. Cost Savings Sustainable commuting options can lower transportation costs for employees and employers alike. From reduced parking needs to lower mileage reimbursements, promoting clean commuting is a win-win. How to Get Started Applying for the Colorado Clean Commute Badge is straightforward and impactful. Here are the steps to get started: Meet with West Corridor Meet with our team to discuss your current and desired commute programs for your employees to get started! We can give you resources on what to offer to your employees, how to improve your current offers, and which commute programs are a good fit for your workplace. Email us at info@westcorridor.org to get started! Implement Sustainable Commute Initiatives Introduce programs such as discounted transit passes, bike-to-work incentives, or carpool matching services. Consider offering remote work options where feasible. Apply for the Badge Visit the official Colorado Clean Commute Badge website to complete the application process. Showcase the steps you’ve taken and share your vision for a more sustainable future. Promote Your Achievement Once you’ve earned the badge, share the news! Highlight your accomplishments on your website, social media, and internal communications to inspire others and celebrate your team’s efforts. Apply Today! Earning the Colorado Clean Commute Badge is about more than recognition—it’s about being part of the solution to some of our biggest environmental and social challenges. By taking action, your business can drive meaningful change while reaping the rewards of a happier, healthier, and more engaged workforce. Ready to make an impact? Start your journey toward earning the Colorado Clean Commute Badge today and join the growing movement of businesses shaping a cleaner, brighter future for Colorado.
For those who currently drive: I pledge to replace one drive-alone trip per week for eight weeks starting today. I will challenge myself to switch one trip from driving alone to sustainable modes such as walking, biking, scooting, taking transit, and carpooling. For everyone: As a member of this community, I will do my part and commit to keeping Denver’s streets safe for everyone traveling to their next destination. I also pledge to encourage others to adopt safe driving practices. Click here to take the pledge!
During July and August, RTD will offer zero fares across its system as part of the Zero Fare for Better Air initiative. This collaborative, statewide initiative, made possible by Colorado Senate Bill 22-180, in partnership with the Colorado Energy Office, is designed to reduce ground-level ozone by increasing the use of public transit. Current RTD customers will also benefit as they will not have to use or purchase fare products from July 1 - August 31, during Colorado’s high ozone season. As summer begins, we hope you will try something new, even if it’s only one day a week. Or, if you've already been riding transit, enjoy the zero cost of riding! There will be a special rider appreciation day on Tuesday, July 25. Be sure to save the date for Transit Day and remind yourself to ride on that day to take advantage of community events throughout Denver. Details to come about a West Corridor event the morning of Transit Day!