With support from Outride, SRAM, Drunken Fruit, and Seneca Village Bicycles we are offering loaned bikes to young people who are interested in riding for transportation, sport, and community engagement.
REQUIREMENTS:
-Be 14 to 21 years of age; if you are under 18, a parent or guardian's permission is required.
-Be a confident rider
-Be a resident of NYC or surrounding counties
-If under 18, have the permission of a parent or guardian
-Have space and inclination to store the bike inside. Bikes cannot be stored outside.
PROCESS:
-Applicants are evaluated based on previous cycling experience
-Previous Ride Up Grades riders are highly preferred
-Riders and guardians will be contacted based on bike availability
-Applicants being considered for sponsorship who have never ridden with Ride Up Grades staff before must provide proof of ability via video or they will be required to meet the program director for a ride prior to sponsorship approval.
-We are looking for riders who are eager to ride, committed, and/or who want to make a change to be more active. We do require a moderate to advanced level of bike handling and street safety skills to consider use of the bike safe for the applicant.
-Selected applicants will have to come pick up their bike, sign a hard copy version of the waiver and a form detailing the bike and pickup time. If applicants are under 18, a parent/guardian must be present for pickup/drop off.
EXPECTATIONS
-Meet your ride mileage requirements and bonus points for exceeding them!
-Start something! It could be a weekly or monthly group ride with classmates. It could be organizing a bike safety class in your school. It could be an advertising campaign, or even making your own bike gear or product. Get creative and create a space for more riders. We can support any dream you have!
-We require that all riders represent sponsors Ride Up Grades, Seneca Village Bicycles, Outride, and Ostroy, as well as themselves in a favorable light, and support the bicycle community as a whole by being a good ambassador for the pastime. We do not tolerate any forms of racism, sexism, ageism or form of discrimination. Keep it positive and keep it respectful.
-Repeated no shows to group rides or lack of communication with rider organizers is another big no-no. We respect each others' time and commitments.
-Bikes need regular maintenance to prevent extreme parts damage and expensive repairs, and to minimize risk. Bikes provided should be cared for independently by the recipients. Ride Up Grades does not cover maintenance, but we are happy to introduce you to our shop partners for this program, Seneca Village Bicycles and Trek bikes.
-The bikes are loans, and riders are responsible for returning the bike or equivalent value. Ride Up Grades cannot replace stolen bikes! Typically we loan road or gravel bikes, which are expensive. It only takes about 60 seconds to cut a U-lock with an angle grinder.
