The Ride2Own Application Process

Our goal is to support e-bike ownership for people who don’t already have easy access or comfortability with e-biking.

People of color, women, and those from low-income households are strongly encouraged to apply.

01 — Review Eligibility

Core requirements: 

  • Commitment to participate in the program and ride your bike regularly for one year.

  • Age 18 +

  • Live in Milwaukie, Hillsboro, or Portland’s Parkrose neighborhood

  • Household income of 100% or less of Oregon’s State Median Income

  • Household of 1: $80,080 or less*

  • Household of 2: $91,520 or less

  • Household of 3: $102,960 or less

  • Household of 4: $114,400 or less

  • Household of 5: $123,552 or less

  • Household of 6: $132,704 or less

  • Household of 7: $141,856 or less

    *If you live in a household with a roommate or someone you are not related to, you may identify the household size as one individual.

    Please note that our applicant selection process will prioritize supporting low-income applicants. 

02 — Review Program Benefits

Program participants will receive:

  • An e-bike (limited cargo e-bikes will also be available)

  • Free bike gear essentials

  • Free bike tune ups, repair, and part replacement

  • Free bike trainings and support services

  • Opportunities to attend free community biking events 

  • Free membership to The Street Trust

03 — Review Commitments

By applying, you agree to the following if accepted:

  • Ride your e-bike throughout the full year

    • While there isn't a minimum riding requirement, we expect participants to utilize their e-bikes to benefit from the program. If a participant is not using their bike, they will be required to return the bike to the program hosts so it may be given to a waitlisted participant.

  • Track your bike rides via our partner smartphone app OpenPATH

    • Developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and tracks data anonymously

  • Complete 4 interviews throughout the year to give us feedback

  • Attend 4 bike education workshops from The Street Trust throughout the year

04 — Submit Application & Proof of Income

The program application includes questions about who you are, your current relationship with biking, what other forms of transportation you use, and what you want to gain from the program.

The application also asks you to submit proof of income for eligibility. To do so, please send an email with your proof of income as an attachment to support@ride2own.org.

Proof of income options include:

  • Pay Stub

  • Letter from employer

  • Annual Tax Return

  • W-2

  • Proof of participation in any of the following:

    • Oregon Trail Card (SNAP)

    • Oregon Health Plan members (OHP)

    • TriMet Low-income Pass

Applications reviewed on a rolling basis.

05 — Selection Process

Our team is excited to select 25 participants in Hillsboro, 25 participants in Milwaukie, and 25 participants in Portland’s Parkrose neighborhood .

If you meet the qualifications and are a good fit for our program, you will hear from us 2 weeks before the program start date.

Program orientation dates are tentatively scheduled for:

  • Saturday, April 27th in Parkrose

  • Saturday, May 4th in Milwaukie

  • Saturday, May 18th in Hillsboro.

We will reach you via the contact information you provide on your application with next steps and further details.

06 — Acceptance & Next Steps

Once you’re accepted, we will send you a Participant Agreement and Liability Form for your signature.

Dates for our program orientation, bike education classes, and program check-ins will also be provided.