Traffic & Transit
Want A Free E-Bike? Deadline For Worcester Program Is Thursday
MassBike is giving out about 100 e-bikes to people who live or work in Worcester as part of a study of bicycle infrastructure.
WORCESTER, MA — Riding a bike in Worcester can be daunting, either because of the steep hills or the limited safe places to ride on city streets. A new program from a statewide bicycling group is trying to tackle both of those problems.
MassBike is giving away 100 free electronic-assist bicycles to people who either live or work in Worcester. The e-bikes come with batteries that provide power while pedaling uphill, and data from the program will be used by the city to evaluate potential new bike routes. The program also aims to expand biking opportunities for low-income residents.
To get a free e-bike, fill out an application on the MassBike website. Participants have to be 18 or older, and must take three classes to learn how to use and maintain the e-bikes. People who get the bikes must use them through spring 2024 to allow the city to collect data on ridership. After that, participants get to keep the bikes.
The deadline to apply is June 30, and bikes should be distributed sometime in July, according to MassBike.
As of 2022, Worcester has a few unprotected bike lanes along roads like Main Street (from Highland to Pleasant), most of Hamilton Street and parts of Southbridge Street. Worcester also has some "sharrow" lanes, where bikes and vehicles share a single lane.
MassBike is offering the free e-bikes thanks to a $440,000 grant from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center.
