Notice of Request for Information - Youth Bicycle Education Grant Program

Introduction

This Request for Information is issued by the DC Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) to gather input on the need for different types of youth bicycle education and to help shape upcoming youth bicycle programming in the District.

Background

DOEE receives federal funds to support a grant program dedicated to expanding bike access and education to young residents in the District. Originally, this grant program focused on holding bike repair clinics at farmers markets and other community events. However, to better reach the target audience for this grant program, DOEE and its grantees pivoted to focus on meeting youth where they were directly, integrating within afterschool and summer programming to host educational clinics on bicycle safety and repair principles. This introduced youth participants to both access to bike riding and exposure to potential careers in the biking industry. These clinics have taught hundreds of young residents' important skills like safe bike riding procedures, bicycle maintenance practices, and fostered a deeper appreciation for biking as a form of sustainable transportation in their communities. In its most recent iteration, grantees have also incorporated e-bikes into their curriculum, hosted community rides, and performed cleanups on public bike trails. Future grant programs will build on the previous success of the program and bring in new ideas that will foster even more growth and biking interest.

Purpose

DOEE will use the responses to this RFI to inform the development of the next iteration of the District's youth bicycle education grant program. While continuing to prioritize instruction in safe riding practices and bicycle maintenance, DOEE seeks to expand the program to include additional components not previously offered. The intent is to introduce new programmatic elements that address existing gaps in youth engagement and bicycle education within the Washington, DC cycling community.

Potential Respondents

DOEE requests responses from individuals and organizations that have experience with bicycle education practices, youth engagement on sustainable transportation, and those with professional experience in bicycle maintenance and safety training. Potential respondents may include, but are not limited to:

• Organizations interested in active transportation;
• Community bike ride hosts;
• District youth interested in bicycle programming in their community;
• Public educators;
• Community leaders;
• Bicycle shop employees or owners; or
• Any other entity interested in expanding youth education in bike riding.

RFI Questions

Educational Programming

1. What types of bicycle educational programs should DOEE offer District youth?
2. What additional topics, beyond safety and maintenance clinics, should DOEE prioritize in future bike-related grants?
3. What do you see as the biggest obstacle to expanding youth bike riding across the District?
4. What do you see as the biggest obstacle to expanding youth bike riding for youth living in communities that have seen disproportionately low levels of community investment?
5. How can DOEE bicycle education better connect to existing programs within DC Public Schools?
6. What information do grantees need to determine and ensure the program is achieving its intended goal?
7. What role should e-bike education have in future grant programming?

Community Bike Riding

8. To your knowledge, what are the exact administrative steps needed for a community organization to host a "Bike Bus?" (Permits, fees, approvals from DC government agencies, coordination with MPD, etc.)
9. How could DC government make it easier to host or expand grow Bike Buses in local communities?
10. How can DOEE combine environmental education with group riding events like a Bike Bus or a community bike ride?
11. How can youth bike riding education be used to increase awareness of, and access to, the
District's broader transportation options, including public transit and Capital Bikeshare?

Other Comments Requested

12. Please share any other thoughts you may have regarding youth bicycle education and access to active transportation.

Response Submission

Please submit all responses or additional questions to [email protected] byDecember 10th, 2026