Programs

Earn-a-Bike is a hands-on, bicycle-based, eight-week training program which introduces Hartford youth to the world of bicycles. Young people aged 13-19 earn their bicycle by learning about maintenance, Hartford’s bike history, bicycle science, and safety skills. Participants leave the program with a bicycle that they have tuned up and customized themselves.

BiCi Co. works with Hartford transition programs, local shelters, and the Center for Latino Progress’ job training programs to identify those who would benefit from using a bicycle to get to work.  Many recipients then return to BiCi Co. and volunteer on their own time.  Participants are referred by their program (using a simple form) and chip in $20, which may be sponsored by their referring organization.  They receive an up-cycled bicycle, a secure lock, bicycle lights, and a helmet.

The BikeLIFE! This yearly Hartford Festival for youth ages 8-19 is broken into two parts: 5 – 2hr Bicycle Safety Courses held throughout the week of Hartford Public School’s April break and one grand celebration festival on the final weekend of April break.

BiCi Co. provides an ideal venue for Center for Latino Progress interns to conduct service learning projects and make a difference.  Internships at BiCi Co. focus on building skills and employment readiness for participants.

In addition to informal learning and skill-sharing during DIY Member hours, BiCi Co. holds seminars and courses in bicycle safety and maintenance. Learn from experts and become an ambassador for Hartford’s growing active transportation community.

Do-It-Yourself repair and tune up your bicycle, shadow a mechanic or practice repairs on used bicycles in our full-service shop. Chat with expert bicycle mechanics and commuters. Share your skills and teach others what you know. Purchase bicycle parts — used and new — to complete your projects.

Transport Hartford and BiCi Co., both programs at the Center for Latino Progress, have combined forces to increase safety for those walking and biking. As long as supplies last, we provide FREE reflective bag tags and basic bicycle lights that are distributed at community events, schools, and the BiCi Co. 97 Park Street storefront. BiCi Co. also sells additional reflective gear and higher power bike lights.

BiCi Co. offered the Bikes and More Summer Camp first in Summer 2021.  Stay tuned for Summer 2022.  We’re also looking into after school camp opportunities.  Hands-on and on-bike learning is great for our youth, especially when combined with social, emotional activities.

Cycling is a great way to meet our neighbors and new friends.  BiCi Co. organizes Slow Roll family-friendly rides to explore different routes through the city.  

We are excited that City of Hartford is planning to start monthly DominGO Hartford open streets events on one Sunday each month, starting in May 2022.

Follow BiCi Co. on Facebook and sign up for the email newsletter for ride announcements.

BiCi Co. and our sister program, Transport Hartford Academy, advocate for safe and connected bike routes to and through the City of Hartford.

We attend the Hartford Complete Streets Task Force meetings and make sure that the voices of residents that walk, bike, and take transit in our city are supported in street design projects.

BiCi Co. organizes monthly Multimodal Meetups at locations across the city, focused on sustainable transportation topics.  Follow BiCi Co. on Facebook for the latest meetup announcements.

E-Bike Rebates Coming to CT in 2022

BiCi Co. knows that electric assist bicycle (e-bike) incentives for low income households would increase mobility, improve family budgets, and reduce traffic and pollution in our city.  E-bikes greatly increase range for non-car commuters and allow many different ability levels to realistically use a bicycle for every day commuting, shopping, and running errands.

We helped collect signatures and letters of support for an e-bike incentive from across the state in 2020 and are excited to see the SB-4 bill passed in 2022.  Thanks to all that reached out to their legislators and Governor Lamont to make this happen!

SB-4 Passed in 2022 with E-Bike Rebates/Vouchers!

E-Bike Financing from Connect Credit Union

Stay tuned to the CT DEEP CHEAPR page for e-bike incentive program info

The SB-4 law goes into effect in July 2022.  We don’t know yet when e-bike rebates/vouchers will be added to the CHEAPR program to satisfy the new law.  You can ask CT DEEP for more info here.