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Adopt A Bike Grant Program

Every year, unclaimed bikes are forgotten on LA Metro’s bus and rail system. These bicycles are transported to Metro’s lost-and-found facilities and held for 90 days, as required by State law. Previously, the remaining unclaimed bicycles were sold at auction. In August 2020, however, the Metro Board of Directors approved the Adopt-A-Bike Program, which now allows Metro to redistribute select unclaimed bikes to disadvantaged residents, with the goal of increasing active transportation options and access to opportunities across the County.

Metro’s Application and Guidelines Now Open! 

Metro is now accepting grant applications for its upcoming Cycle 3.

This competitive mini-grant program will provide funding to five (5) selected organizations to support the administration of the Adopt-A-Bike program. The program provides $35,000 per year for expenses associated with program operations, including storage, bike parts, transportation, and miscellaneous items for bicycle recipients.

Apply Here: https://forms.office.com/g/0nyZfjKN5u

Download the application here.

Download the expense outline here.

Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Monday, August 3rd, 2026.

How it Started

At Metro’s August 2020 Board meeting, the Board directed staff to seek help from community-based organizations and non-profits to administer distribution programs throughout Los Angeles County regions, ensuring those who need them most are provided bicycles. The first phase of the program started as a pilot program. During this phase, disadvantaged communities have successfully served multiple parts of LA County, including East Los Angeles, Long Beach, South Central Los Angeles, Culver City, Willowbrook, San Gabriel Valley, Boyle Heights, and more! 

At the October 2023 Board Meeting, the Board authorized the Adopt-A-Bike program to be permanent. This mini-grant program is a bi-annual program that continues to help communities in need throughout Los Angeles County.

How it Works

Metro offers mini-grant funding opportunities to Community-Based Organizations, Faith-Based Organizations, and Non-Profits. To help distribute these bikes back into the community and provide increased sustainable mobility options to people who cannot afford a personal bicycle, including resource-challenged communities and people experiencing homelessness.  This mini program works bi-annually, with the most recent cycle from November 2023 through October 2025.