Bay Area

Low-income residents can apply for E-bike lottery

Low-income Berkeley residents – such as a family of four making less than $106,000 annually or an individual making less than $74,200 – can apply for a lottery to get an electric bike for long-term use as part of a city-funded program.

Published

2 years ago

February 26, 2023

Oakland Post

Residents 18 years or older can apply and be entered into a lottery for the e-bikes, which will be delivered from April through June.

Eligible individuals and households can apply by March 8 for new program, which will include maintenance, helmet, locks, and training for up to 50 households.

City of Berkeley

The 50 selected households – who can also qualify if they participate in SNAP, PG&E CARE, or Medicaid – would pay a $100 refundable deposit and get an electric bike, helmet, bicycle locks, lights, and training on safe riding.

Those households will also receive free check-ups and maintenance for at least a year from Waterside Workshops, a nonprofit partner with GRID Alternatives and the City of Berkeley as part of the Berkeley E-Bike Equity Project.

Anyone in Berkeley can use electric bikes at a lower cost through shared bike and scooter companies. These tools also allow residents to tie into the city’s bike boulevards, a network of lower-traffic, calmed roads designed to enhance safety and convenience for those on scooters and bikes.

Eligible residents can apply online by March 8 to enter the e-bike lottery.

RESIDENT ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR PROGRAM

Residents 18 years or older can apply and be entered into a lottery for the e-bikes, which will be delivered from April through June.

The program prioritizes applicants who earn less than 80% of the Area Median Income, as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The size of the household affects the income limit.

Households can also qualify by participating in a range of public programs such as:

Find more income eligibility information on the Berkeley E-Bike Equity Project application.

Interested applicants can access computers at any of Berkeley’s public library branches. For application assistance, contact Waterside Workshops at (510) 644-2577, or visit in person at 84 Bolivar Drive Tuesday – Sunday, noon – 6:00 pm.

TURN CAR TRIPS INTO BIKE TRIPS

Electric bikes, or e-bikes, are faster and more convenient than traditional non-electric bikes and are gaining popularity in our bike-friendly Bay Area climate. E-bikes can help:

provide a boost on hills, long commutes, and recreational rides
carry cargo, including young children, over long distances
save money on gas and public transportation when commuting
improve mental and physical health, as a form of exercise or recreation
reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel vehicles, the largest driver of climate change in Berkeley and beyond

Learn more about e-bikes at an upcoming webinar.

CLIMATE EQUITY PILOT SUPPORTS ACCESS TO CLEAN TRANSPORTATION AND BUILDING UPGRADES

The Berkeley E-Bike Equity Project is funded by the City of Berkeley’s Climate Equity Pilot Fund, a pool of money authorized by the City Council to provide benefits to – and elevate the voices of – low income and historically marginalized communities, the people most impacted by climate change.

As part of the E-Bike Equity Project funding, Waterside Workshops is also developing a new e-bike curriculum for its youth bicycle mechanics education program.

The City’s Climate Equity Pilot also funds electrification upgrades in buildings and access to resilience measures for income-qualified residents.

Use the online application (https://airtable.com/shrOwBiN588qJqrn3) to apply by March 8 for a chance to receive an e-bike to start your fun, healthy, and emission-free ride.

LINKS

Berkeley E-Bike Equity Project Online Application
E-Bike Webinars & Events (Ride & Drive Clean)
Electric Bicycle or Scooter Share (City of Berkeley)
Bike Boulevards (City of Berkeley)
Waterside Workshops
GRID Alternatives

Income Guidelines by Region (U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development)

Keep up with City of Berkeley news via our news page, email, or on Twitter @cityofberkeley

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Activism

Oakland Post: Week of November 27 – December 3, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 27 – December 3, 2024, 2024

Published

3 days ago

November 30, 2024

Oakland Post

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

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Activism

OCCUR Hosts “Faith Forward” Conference in Oakland

The conference featured Congresswoman-elect Lateefah Simon, who will begin her term representing California’s 12th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives in January.
Simon was honored with a special recognition from OCCUR for her civic and nonprofit leadership.

Published

1 week ago

November 24, 2024

Oakland Post

President and CEO of OCCUR addresses the audience at OCCUR Faith Forward 2024 Conference at Resurrection Church. Photo by Carla Thomas.

By Carla Thomas

The Oakland Citizens Committee for Urban Renewal (OCCUR) hosted its Faith Forward 2024 Conference on Nov. 8 at Resurrection Church in Oakland.

The conference featured Congresswoman-elect Lateefah Simon, who will begin her term representing California’s 12^th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives in January.

Simon was honored with a special recognition from OCCUR for her civic and nonprofit leadership. During her remarks, She commended nonprofits making a difference, and shared how she looked forward to representing Oakland and surrounding areas.

Simon also encouraged attendees to continue fighting despite their concerns about the presidential election results. She also cautioned that there may be resources that are discontinued as a result.

“We know the assignment. We have many of the resources right within our own community, and we will be ok,” Simon assured the audience.

The conference led by OCCUR president, Dr. David B. Franklin, also featured panels on funding opportunities, case studies, economic development, sustainable housing solutions, and organizing for action.

“In order for organizations serving the community to thrive, everyone must collaborate, share resources, and not operate in silos,” said Franklin.

Speakers included San Francisco Foundation CEO, Fred Blackwell, San Francisco Foundation FAITHS Program Director Dr. Michelle Chambers, and Kingmakers of Oakland Founder, Chris Chatmon. Guests were briefed on how Kingmakers of Oakland has gone from a budget of zero to several million and is set to acquire 200 acres of property to expand their programs serving young boys. The leadership at the San Francisco Foundation encouraged nonprofits, churches, and community leaders to work together, especially when donations and funding numbers are lower.

Ben Bartlett of Berkeley City Council; Trevor Parham, CEO of Oakstop; and CEO of the Lao Family Community Development, Inc., Kathy Chao Rothberg, inspired attendees with stories about their journeys in the nonprofit sector.

Additional speakers included Deka Dike, CEO of Omatachi; Landis Green, CEO of DGS Strategies; Sasha Werblin, Director of Economic Development, LISC Bay Area; Oakland City Councilmember Treva Reid; Faith and Justice Organizer of East Bay Housing Organizations, Ronnie Boyd; and Todd Bendon, Executive Director of Faith in Action East Bay; among others.

The event allowed community leaders, faith-based leaders, and nonprofits to gain Insight on how to strengthen their profits financially, and communally.

OCCUR has served the community for over 70 years supporting the wellbeing of historically marginalized communities with collaborative strategies. For more information visit occurnow.org

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Bay Area

Richmond’s New Fire Chief Sworn In

“Chief Osorio rose up through the ranks in the Richmond Fire Department over the last 21 years before being elevated to chief,” noted Harpreet Sandhu, field representative for Congressmember John Garamendi,. “He joined the department in 2002 and has served in multiple roles including firefighter, engineer, captain, battalion chief, training director and deputy fire chief.”

Published

1 week ago

November 24, 2024

Oakland Post

Chief Osorio (far left) was sworn in at a well-attended ceremony at Richmond City Hall on Nov. 15. All photos by Mike Kinney.

By Mike Kinney
The Richmond Standard

Richmond Fire Chief Aaron Osorio was sworn into his new role in a well-attended ceremony at Richmond City Council Chambers on Friday, Nov. 15.

The crowd included Osorio’s family and friends, rank-and-file Richmond firefighters, fellow fire chiefs from Bay Area agencies, elected officials and community members.

Richmond City Manager Shasa Curl provided an introduction and acknowledged Chief Osorio’s “heroic service to Richmond.”

Harpreet Sandhu, field representative for Congressmember John Garamendi, presented the chief with a Congressional Commendation, citing his 23 years of serving in the fire service in Richmond in numerous positions.

“Chief Osorio rose up through the ranks in the Richmond Fire Department over the last 21 years before being elevated to chief,” Sandhu noted. “He joined the department in 2002 and has served in multiple roles including firefighter, engineer, captain, battalion chief, training director and deputy fire chief.”

The chief’s wife, Maria, and two sons Roman and Mateo helped perform the badge-pinning.

Richmond City Clerk Pamela Christian then conducted the swearing-in ceremony.

Chief Osorio thanked his family, colleagues, and city for their support, calling it “very humbling” to take on leadership of an “amazing organization.”

Once the ceremony was done, the chief stated, “I’m ready to get to work.”