School Bike Parking Grant

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The School Bike Parking Grant program supports schools in constructing secure and reliable bike parking facilities.

The City of Edmonton is launching the School Bike Parking Grant to increase active transportation to schools by improving secure bike parking.

The grant supports the Bike Plan by removing barriers to cycling and increasing active transportation to schools by expanding and improving secure bike parking. It also supports The City Plan’s goal of 50% of trips completed by active and sustainable transportation.

Grant Funding Allocation

This program offers one-time funding.
Funding requests must be between $500 - $15,000.
The requested amount should be proportionate to the type of proposed activities and timelines. Quotes are necessary for projects over $10,000.
Construction must be completed by August 31 of the following calendar year after entering a funding agreement with the City.

Grant Timelines

April 30
Application deadline.

May 1-30
Application review.

June 3
Applicants notified of funding decisions.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the Grant:

The school must be within Edmonton city limits.
Applicants currently receiving other City grants or funding must be in good standing with the City in terms of reporting requirements.
Applicants must not already be receiving City funding for a bike parking project.
A School District or the school’s parent fundraising association may apply on behalf of a school, but it must include school participation and have a project lead within the school as well. The application must include a letter of support from the Division.

Download Information Guide

Eligible/Ineligible Expenses

Eligible Expenses

Eligible expenses must contribute to increasing the security of bike parking. Examples of eligible expenses may include, but are not limited to:

Installation of Bike Cages or Indoor Bike Parking: Funds can be used to cover the costs associated with the purchase and installation of secure bike cages or enclosed bike storage facilities to enhance the safety and security of bicycles on school premises.
Security Enhancements: Investing in additional security measures such as lighting or surveillance cameras to deter theft and enhance the safety of the bike parking area.
Bike Locks: U Locks for the creation of a bike lock share program.
Event to promote bike lockup: Funds can be used to create an event to promote the new bike parking and cycling education to encourage active travel.
Relocation of Existing Bike Racks: Funds may be used to relocate existing bike racks to a more accessible, visible, high traffic or more secure location on school grounds to deter theft.
Purchase of High-Quality Bike Racks: Funds may be used to invest in durable and efficient bike racks that provide proper support for bicycles, encouraging more students to use them and ensuring a well-organized and space-efficient parking solution. This may include an expansion of the current bike racks to accommodate more bicycles.
Labour costs directly related to installation of a project, such as contractor fees.
Small pathways that add access to the new bike parking.
Any permits required for the installation of bike parking infrastructure.

Ineligible Expenses

Ineligible expenses include, but are not limited to:

Project expenses that are incurred before the application has been conditionally approved
Any infrastructure not directly related to promoting bicycle use
Non-bike-related equipment, such as sports equipment, classroom supplies, or unrelated facility upgrades
Day-to-day maintenance costs of the bike parking facilities, such as regular cleaning or minor repair
Some aesthetic improvements may be acceptable but funds should not be disproportionately spent on purely cosmetic enhancements that do not significantly contribute to the functionality or security of the bike parking facilities
Time and labour provided towards preparation of funding applications, fundraising, including costs for fundraising campaigns, and websites for fundraising purposes
Endowments, charitable donations, bursaries, developing business cases or proposals for funding, donor recognition and gifts (with the exception of gifts for Indigenous protocols)
Debt reduction, financing charges and/or interest payments on loans
Direct government lobbying or partisan political activities (for example: activities related to advocacy must demonstrate non-partisan approaches)
Non-project related salaries or other non-project-related personnel costs
Bike parking that is only for staff use

Apply for Grant

Application deadline is Tuesday April 30, 2024 at 11:59pm.

Once the application period has closed, applications will be reviewed based on the given criteria.

Submit Application

Note: Efforts will be made to award the amounts requested, however the amount requested is not guaranteed and a lesser amount may be awarded.

Grant Assessment Criteria

Applications will be assessed based on the following criteria.

Please note: other costs may be deemed ineligible at the discretion of the evaluation committee. Applications that do not meet the criteria will be rejected and all decisions made by the City are final.

Proximity of School Population to the School

Priority will be given to schools who demonstrate that students live within cycling distance of the school (within 5 km radius of the school site). The applicant will not need access to this information, the City can work with school Divisions to confirm this information for applicant schools.

Connectivity with Edmonton’s Active Pathways

Priority will be given to schools who are connected to Edmonton’s active transportation network so that it is viable and safe for students to cycle to school. This increases the likelihood that secure bike parking will be used.

Communication and Encouragement Plans

Priority will be given to a school which has general plans of how cycling will be encouraged to students and how the new bike parking will be communicated to students and parents.

There is a Plan for the Installation of Bike Parking Infrastructure

This portion of work may be done after the grant request is successful, however priority will be given to schools who have a complete plan. This is only required if your project includes installation of new infrastructure.

Demonstration of Need

Priority will be given to schools who face significant barriers to improving their bike parking without the support of the grant and can describe the need for new and/or improved bike parking solutions to make it possible for students to bike to school.

There is a Desire from Staff and Families to Cycle to School

The Community’s Equity Score

This has been calculated based on factors including:

Community crime rate
Education levels
Income
Physical infrastructure
Population health

Priority will be given where safe transportation options have traditionally been lacking and affordable transportation is particularly important.

Reporting Requirements

Successful applicants will be responsible for reporting on the progress of their work, including:

A financial report detailing grant expenditures and receipts
Report on the timelines of your projects
Before and after photos showcasing the changes made through the grant
Quantitative metrics that detail the number of students using bikes before and after the implementation of the project

Projects must be completed by August 31, 2025.

Contact Us

Email	bikesandscooters@edmonton.ca