Our mission is to bring people together to experience the joy of bicycling through transportation, recreation, and friendship. We collaborate with members, volunteers, and community partners to inspire people to advocate for a safe, equitable, and sustainable Washington state. We build confidence, leadership, knowledge, and community by teaching bicycle skills to all ages.
Introduction and Background:
Cascade Bicycle Club 501(c)3 is in the process of receiving proposals from organizations throughout the state of Washington which seek to support youth in grades 6-12 with programming to increase bike safety and adoption of active transportation.
Our mission is to bring people together to experience the joy of bicycling through transportation, recreation, and friendship. We collaborate with members, volunteers, and community partners to inspire people to advocate for a safe, equitable, and sustainable Washington state. We build confidence, leadership, knowledge, and community by teaching bicycle skills to all ages.
Cascade Bicycle Club seeks committed, flexible, and collaborative partners to deliver youth development programming emphasizing active transportation. The following are all required of the funded programming:
- Serves youth in grades 6-12.
- Utilizes the Teens Biking to Destinations curriculum developed by Cascade Bicycle Club to provide instruction that achieves the learning objectives identified as core content.
- Focuses on using bikes as active transportation incorporating road safety.
- Incorporates the opportunity for youth to receive their own bike, helmet, lock, and light set through completing the program.
- Prioritizes service to any of the populations meeting the equity metrics of the grant. (See the section on Important Terms for more information.)
Important Details About this Opportunity:
- The funding is for a single contract year (to begin no earlier than July 1, 2025 and end no later than June 30, 2026). Organizations will have the opportunity to renew before the end of the contract year. Renegotiation for continued funding is possible for 13 additional years. Funding is dependent on the continued investment of the Move Ahead WA Legislation.
- Only proposals serving youth in grades 6-12 will be considered. This funding does not cover programs for youth outside of that range.
- Proposals will need to emphasize how they will increase youth capacity to navigate their communities safely by bike (see section on Active Transportation). Proposals focused on biking solely for recreation, competition/racing, and fitness do not meet the parameters of this grant.
- Funds will be disbursed as monthly reimbursements based on qualified expenses for this programming. For this reason, it is necessary that grant recipients have the budgetary capacity to pay for their monthly program expenses before being reimbursed.
- Proposals will include a detailed budget that covers the costs of this program. We are expecting proposals in the range of $100K - $245K that aim to serve 20 - 100 students over the course of the year. Depending on an organization’s existing infrastructure, it’s possible that the number of students reached could exceed this range.
- Youth in grades 9-12 are rapidly graduating out of eligibility for this Youth Development Program. They are also taking on responsibilities including community service, internships, employment, and post secondary education. Independent and reliable transportation will significantly improve the likelihood of their success. Because of this we encourage proposals that include/prioritize 9th-12th graders.
Grant Recipients will be Required To:
- Design implementation around the core objectives identified in the Teens Biking to Destinations curriculum.
- Submit monthly reports of their progress in order to receive reimbursement for the expenses of the program.
- Participate in regular meetings with other grant recipients to discuss challenges and successes, build community, and share best practices.
- Engage in evaluation efforts to assess progress towards outcomes.
- Utilize surveys designed by Cascade Bicycle Club to involve youth in the process of feedback and evaluation.
- Host Cascade Bicycle Club staff for a minimum of one site visit during the grant period.
Background and Services Sought:
In March 2022, the Washington State Legislature passed a comprehensive, 16-year transportation package (“Move Ahead Washington”) that includes $216M to be spent on youth bicycle education programs statewide (“State Program”). The Washington State Department of Transportation (“WSDOT”) has selected Cascade Bicycle Club to design and administer the State Program, and distribute funding to school districts and non-profit organizations.
We Are Looking to Fund Organizations Who:
- Desire to bring active transportation and youth development to the underserved youth of their community. The Teens Biking to Destinations curriculum, designed by Cascade Bicycle Club, will be provided to support partners with program content and technical support.
- Have capacity to securely store the equipment needed for this program–namely bicycles. If utilizing a fleet of bikes, maintenance can be done in collaboration with a local bike shop.
- Have consistent access to a meeting space where participants can gather and instruction can be delivered.
- Have connections with schools serving youth in grades 6-12 in the area to facilitate outreach to youth who can participate in this programming.
- Are willing to be part of monthly, 90-minute meetings as a learning community with other grantees to discuss successes, challenges, and strategies for implementation.
- Can bring a variety of experience in the spaces of active transportation and/or youth development. A diversity of organizations and experiences will enrich our learning community.
- Can manage this novel undertaking which is under constant revision and sometimes evolving expectations.
- Are not necessarily subject-matter experts in active transportation and youth development.
- If your organization is built around empowering and resourcing youth, we want to see a proposal from you. This funding is not limited to organizations who already have established programming in its areas of focus.
- Can make an effort to incorporate serving to youth in grades 9-12.
Important Terms:
Active Transportation: The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) hopes to increase adoption of active transportation as a viable means to get the places we need and want to go. In this context, that means using cycling to commute, not just recreate. For this reason, proposals will need to emphasize how they will increase youth capacity to navigate their communities safely by bike. Proposals that only include biking for recreation, competition, and fitness do not meet the parameters of this grant.
Youth Development: Successful proposals will do more than just offer to teach young people to ride. They will demonstrate a desire to support youth through relationship-building, skill development, and prioritizing social-emotional health. Organizations should be guided by the needs and desires of their community and plan to deliver responsive programming. Grantees will receive a curriculum that provides tools and framework for incorporating positive youth development in their community. Professionals in expanded learning settings can have a profound impact on their community. In your Program Proposal we recommend you highlight the growth desired for participating youth.
See the image below for an overview of the 5 C’s of positive youth development.
Based on the work of Dr. Richard M. Lerner and Dr. Jacqueline V. Lerner
Priority Populations:
As mentioned in the introduction and background section, there is a requirement for our partners to serve priority populations based on equity metrics, which have been provided below:
- Population impacted by poverty, as measured by free and reduced lunch population or 200 percent federal poverty level;
- People of color;
- People of Hispanic heritage;
- People with disabilities;
- Areas impacted by environmental health disparities, such as those indicated by the diesel pollution burden portion of the Washington environmental health disparities map developed by the department of health, or other similar indicators;
- Communities located on or adjacent to an Indian reservation;
- Areas with crash experience involving pedestrians and bicyclists;
- Communities with an identified need in the state active transportation plan or a regional, county, or community plan.
Demonstrating that the youth you serve belong to one or more of these criteria can be done in a number of ways. The most recommended route is to include recruitment strategies in your project narrative and highlight how your intended audience falls into any category.
Bikes and Equipment for Participants (BEP):
One distinguishing component of this program is the capacity to equip youth with both cycling skills and equipment. The transition to independent transportation assumes a great deal of responsibility. In addition to providing instruction on safe cycling and embracing active transportation, this program offers youth the opportunity to receive their own bike, helmet, lock, and light set. One approach to program implementation is to have participants use the bike that will become theirs when they complete the program. This would eliminate the need for a separate fleet of bikes (see below). No other items (e.g. multi-tool, saddle bag, mini pump) may be given to youth using the funding from this grant.
Bike Fleet:
Delivering instruction on safe cycling and navigating one’s community will require bikes in good, working condition which can be used reliably by program participants. If the method of program implementation will involve youth using the bikes that they will keep (BEP, described above), a bike fleet is not needed. The choice between using BEP solely or involving a Fleet is one that will need to be carefully considered by each organization. The Youth Development Partnership Manager can help in identifying the pros and cons of each.
Learning Community:
All youth development partners will be expected to participate in a learning community with other grant recipients. This community is built around collegiality and support in the shared work of youth development. Partners will meet once a month to share best practices, troubleshoot situations, stay up-to-date on reporting requirements, and receive opportunities for professional development. This community is built on and strengthened by the active participation of its members.
2025 Request for Proposals - Large School Districts and ESDs
Statewide In-Class Bicycle Education Program
Introduction
Cascade Bicycle Club 501(c)3 is seeking proposals from Large School Districts and Educational Service Districts (ESDs) in Washington state who wish to receive grant funding to administer the Statewide In-Class Bicycle Education Program (“Let’s Go”) which serves elementary and middle school students in grades 3-8.
About Cascade Bicycle Club
Cascade Bicycle Club is the nation’s largest statewide bicycle nonprofit organization. Our mission is to bring people together to experience the joy of bicycling through transportation, recreation, and friendship. We collaborate with members, volunteers, and community partners to inspire people to advocate for a safe, equitable, and sustainable Washington state. We build confidence, leadership, knowledge, and community by teaching bicycle skills to all ages. For more information about the Cascade Bicycle Club, please visit our website at cascade.org.
Background
In 2022, the Washington State Legislature passed a comprehensive, 16-year active transportation package (“Move Ahead Washington”) that includes funding for school-based bicycle safety education programs statewide.
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) selected Cascade Bicycle Club to develop and administer the new statewide School-Based Bicycle Education Program and distribute grant funding to eligible school districts and non-profit organizations. In this effort, Cascade partners with local bike advocates, educators, and community partners across the state to fund and support the implementation of two statewide programmatic initiatives:
- In-Class Program serving elementary and middle school youth that takes place during Physical Education classes on a rotating school basis. Program funding includes equipment, teacher training, curriculum, ongoing maintenance, and administrative support.
- Out-of-school Youth Development Program serving middle and high school youth in grades 6-12 inspired by Cascade’s “Major Taylor Project.” Content focuses on cycling safety, basic maintenance and repair, and experiencing active transportation.
Together, these two programs will expand over the next 14 years and are expected to reach hundreds of thousands of Washington state students by 2039. Eligible student participants who successfully complete the curriculum from both programs will have an opportunity to earn a bike, helmet, light, and lock. These programs are the first and largest statewide youth bicycling education initiatives of their kind in the nation.
In-Class Program Goals
Through a collaborative and supportive partnership with the Cascade Bicycle Club, Large School Districts and Educational Service Districts will receive grant funding to administer the Statewide In-Class Bicycle Education Program in their elementary and middle schools to serve students in grades 3-8. This multi-week curriculum aims to teach students the fundamentals of bicycle and pedestrian safety, build confidence, inspire the joy of riding, and encourage biking, walking, and rolling to school, extracurricular activities, and other community events.
In addition to the physical fundamentals of helmet safety, balancing, steering, pedaling, and stopping, this program teaches students the rules of safe and courteous riding and the skills to cross streets at intersections. By teaching elementary youth the joys and health benefits of safe biking, we are teaching youth to make active transportation a lifelong passion that helps advance our state's climate, public health, and equity goals.
In-Class Target Audience
Cascade Bicycle Club seeks committed, equity-focused, and collaborative Large School Districts and Educational Service Districts within Washington to administer the In-Class Bicycle Education and Pedestrian Safety Program.
A Large School District is defined as a public school district that serves more than 6,000 students enrolled in grades 3-8.
An Educational Service District is one of the 9 ESDs throughout Washington. For this grant, ESDs will serve medium and small school districts, which are defined as public school districts that serve fewer than 6,000 students enrolled in grades 3-8.
In-Class Program Scope of Work
The following are all required of the participating Large School Districts and ESDs:
- Adopt and implement a multi-week Physical Education curriculum unit focused on youth bicycle education and pedestrian safety provided by Cascade Bicycle Club;
- Identify and recruit 5-10 elementary schools per trailer and associated PE teachers that will implement the program in the 2025-2026 school year;
- Participate in a “train-the-trainer” model wherein Cascade Bicycle Club provides professional development training to 1-3 identified program leads within each large school district/ESD, who will then train all of the new participating PE teachers;
- Manage transportation and maintenance of program assets, including 16-foot trailer, bicycle fleet, and curriculum materials. Maintenance can be done in collaboration with a local bike shop and/or internally within the large school district or ESD;
- Support and participate in the opportunity for eligible youth to earn a bike, helmet, light, and lock. School eligibility based on equity metrics outlined in the RCW;
- Submit quarterly reports of progress to Cascade in order to receive reimbursement for the expenses of the program;
- Identify and/or hire staff to manage the program, including participating in recurring meetings (1-3 hours/month) with Cascade Bicycle Club staff, communicating with teachers, and ensuring program success.
- Engage in Cascade’s Evaluation Plan to assess progress towards outcomes, including teacher post-program surveys, focus groups, student exit tickets, and professional development surveys.
- Host Cascade Bicycle Club staff for a minimum of one site visit during the grant period;
- Consult with Cascade Bicycle Club Communications staff before releasing any public communications that pertain to the grant or program.
Additional Details
- The funding is for a single calendar year (July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026). Large School Districts and Educational Service Districts will have the opportunity to renew and expand the program each year.
- Funding is contingent upon the continued investment of the Move Ahead WA Legislation and biennial state budget allocations;
- At this point, we are prioritizing proposals that serve youth in grades 3-5 with the Elementary School Let's Go program. There are limited opportunities to pilot the Middle School program for youth in grades 6-8. You may indicate interest in Middle School programming in the grant application.
- Funds will be disbursed as quarterly reimbursements based on qualified expenses for this programming. For this reason, it is necessary that grant recipients have the budgetary capacity to pay for their quarterly program expenses before being reimbursed.
Proposal Requirements
- General information - Organization name, email, address, telephone number, and primary contact name and title.
- Project Interest (for new partners) or Project Reflection (for returning partners) - Short answer questions.
- Success Readiness (for new partners) - Describe why district/ESD is ready to implement at this time.
- Project Reflection (for returning partners) - Reflect on the successes, challenges, lessons learned, and plans for next year.
- School Connections - Identify the number of trailers, schools, and students you aim to serve in 2025-2026.
- Personnel & Administrative Model - Describe the personnel model that works best for the district/ESD. Examples are provided.
- Budget Proposal - Complete the budget template that includes the following categories: Personnel, Maintenance (Labor) & Storage, Supplies & Temporary Services, Travel, Food for Trainings and Meetings, Indirect rate.
- Equity Mission Alignment - Outline how your program implementation model will ensure equitable opportunities for youth and communities.
Application Questions PDFs
Scoring Rubric
See this link for the scoring rubric.
Proposal Timeline
- Applications open: March 5, 2025
- Application deadline: April 18, 2025
- Award Decision and Notification: mid-May
- Contracts drafted: Late-May 2025
- New Partner Kickoff Meeting: June 2025
- *RFP support sessions available upon request
Review Committee
Tina Castillo, In-Class Program Officer
Dylan Gschwind, K-8 Partnership Manager
Stephen Rowley, Education Director
Zavi Veliz, Director of Finance and Operations
Lee Lambert, Executive Director
Application Questions
Tina Castillo (she/her)
Statewide In-Class Program Officer
tinac@cascadebicycleclub.org
(206) 558-2789
Introduction and Background:
Cascade Bicycle Club 501(c)3 is in the process of receiving proposals from organizations throughout the state of Washington which seek to support youth in grades 6-12 with programming to increase bike safety and adoption of active transportation.
Our mission is to bring people together to experience the joy of bicycling through transportation, recreation, and friendship. We collaborate with members, volunteers, and community partners to inspire people to advocate for a safe, equitable, and sustainable Washington state. We build confidence, leadership, knowledge, and community by teaching bicycle skills to all ages.
Cascade Bicycle Club seeks committed, flexible, and collaborative partners to deliver youth development programming emphasizing active transportation. The following are all required of the funded programming:
- Serves youth in grades 6-12.
- Utilizes the Teens Biking to Destinations curriculum developed by Cascade Bicycle Club to provide instruction that achieves the learning objectives identified as core content.
- Focuses on using bikes as active transportation incorporating road safety.
- Incorporates the opportunity for youth to receive their own bike, helmet, lock, and light set through completing the program.
- Prioritizes service to any of the populations meeting the equity metrics of the grant. (See the section on Important Terms for more information.)
Important Details About this Opportunity:
- The funding is for a single contract year (to begin no earlier than July 1, 2025 and end no later than June 30, 2026). Organizations will have the opportunity to renew before the end of the contract year. Renegotiation for continued funding is possible for 13 additional years. Funding is dependent on the continued investment of the Move Ahead WA Legislation.
- Only proposals serving youth in grades 6-12 will be considered. This funding does not cover programs for youth outside of that range.
- Proposals will need to emphasize how they will increase youth capacity to navigate their communities safely by bike (see section on Active Transportation). Proposals focused on biking solely for recreation, competition/racing, and fitness do not meet the parameters of this grant.
- Funds will be disbursed as monthly reimbursements based on qualified expenses for this programming. For this reason, it is necessary that grant recipients have the budgetary capacity to pay for their monthly program expenses before being reimbursed.
- Proposals will include a detailed budget that covers the costs of this program. We are expecting proposals in the range of $100K - $245K that aim to serve 20 - 100 students over the course of the year. Depending on an organization’s existing infrastructure, it’s possible that the number of students reached could exceed this range.
- Youth in grades 9-12 are rapidly graduating out of eligibility for this Youth Development Program. They are also taking on responsibilities including community service, internships, employment, and post secondary education. Independent and reliable transportation will significantly improve the likelihood of their success. Because of this we encourage proposals that include/prioritize 9th-12th graders.
Grant Recipients will be Required To:
- Design implementation around the core objectives identified in the Teens Biking to Destinations curriculum.
- Submit monthly reports of their progress in order to receive reimbursement for the expenses of the program.
- Participate in regular meetings with other grant recipients to discuss challenges and successes, build community, and share best practices.
- Engage in evaluation efforts to assess progress towards outcomes.
- Utilize surveys designed by Cascade Bicycle Club to involve youth in the process of feedback and evaluation.
- Host Cascade Bicycle Club staff for a minimum of one site visit during the grant period.
Background and Services Sought:
In March 2022, the Washington State Legislature passed a comprehensive, 16-year transportation package (“Move Ahead Washington”) that includes $216M to be spent on youth bicycle education programs statewide (“State Program”). The Washington State Department of Transportation (“WSDOT”) has selected Cascade Bicycle Club to design and administer the State Program, and distribute funding to school districts and non-profit organizations.
We Are Looking to Fund Organizations Who:
- Desire to bring active transportation and youth development to the underserved youth of their community. The Teens Biking to Destinations curriculum, designed by Cascade Bicycle Club, will be provided to support partners with program content and technical support.
- Have capacity to securely store the equipment needed for this program–namely bicycles. If utilizing a fleet of bikes, maintenance can be done in collaboration with a local bike shop.
- Have consistent access to a meeting space where participants can gather and instruction can be delivered.
- Have connections with schools serving youth in grades 6-12 in the area to facilitate outreach to youth who can participate in this programming.
- Are willing to be part of monthly, 90-minute meetings as a learning community with other grantees to discuss successes, challenges, and strategies for implementation.
- Can bring a variety of experience in the spaces of active transportation and/or youth development. A diversity of organizations and experiences will enrich our learning community.
- Can manage this novel undertaking which is under constant revision and sometimes evolving expectations.
- Are not necessarily subject-matter experts in active transportation and youth development.
- If your organization is built around empowering and resourcing youth, we want to see a proposal from you. This funding is not limited to organizations who already have established programming in its areas of focus.
- Can make an effort to incorporate serving to youth in grades 9-12.
Important Terms:
Active Transportation: The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) hopes to increase adoption of active transportation as a viable means to get the places we need and want to go. In this context, that means using cycling to commute, not just recreate. For this reason, proposals will need to emphasize how they will increase youth capacity to navigate their communities safely by bike. Proposals that only include biking for recreation, competition, and fitness do not meet the parameters of this grant.
Youth Development: Successful proposals will do more than just offer to teach young people to ride. They will demonstrate a desire to support youth through relationship-building, skill development, and prioritizing social-emotional health. Organizations should be guided by the needs and desires of their community and plan to deliver responsive programming. Grantees will receive a curriculum that provides tools and framework for incorporating positive youth development in their community. Professionals in expanded learning settings can have a profound impact on their community. In your Program Proposal we recommend you highlight the growth desired for participating youth.
See the image below for an overview of the 5 C’s of positive youth development.
Based on the work of Dr. Richard M. Lerner and Dr. Jacqueline V. Lerner
Priority Populations:
As mentioned in the introduction and background section, there is a requirement for our partners to serve priority populations based on equity metrics, which have been provided below:
- Population impacted by poverty, as measured by free and reduced lunch population or 200 percent federal poverty level;
- People of color;
- People of Hispanic heritage;
- People with disabilities;
- Areas impacted by environmental health disparities, such as those indicated by the diesel pollution burden portion of the Washington environmental health disparities map developed by the department of health, or other similar indicators;
- Communities located on or adjacent to an Indian reservation;
- Areas with crash experience involving pedestrians and bicyclists;
- Communities with an identified need in the state active transportation plan or a regional, county, or community plan.
Demonstrating that the youth you serve belong to one or more of these criteria can be done in a number of ways. The most recommended route is to include recruitment strategies in your project narrative and highlight how your intended audience falls into any category.
Bikes and Equipment for Participants (BEP):
One distinguishing component of this program is the capacity to equip youth with both cycling skills and equipment. The transition to independent transportation assumes a great deal of responsibility. In addition to providing instruction on safe cycling and embracing active transportation, this program offers youth the opportunity to receive their own bike, helmet, lock, and light set. One approach to program implementation is to have participants use the bike that will become theirs when they complete the program. This would eliminate the need for a separate fleet of bikes (see below). No other items (e.g. multi-tool, saddle bag, mini pump) may be given to youth using the funding from this grant.
Bike Fleet:
Delivering instruction on safe cycling and navigating one’s community will require bikes in good, working condition which can be used reliably by program participants. If the method of program implementation will involve youth using the bikes that they will keep (BEP, described above), a bike fleet is not needed. The choice between using BEP solely or involving a Fleet is one that will need to be carefully considered by each organization. The Youth Development Partnership Manager can help in identifying the pros and cons of each.
Learning Community:
All youth development partners will be expected to participate in a learning community with other grant recipients. This community is built around collegiality and support in the shared work of youth development. Partners will meet once a month to share best practices, troubleshoot situations, stay up-to-date on reporting requirements, and receive opportunities for professional development. This community is built on and strengthened by the active participation of its members.