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.
Table of Contents
📅 Important Dates
📚 About The Statewide School-Based Bike Education Grant Program
💰 Grant At-A-Glance
✓ Eligible Applicants
📋 Important Program Requirements
📄 Proposal Requirements
📊 Scoring Rubric
⏱️ Selection Process & Timeline
✨ What Makes A Competitive Proposal?
❓ Questions & Technical Assistance
🚀 How To Apply
════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
📅 Important Dates
Request for Proposal Opens: February 17, 2026
Submission Deadline: March 31, 2026, by 11:59 PM PDT ⏰
Proposal Support Sessions:
- Session #1: February 23, 2026, at 1:30 PM PST - Topic: Implementation Register here
- Session #2: March 3, 2026, at 1:00 PM PST - Topic: Budget, Procurement, and Equipment Register here
Key Milestones:
Last Day to Request Technical Assistance: March 27, 2026
Last Day to Submit Proposals: March 31, 2026
Notification of Decision Sent: April 24, 2026
Adjustment Appointments: April 27 - May 8, 2026
Contract Signing Period: May 4 - June 30, 2026
Program Year Begins: July 1, 2026
Individual support is available by appointment through March 27th.
════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
📚 About The Statewide School-Based Bike Education Grant Program
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. 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 community partners.
About Cascade Bicycle Club
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.
The Funding Supports Two Efforts:
✓ One delivered in PE classes for grades 3-8 (In-Class Program)
✓ One delivered outside of school for youth in grades 6-12 (Youth Development Program - THIS RFP)
════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
💰 Grant At-A-Glance
Award Range: $75,000 to $250,000 per year
- Awards depend on the number of youth served and organizational infrastructure
- Average cost per student is approximately $2,600 (does not include equipment costs)
- We typically receive 8-12 applications and award 3-5 new partners per grant cycle
Contract Period: July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027 (FY 26-27)
- Renewable annually through 2039, available based on successful program delivery
- Funding is dependent on continued investment from the Move Ahead WA legislation
Program Focus:
This program empowers youth in grades 6-12 through:
- Transportation independence and practical bike skills, community connection, and confidence building
- Equipping youth with their own bike, helmet, lock, and light upon program completion
Getting Caught Up
If you didn’t hear about this opportunity until as late as February 27, you likely need some catching up. Below are links to the recorded information session and the slides. You can use this information to fill in any gaps about grant and program requirements.
Unfortunately, if you’re discovering this grant after February 27, I recommend applying in the 2027 Request for Proposal. It’s never too early to start having those conversations.
════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
✓ Eligible Applicants
We seek committed, flexible, and collaborative partners to deliver youth development
programming emphasizing active transportation.
Eligible Organizations:
- Registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations
- Local governments and agencies
- Schools and school districts
- Tribal organizations
- For-profit entities (in special circumstances)
Overburdened Communities:
All funded programs MUST serve youth meeting at least one of these priority criteria:
- Population impacted by poverty (free/reduced lunch or 200% federal poverty level)
- People with disabilities
- Areas impacted by environmental health disparities (e.g., diesel pollution burden on the WA environmental health disparities map)
- Communities located on or adjacent to an Indian reservation
- Areas with crash experience involving pedestrians and bicyclists
- Communities with identified needs in state, regional, county, or community active transportation plans
Organizational Capacity:
We are looking for organizations that:
✓ Desire to bring active transportation and youth development to underserved youth
✓ Have capacity to securely store equipment (bikes, helmets, supplies)
✓ Have consistent access to meeting space for instruction and activities
✓ Have connections with schools serving grades 6-12 to facilitate youth outreach
✓ Are willing to participate in regular learning community meetings with other grantees
✓ Can manage ongoing revision and evolving expectations
✓ Demonstrate strong grant uptake and have previously provided bike or youth programs
💡Remember! Your organization is NOT required to be subject-matter experts in active transportation—if your organization empowers and resources youth, we want to see your proposal.
Special Consideration:
We encourage proposals that include/prioritize youth in grades 9-12, as they are
rapidly aging out of eligibility and taking on responsibilities (community service,
internships, employment, post-secondary education) where independent transportation
significantly improves success.
════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
📋 Important Program Requirements
All Funded Programs Must:
- Serve youth in grades 6-12 only (no exceptions)
- Adhere to the "Teens Biking to Destinations" curriculum provided by Cascade Bicycle Club’s Youth Development Team
- Focus on using bikes as active transportation, incorporating road safety
- Provide a minimum of 20 instructional hours per cohort, and no more than 32
- Offer the opportunity for youth to receive their own bike, helmet, lock, and light set upon program completion
- Prioritize service to populations meeting priority metrics (see above)
- Emphasize how programming will increase youth capacity to navigate their communities safely by bike
⚠️ Programs focused solely on recreation, competition/racing, or fitness do not meet grant parameters.
Important Terms To Understand:
🚴 ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION
Using cycling to commute and navigate communities, not just recreate. Programs are required to be located in areas where youth already live or go to school. And so proposals must emphasize how they will increase youth capacity to navigate their communities safely by bike. This includes understanding traffic rules, bike infrastructure, planning routes, and using bikes as reliable transportation.
🌟 YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
Successful proposals do more than teach riding skills. They demonstrate a desire to
support youth through relationship-building, skill development, and prioritizing
social-emotional health. Programming should be guided by community needs and deliver
responsive programming incorporating the 5 C's of Positive Youth Development:
Connection, Confidence, Character, Competence, Caring, and Contribution.
👥 COHORT-BASED DELIVERY
Youth participate in a group (cohort) with multiple cohorts running throughout the
year. Each cohort receives a minimum of 20 hours of instruction (and a maximum of 32). Youth can only participate in one cohort.
🚲 BIKES AND EQUIPMENT FOR PARTICIPANTS (BEP)
Upon successful completion, each youth receives their own bike, helmet, lock, and
light set to keep. Organizations define their own "successful completion" criteria.
Youth who received bikes through the Statewide In-Class grant are ineligible.
🚲🚲 BIKE FLEET
Some organizations use a fleet of bikes for instruction, then provide participant
bikes at completion. Others have youth use their final bikes throughout the program.
The Youth Development Partnership Manager can help you determine the best approach.
🫱🏾🫲🏻 COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE
All youth development partners participate in a periodic learning community with other
grant recipients. This community is built around collegiality and support in shared
youth development work. Partners meet periodically to share best practices,
troubleshoot situations, stay up-to-date on reporting requirements, and receive
professional development opportunities.
════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
📄 Proposal Requirements
After passing an eligibility screening, you will work through 4 main components of the proposal. Descriptions of each component are shared below. Where applicable, the tools you will use to help you work through each component are included. Please read through these sections carefully.
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1. Alignment
Profile
This component includes three sections. Section one is a simple profile where we ask for key contact and organization information, in addition to your mission, and a summary description of your existing programs.
Yes/No Questions
Section 2 is a list of yes or no questions. In the 26-27 contract period, we are looking for organizations that have strong grant uptake and previous bike education or youth-facing programs. Your answers will give us a high-level awareness of your alignment with our goals. Answer honestly. If you are worried about any of your answers, there are other areas in the application where you can highlight your strengths.
Prompts
Section 3 contains several prompts where we’ll ask you to share 1-2 paragraphs addressing key topics. Cascade Bicycle Club is a values-based, mission-driven organization. Your responses give us more insight into the qualities that we look for in a partnership. The prompts will ask you to share about the following topics: youth development foundation, success readiness, priority population, and community-centered practice.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
2. Implementation
In this component, we have provided a set of tools designed to apply your knowledge of the grant’s program requirements. Follow the instructions to fill out each tool. When completed, you will have the information you need to copy that information into the appropriate table within Submittable. There will be some short-form questions to address any areas that aren’t explicitly covered in the tools below.
Program Narrative
All grantees will receive a curriculum that covers bicycle safety, group riding, youth development fundamentals, and basic bicycle repair and maintenance. We want to understand how your program will take the content provided and deliver something unique, impactful, and aligned with your organization.
- Please describe the general overview of your proposed program and what makes it special.
- Provide a description of your staffing plan (and volunteer recruitment and involvement).
- Identify the locations where you will ride with youth through this program and what cycling infrastructure is present or lacking in those locations.
- Describe the ways you expect youth to grow as a result of this program.
School Outreach
Partnership with schools plays a key role in program success. Which schools will you work with? Use the spreadsheet linked below to identify the correct schools.
📎 Required: List of Schools and Districts (List of WA Schools and Districts)
Implementation Plan
We know it takes a lot of work to provide afterschool bike education. How many cohorts will you serve? What is your general timeline? Who is on your team? Use the spreadsheet below to create a structure for your program. Be sure read and follow the instructions closely.
📎 Required: Youth Development Implementation Plan
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
3. BUDGET PROPOSAL
(REQUIRED BUT NOT SCORED)
Using the template provided, project costs for implementing programming over the 26-27 contract period. The starting point in framing the budget is estimating the number of youth being served, the number of sites where you will offer the program, and the program delivery schedule. The following category expenses will be part of a complete budget proposal:
2026 Youth Development Budget Proposal Template
Personnel - Identify the personnel and their FTE allocation needed to implement programming. This includes benefits (i.e., health insurance, retirement contributions) paid by the employer. Please indicate their responsibilities related to this program. This includes the personnel responsible for reporting to Cascade and preparing the financial reports regarding program expenditures.
Maintenance (Labor Cost) & Storage - If your plan involves a bike fleet and you need to outsource the maintenance costs, that goes in this category. Additionally, if you will need to acquire a storage space to store equipment, that cost goes in this category.
Bike Fleet* - This cost is specifically for the purchase of bikes that will be kept by the partner organization. Not all organizations will opt to utilize a fleet.
Bikes and Equipment for Participants (BEP) - The bikes, helmets, locks, and light sets that will be provided to youth who complete the program and meet the organization's criteria.
Travel - For travel to sites, picking up supplies, attending training in Seattle and other locations in Washington, and other travel related to the program. (Funding cannot cover the purchase of vehicles, but can be used to purchase trailers. Trailer purchase would be categorized as “other supplies.”)
Supplies - Any supplies beyond bikes and BEP will be included in this expense category. This includes tools, repair stands, cones, etc.
Indirect - Automatically calculated as a percentage of your other expenses, the indirect costs contribute towards rent, utilities, and the other costs of doing business. This category is automatically calculated at 16% of your other project management expenses.
*If your organization does not have an established relationship for procuring bikes, please consult with the Cascade team to discuss how Cascade can assist your procurement efforts.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
4. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(REQUIRED BUT NOT SCORED)
This information verifies your capacity to manage the unique financial constraints of
monthly reimbursement.
Required documents:
1. Most recent year-end Statement of Activities (Income Statement) and Statement of
Financial Position (Balance Sheet)
2. Most recent quarter-end Budget to Actuals (or Statement of Activities) and
Statement of Financial Position (Balance Sheet)
3. Projection for next year's Budget
We review these to understand your organization's financial capacity, not to score your proposal.
════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
📊 Scoring Rubric
Please download the table below to see the basis for scoring. The Budget Proposal and Financial Statements are required in order for your submission to be considered for review, but will not be scored.
════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
⏱️ Selection Process & Timeline
Proposal Review (April 1-23, 2026):
- The Youth Development team scores all proposals using a rubric
- Budget proposals and financial statements reviewed for capacity (not scored)
- Internal team meetings to discuss applications
Acceptance Notifications (April 24, 2026):
- Successful applicants receive acceptance letters
- Unsuccessful applicants receive notification, including feedback
Adjustment Appointments (April 27 - May 8, 2026):
- The Cascade team meets with successful applicants to make revisions to the budget and scope
- Opportunity to refine proposals based on organizational capacity
- Negotiate final terms before contracting
Contract Execution (May 4 - June 30, 2026):
- Partnership agreements signed
- Certificate of Insurance (COI) collected
- Onboarding materials provided
- Partner kick-off meetings scheduled
Program Launch (July 1, 2026):
- FY 26-27 program year begins
- Organizations begin delivering programming
Typical Award Rates:
- We receive 8-12 applications per cycle
- We award 3-5 new partners annually
- Competitive but not impossible odds
- We actively seek organizations serving tribal communities, rural areas, and youth experiencing poverty
════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
✨ What Makes A Competitive Proposal?
Successful Proposals:
✓ Focus on addressing the community's unique needs through youth development and active
transportation
✓ Demonstrate deep understanding of and connection to the community served
✓ Show organizational capacity to manage complex, evolving programs
✓ Present clear, realistic implementation plans
✓ Highlight adaptability and systems for navigating change
✓ Provide evidence of youth development experience (not necessarily bike-specific)
✓ Include thoughtful recruitment strategies for priority populations
Less Competitive Proposals:
✗ Focus solely on recreational biking or fitness
✗ Lack of connection to or understanding of local community needs
✗ Don't address how the program serves priority populations
✗ Present generic programs not tailored to the community
✗ Show limited organizational capacity for monthly reporting and reimbursement
✗ Don't demonstrate a youth development approach beyond teaching bike skills
💡 Remember:
- You don't need to be bike education experts
- You DO need to be youth development experts who understand your community
- We provide curriculum, training, and ongoing support
- We're looking for committed partners who can grow with us over multiple years
════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
❓ Questions & Technical Assistance
We encourage you to reach out with questions throughout the proposal process!
Youth Development Team:
Jacquelyn "Jax" Billups
Youth Development Program Officer
📧 jacquelynb@cascade.org
Rachel Longest
Youth Development Partnership Manager
📧 rachel.longest@cascade.org
Schedule A Meeting:
Sometimes questions are easier to talk through than write out in an email. Schedule
⏰ Last Day To Request Technical Assistance: March 27, 2026
We are here to support you through every step of the proposal process. Don't hesitate
to reach out!
════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
🚀 How To Apply
All proposals must be submitted through Submittable.
Before you begin, we recommend:
✓ Downloading a copy of the tools and carefully reading through the instructions
✓ Attending Support Sessions (February 23 and March 3)
✓ Scheduling individual meetings with our team as needed
⏰ SUBMISSION DEADLINE: March 31, 2026, by 11:59 PM PDT
We look forward to receiving your proposal and potentially partnering with you to empower youth in your community through bikes and youth development!
Questions? Don't hesitate to reach out to Jax or Rachel.
════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
Funding Acknowledgment
The Statewide School-Based Bike Education Grant Program is supported by the Washington
State Department of Transportation, with funding from Washington's Climate Commitment
Act. The CCA supports Washington's climate action efforts by putting a cap-and-invest
dollars to work on reducing climate pollution, creating jobs, and improving public
Health. Information about the CCA is available at www.climate.wa.gov
Table of Contents
📅 Important Dates
📚 About The Statewide School-Based Bike Education Grant Program
📋 Important Program Requirements
📄 Renewal Requirements
📊 Scoring Rubric
❓ Questions & Technical Assistance
🚀 How To Apply
════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
📅 Important Dates
Request for Proposal Opens: February 18, 2026
Submission Deadline: March 18, 2026, by 11:59 PM PDT ⏰
Key Milestones:
Last Day to Request Support: March 13, 2026
Last Day to Submit Proposals: March 18, 2026
Proposal & Budget Review Meetings: March 19 to April 09, 2026.
Award Notification: April 24, 2026
Contract Signing Period: May 4 - June 30, 2026
Program Year Begins: July 1, 2026
Individual support is available by appointment through March 27th.
════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
📚 About The Statewide School-Based Bike Education Grant Program
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. 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 community partners.
About Cascade Bicycle Club
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.
The Funding Supports Two Efforts:
✓ One delivered in PE classes for grades 3-8 (In-Class Program)
✓ One delivered outside of school for youth in grades 6-12
(Youth Development Program - THIS RFP)
════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
📋 Important Program Requirements
All Funded Programs Must:
- Serve youth in grades 6-12 only (no exceptions)
- Adhere to the "Teens Biking to Destinations" curriculum provided by Cascade Bicycle Club’s Youth Development Team
- Focus on using bikes as active transportation, incorporating road safety
- Provide a minimum of 20 instructional hours per cohort, and no more than 32
- Offer the opportunity for youth to receive their own bike, helmet, lock, and light set upon program completion
- Prioritize service to populations meeting priority metrics (see above)
- Emphasize how programming will increase youth capacity to navigate their communities safely by bike
⚠️ Programs focused solely on recreation, competition/racing, or fitness do not meet grant parameters.
Important Terms To Understand:
🚴 ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION
Using cycling to commute and navigate communities, not just recreate. Programs are required to be located in areas where youth already live or go to school. And so proposals must emphasize how they will increase youth capacity to navigate their communities safely by bike. This includes understanding traffic rules, bike infrastructure, planning routes, and using bikes as reliable transportation.
🌟 YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
Successful proposals do more than teach riding skills. They demonstrate a desire to
support youth through relationship-building, skill development, and prioritizing
social-emotional health. Programming should be guided by community needs and deliver
responsive programming incorporating the 5 C's of Positive Youth Development:
Connection, Confidence, Character, Competence, Caring, and Contribution.
👥 COHORT-BASED DELIVERY
Youth participate in a group (cohort) with multiple cohorts running throughout the
year. Each cohort receives a minimum of 20 hours of instruction (and a maximum of 32). Youth can only participate in one cohort.
🚲 BIKES AND EQUIPMENT FOR PARTICIPANTS (BEP)
Upon successful completion, each youth receives their own bike, helmet, lock, and
light set to keep. Organizations define their own "successful completion" criteria.
Youth who received bikes through the Statewide In-Class grant are ineligible.
🚲🚲 BIKE FLEET
Some organizations use a fleet of bikes for instruction, then provide participant
bikes at completion. Others have youth use their final bikes throughout the program.
The Youth Development Partnership Manager can help you determine the best approach.
🫱🏾🫲🏻 COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE
All youth development partners participate in a periodic learning community with other
grant recipients. This community is built around collegiality and support in shared
youth development work. Partners meet once a month to share best practices,
troubleshoot situations, stay up-to-date on reporting requirements, and receive
professional development opportunities.
════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
📄 Renewal Requirements
The renewal contains 4 main components of the proposal. Descriptions of each component are shared below. Where applicable, the tools you will use to help you work through each component are included.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
1. Open-Ended Questions
In the 2026-2027 contract period, we will introduce the initial version of Youth Development Partner Success Metrics. Keep these metrics in mind when answering the following prompts.
📎 Helpful Tool: 2026-2027 Youth Development Partner Success Metrics
- What changes to your implementation will we see in the 2026-2027 contract year?
- What will recruitment look like for you in the 2026-2027 contract year?
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
2. Implementation
In this component, we have provided a set of tools designed to clearly outline your implementation approach for the 2026-2027 contract period. Follow the instructions to fill out each tool. When completed, you will have the information you need to copy that information into the appropriate table within Submittable. There will be some short-form questions to address any areas that aren’t explicitly covered in the tools below.
School Outreach
Partnership with schools plays a key role in program success. Which schools will you work with? Use the spreadsheet linked below to identify the correct schools.
📎 Required: List of Schools and Districts (List of WA Schools and Districts)
Implementation Plan
We know it takes a lot of work to provide afterschool bike education. How many cohorts will you serve? What is your general timeline? Who is on your team? Use the spreadsheet below to create a structure for your program. Be sure read and follow the instructions closely.
📎 Required: Youth Development Implementation Plan
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
3. BUDGET PROPOSAL
Using the template provided, project costs for implementing programming over the 26-27 contract period. The starting point in framing the budget is estimating the number of youth being served, the number of sites where you will offer the program, and the program delivery schedule. The following category expenses will be part of a complete budget proposal:
📎 Required: 2026 Youth Development Budget Template
Project Management- Identify the personnel and their FTE allocation needed to implement programming. This includes benefits (i.e., health insurance, retirement contributions) paid by the employer. Please indicate their responsibilities related to this program. This includes the personnel responsible for reporting to Cascade and preparing the financial reports regarding program expenditures.
Maintenance (Labor Cost) & Storage - If your plan involves a bike fleet and you need to outsource the maintenance costs, that goes in this category. Additionally, if you will need to acquire a storage space to store equipment, that cost goes in this category.
Bike Fleet* - This cost is specifically for the purchase of bikes that will be kept by the partner organization. Not all organizations will opt to utilize a fleet.
Bikes and Equipment for Participants (BEP) - The bikes, helmets, locks, and light sets that will be provided to youth who complete the program and meet the organization's criteria.
Travel - For travel to sites, picking up supplies, attending a training in Seattle, and other travel related to the program. (Funding cannot cover the purchase of vehicles, but can be used to purchase trailers. Trailer purchase would be categorized as “other supplies.”)
Supplies - Any supplies beyond bikes and BEP will be included in this expense category. This includes tools, repair stands, cones, etc.
Indirect - Automatically calculated as a percentage of your other expenses, the indirect costs contribute towards rent, utilities, and the other costs of doing business. This category is automatically calculated at 16% of your other project management expenses.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
4. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(REQUIRED BUT NOT SCORED)
This information verifies your capacity to manage the unique financial constraints of
monthly reimbursement.
Required documents:
1. Most recent year-end Statement of Activities (Income Statement) and Statement of
Financial Position (Balance Sheet)
2. Most recent quarter-end Budget to Actuals (or Statement of Activities) and
Statement of Financial Position (Balance Sheet)
3. Projection for next year's Budget
We review these to understand your organization's financial capacity, not to score your proposal.
════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
📊 Scoring Rubric
To learn more about how your renewal is evaluated, you can download the Scoring Rubric linked below:
════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
❓ Questions & Technical Assistance
We encourage you to reach out with questions throughout the proposal process!
Youth Development Team:
Jacquelyn "Jax" Billups
Youth Development Program Officer
📧 jacquelynb@cascade.org
Rachel Longest
Youth Development Partnership Manager
📧 rachel.longest@cascade.org
Schedule A Meeting:
Sometimes questions are easier to talk through than write out in an email. Schedule
an appointment with the right person: [INSERT CALENDLY LINK]
⏰ Last Day To Request Technical Assistance: March 13, 2026
We are here to support you through every step of the proposal process. Don't hesitate
to reach out!
════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
🚀 How To Apply
All materials must be submitted through Submittable.
⏰ SUBMISSION DEADLINE: March 18, 2026, by 11:59 PM PDT
Questions? Don't hesitate to reach out to Jax or Rachel.
We look forward to receiving your proposal and to continuing to partner with you to empower youth in your community through bikes and youth development!
════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
Funding Acknowledgment
The Statewide School-Based Bike Education Grant Program is supported by the Washington
State Department of Transportation, with funding from Washington's Climate Commitment
Act. The CCA supports Washington's climate action efforts by putting a cap-and-invest
dollars to work on reducing climate pollution, creating jobs, and improving public
Health. Information about the CCA is available at www.climate.wa.gov
2026 Request for Proposals - Large School Districts and ESDs
Statewide "In-Class" Bicycle Education Program
Introduction
Cascade Bicycle Club (CBC) 501(c)3 is seeking grant proposals from Large School Districts and Educational Service Districts (ESDs) in Washington state who wish to receive grant funding from CBC to administer the Statewide "In-Class" Bicycle Education Program. This program includes the "Let's Go" bicycle and pedestrian safety PE curriculum (OSPI standards-aligned) and features an elementary curriculum for students in grades 3-5 and a middle school curriculum for students in grades 6-8. Recipients receive equipment, instructional training, and more!
About Cascade Bicycle Club
CBC 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, visit our website at cascade.org.
Background
In 2022, the Washington State Legislature passed a comprehensive, 16-year active transportation package (“Move Ahead Washington” or "MAW") that includes funding for school-based bicycle safety education programs statewide.
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) contracted with CBC to develop and administer the Statewide Program and distribute grant funding to implementing partners (school districts, Education Service Districts, and community organizations). Since the 2023-2024 pilot year, CBC has partnered with education partners across the state to provide funding and resources for partners to administer and operate the "In-Class" bicycle education program through instruction during PE classes for students in grades 3-5 & 6-8.
The "Let's Go" program operates within large schools districts/ESDs on an annual rotating school schedule to deliver the PE curriculum unit to students during PE classes. In addition to a fleet of 30+ bicycles (& adaptive bikes!), partners receive instructor training on the "Let's Go" curriculum, ongoing technical support from CBC, and funding for program personnel and ongoing equipment maintenance.
This partnership is designed to be collaborative, ongoing, and sustainable to meet the Statewide Program's expansion and impact goals. By 2039, CBC seeks to scale and expand the "In-Class" program to reach 90% of eligible students to grow the next generation of cyclists and other active transportation users. This program is the first and largest statewide youth bicycling education initiatives of its kind in the nation.
Year-Over-Year Program Outputs
2023-2024 Grant Cycle
- 8 partners
- 58 schools
- 8,857 students served
2024-2025 Grant Cycle
- 14 partners
- 160 schools
- 30,538 students served
2025-2026 Grant Cycle (Projected)
- 17 partners
- 300 schools
- 63,000 students served
In-Class Program Goals
Through a collaborative and supportive partnership with the CBC, Large School Districts and ESDs will receive grant funding to administer and operate the bicycle education program in their elementary and middle schools for students in grades 3-5 & 6-8. 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 and beyond.
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 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 transportation, climate, and public health goals. The impact is long-lasting as students will be equipped with a lifelong skill they will continue to use into adulthood to safely navigate the built environment to pursue post-secondary opportunities, work, community spaces, and beyond.
Eligible students who successfully complete the "Let's Go" curriculum will have an opportunity to earn a bike, helmet, light, and lock.
In-Class Target Audience
CBC seeks committed and collaborative Large School Districts and ESDs within Washington to administer the "In-Class" Program and deliver the "Let's Go" curriculum in their elementary and middle schools for students in grades 3-5 & 6-8.
A Large School District is defined as a WA public school district that serves more than 6,000 students enrolled in grades 3-8 (some exceptions may apply).
An Educational Service District (ESD) is one of the nine ESDs throughout Washington. 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.
Scope of Work
The following are all required of participating Large School Districts and ESD partners:
- Adopt and implement a multi-week PE curriculum unit ("Let's Go") focused on youth bicycle education and pedestrian safety provided by the CBC;
- Identify and recruit 5-10 elementary schools per trailer per year that will implement the program in PE classes;
- Participate in a “train-the-trainer” model wherein CBC provides professional development training to 1-3 identified program "leads" within each large school district/ESD, who will then train all new participating PE teachers;
- Manage transportation and maintenance of program assets, including a 16-foot trailer, bicycle fleet, and curriculum materials. Maintenance can be done in collaboration with a local bike shop and/or internally within the 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 metrics outlined in the MAW legislation;
- Submit quarterly financial and narrative progress reports to CBC in order to receive reimbursement for program expenditures;
- Identify and/or hire staff to manage the program, including participating in recurring meetings (1-3 hours/month) with CBC staff, communicating with PE teachers, and ensuring program success.
- Engage in CBC's Evaluation Plan to assess progress towards participant learning outcomes. Includes PE teacher post-program surveys, focus groups, student exit tickets, and professional development surveys.
- Host CBC staff for a minimum of one site visit during the grant period;
- Consult with CBC Communications staff before releasing any public communications that pertain to the grant or "Let's Go" program.
Additional Details
- Funding is available for a single calendar year (July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027). However, Large School Districts and ESDs will have the opportunity to renew their grant and request additional funding to expand their school reach each year.
- Funding is contingent upon continued legislative investment and biennial state budget allocations;
- First-time applicants are only eligible to for the elementary program for grades 3-5. There are limited opportunities to deliver the Middle School program for returning partners. You may indicate interest in the Middle School program within the application.
- Funds will be disbursed as quarterly reimbursements based on qualified expenses for programming. For this reason, it is necessary that grant recipients have the budgetary capacity to pay for their quarterly program expenses before reimbursement.
Proposal Requirements
- General information - Organization name, email, address, telephone number, and primary contact name and title.
- Project Interest (for new applicants) or Project Reflection (for returning partners) - Short answer questions.
- Success Readiness (for new applicants) - Describe why your large school 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 fleets, schools, and students you aim to serve in 2026-2027.
- Expansion Proposal (for returning partners) - Review expansion guidance and complete and complete an Expansion Readiness Self-Assessment (for internal reflection/guidance only).
- Personnel & Administrative Model - Describe the personnel model that works best for the large school 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.
- Mission Alignment - This funding is supported by legislation that prioritizes programming for people in Overburdened Communities. Outline how your program implementation model will ensure participation and quality programming opportunities for youth and communities.
Scoring Rubric
As of March 6, the Scoring Rubric is in it's Final Review. It will be posted by March 12.
Proposal Timeline
- Applications open: March 6, 2026
- Application deadline: April 17, 2026
- Award Decision and Notification: mid-May, 2026
- Partnership Agreements sent for review and approval: mid- late May, 2026
- New Partner Kickoff Meeting: June 2026
- *Application support sessions available upon request. Schedule a meeting via this link.
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
Application Questions
Tina Castillo (she/her)
Statewide In-Class Program Officer
tinac@cascadebicycleclub.org
(206) 558-2789
Schedule a meeting with Tina via this link.