Do you have a bike you no longer ride? Can you share that bike with an essential worker or someone down on their luck from our current crisis? Or do you need a free bike because your other modes of transportation aren’t working during the coronavirus? Bike Match programs can pair you with a free bike or connect you with someone who can use your bike.

Here are some of the volunteer efforts to connect people who need a bike with those who have an extra one. We will keep updating this page as we learn of more bike match resources.

Get hooked up through Bike Match! #BikeMatch

We’ll add to this list as it grows! Please let us know if you know of other existing Bike Match programs within California. 

Sprocket (statewide)

Sprocket’s Android, iOS and Web apps list bikes for sale as well as free bicycles. (Android instructions available here, iOS instructions available here.)

San Francisco Bike Match

SF and East Bay residents, especially frontline workers, can get connected to a free bike. Donate or request a bike with the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition’s Bike Match program.

Connect to services such as bike repair, instruction, used bicycle sales, youth training, earn-a-bike programs, and more on Bike East Bay’s resource page.

LACountyBikeMatch is connecting people throughout LA County who have an extra bicycle with people who need one. This may include traveling to essential jobs, running crucial errands, or participating in mutual aid for vulnerable people who cannot leave their homes. You can also donate a bike to those in need.

Sacramento Bike Match

Sacramento Bike Match is connecting first responders, medical professionals and essential workers on the front lines with free bikes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Silicon Valley Bike Match

The Silicon Valley Bike Match is offering bikes to essential workers in need of transportation. You can also donate bikes that aren’t in perfect working order.

Gilroy Bike Match

Gilroy/Morgan Hill Bike Match is connecting people who have an extra bicycle with people who need one. This may include traveling to essential jobs, running crucial errands, or participating in mutual aid for vulnerable people who cannot leave their homes. You can also donate a bike to those in need. This bike match has made a short YouTube video to explain how it works.

Wheels for Heroes

The #WheelsforHeroes program, sponsored by Brompton Bicycles and Spinlister, matches people with extra bikes with healthcare workers who need bikes to get around. The workers get a free bike rental, you get a secure way to share your bike and help out a frontline worker. The program is open to any kind of bike, not just Bromptons, and bike shops can join as well as individuals.

Start a Bike Match in your Community.

Contact CalBike to learn more. We can refer you to a free and easy platform where you can match donors to recipients. The set-up is minimal and this is a great way to serve your community.

Best practices for choosing a bike

• Make sure the bicycle fits you. Don’t know what size you need? Start with this chart.
• Check that the bike is in good shape. If  your new bicycle needs work before you can ride it, you can take it to a bike repair shop. Bike repair is an essential business and many bike shops remain open during the shelter in place order.
• Make exchanges in a public, well-lit space. Maintain at least 6 feet of distance and clean the bike (especially handlebars) before passing it off.

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