Bike Loan FAQ’s

Q: Who can apply?
A: If your employer is a member of the Transportation Services, you are eligible for the Bike Loan Program. To apply, you must:

1. work at least 20 hours per week,
2. have been employed by your employer for at least one year,
3. be at least 18 years old,
4. be eligible for payroll deduction
5. be creditworthy.

Temporary employees, volunteers, independent contractors, and field construction workers are not eligible.

Q: How do I apply?
A: Complete both the Application and Loan Terms forms and transmit them back to the Transportation Services. Be sure to fill out your portion of the the Employment Verification form and pass it along to your payroll or HR department. They will complete the form and send it to us.

Q: What can I buy with my bike loan?
A: In addition to a bicycle, bicycle-related accessories can also be financed, such as safety items (helmets, headlights, leg bands, cycling gloves, lights), locks (U-locks or Cobra Links), and commuting equipment (racks, panniers, fenders).

Q: When do I shop for my bicycle?
A: Once your loan is approved, you will receive a Pre-Approval Certificate good for 90 days. During that time, you’ll make your final selections, present your Pre-Approval Certificate to the store where you plan to make your purchases, and ask them to hold your bike and accessories while your loan check is being prepared.

Q: Are discounts available?
A: Many of the county’s best bicycle stores have agreed to offer discounts to customers buying bikes and accessories through this program. See our list of Preferred Retailers.

Q: Does 0% interest really save me money?
A: Absolutely! For example, if you spent $600 on a bicycle and accessories and put it on your credit card, you pay over $60 in interest during the first year (assuming 18% interest rate). Plus, choosing to buy your bike from one of the Preferred Retailers saves you even more!

Q: What will my monthly payment be?
A: Since there is no interest, simply divide the amount of your loan by 12 to get the monthly payments. The actual amount deducted from your paychecks will be based on the pay cycle at your company–weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, monthly, etc.

Click here to download a printable loan form. (PDF)
Please complete all application components, including the baseline survey.

Special Discounts

These are the Special Discounts offered to Ecology Action’s Transportation Membership Services Bicycle Loan Borrowers. These businesses have agreed to offer discounts to customers buying bicycles through the Ecology Action’s Bicycle Loan Program.