Who Can Apply?How do I Apply?What Can I Buy?When Do I Shop for My Bike?Are Discounts Available?Does 0% Interest Really Save Me Money?What Will My Monthly Payment Be?Download a printable loan form (PDF)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:
- work at least 20 hours per week,
- have been employed by your employer for at least one year,
- be at least 18 years old,
- be eligible for payroll deduction
- 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.
| If you Borrow: | Your Monthly Payment will be: |
|---|---|
| $250 | $20.83 |
| $350 | $29.16 |
| $450 | $37.50 |
| $550 | $45.83 |
| $650 | $54.16 |
| $750 | $62.50 |
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.
| Store | Phone | Offer |
|---|---|---|
| Another Bike Shop 2361 Mission Street Santa Cruz, CA 95060 www.anotherbikeshop.com |
427-2232 | 5% off non-sale bicycles 20% off accessories 15% off Giro Helmets |
| Bicycle Trip Capitola 3555 Clares St Suite T Capitola, CA 95010 www.bicycletripcapitola.com |
226-5050 | 5% off non-sale bicycles 10% off non-sale accessories + parts |
| Bicycle Trip 1001 Soquel Avenue Santa Cruz, CA 95062 www.bicycletrip.com |
427-2580 | 5% off non-sale bicycles 10% off non-sale accessories & parts |
| Cabrillo College Bike Co-op 6500 Soquel Drive Aptos, CA 95003 |
479-6100 | No Discount Available |
| Current eBikes 131 Front Street, Suite D Santa Cruz, CA 95062 www.currentebikes.com |
621-2309 | A $100 store credit for accessories/parts with the purchase of a eBike (electric bike). 15% Off all parts/accessories within 30 Days of a bike purchase |
| Cycle Works 1420 Mission Street Santa Cruz, CA 95060 cycleworks.bike |
316-7671 | 10% off purchase of non-sale bicycles 15% off non-sale merchandise |
| Epicenter Cycling 8035 Soquel Avenue Aptos, CA 95003 OR 1730 Mission Street Santa Cruz, CA 95060 www.epicentercycling.com |
662-8100 OR 423-9000 |
5% off non-sale bicycles 10% off non-sale accessories and parts Lifetime of free tune-ups with the purchase of a bicycle |
| Family Cycling Center 912 41st Avenue Santa Cruz, CA 95062 www.familycycling.com |
475-3883 | 10% off non-sale bicycles 15% off non-sale accessories |
| Scott’s Valley Cycle Sport 245-C Mt. Hermon Road Scotts Valley, CA 95066 www.svcyclesport.com |
440-9070 | 15% off parts and accessories with the purchase of a bike at time of purchase |
| Spokesman Bicycles 231 Cathcart Street Santa Cruz, CA 95060 www.spokesmanbicycles.com |
429-6062 | 5% off all bicycles 15% off accessories Free bike fit included with purchase |