Bicycling and Recreation Grants - applications open

National Safe Routes to School Mini-Grant for Bicycling

Applications Due October 22, 2014

The National Center for Safe Routes to School and Schwinn's Helmets on Heads program are teaming up to provide 25 $1,000 mini-grants to 25 schools across the country.  These mini-grants support a common goal of both organizations: to support educators, communities and families in encouraging children to safely bike to school.

Applications are now being accepted for mini-grant activities planned for the second half of the 2014-2015 school year. These funds can be used for activities ranging from the nuts and bolts to help start or sustain bicycling programs, to new, inspiring ideas that explore the range of benefits of safe bicycling.  Selected mini-grant proposals will fit a school's needs and interests around safe bicycling and helmet safety education, and will require that correct helmet use be a mandatory component of any program. Recipients are also asked to share the Helmets on Heads pledge with students or youth involved in their program.

Mini-grant activities should occur between January 1, 2015, and the end of the Spring 2015 semester.  Download the application or apply online.

Recreational Trails Program Funding

Applications Due November 14, 2014
The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) funds trail improvements in communities throughout the state each year. RTP is a federal assistance program to help states provide and maintain recreational trails for both motorized and non-motorized use.  It provides funds for a variety of trails including those for walking, bicycling, in-line skating, water activities, equestrian use, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, off-road motorcycling, all-terrain vehicle use, four-wheel driving, and other off-road vehicle use.

Deadline for the application is November 14, 2014.  See here for more information and the application.  Please contact Mick Rogers, Supervisor of Outdoor Recreation with any questions at mick.rogers@maine.gov

Safety Presentations, Rodeos, Bike Clubs & Helmets

Request Presentations & Technical Assistance Here

Apply for Helmets Here

The Maine Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Education Program, a partnership of the Maine Department of Transportation and the Bicycle Coalition of Maine, wants to remind you that the following programs are available at no cost to all schools in Maine:

• Youth Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Education - Target Grades: 3-8 (trained instructors come to your school to conduct dynamic presentations )

• Youth Bicycle Riding Clubs - Target Grades: 5-8 (fun six-week hands-on curriculum led by certified instructors)

• Bicycle Safety Rodeos - Target Grades: K-4 (get technical assistance and information on how to run a "continuous flow" Bike Safety Rodeo.)

• Maine Bicycle Helmet Program - This program - a partnership of the Maine DOT and the Bicycle Coalition of Maine - can provide bicycle  helmets   to  youth  through  schools,  police  departments,  community  groups, etc.  Applicants must commit to arranging bicycle and pedestrian safety education presentations for helmet recipients before or within three months of submitting their order.  See here for more information and to apply for helmets through the program.   

To request a presentation or to start an Youth Bike Club, fill out our online Request Form.  For information on holding a Bike Rodeo, please contact Erik da Silva, Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Education Coordinator, at erik@bikemaine.org.  And you can learn more about the above programs here.

Maine Walking School Bus Program - Coming Soon!

The statewide Walking School Bus (WSB) Program provides local schools with the opportunity to start or build on their own walking school bus programs, with technical and financial assistance from the statewide program. The funding supports a WSB Coordinator within the school, technical assistance from Maine SRTS staff, and walking school bus equipment and marketing materials.

More details and the school application process will be coming this fall. In the meantime, please e-mail program staff at saferoutes@bikemaine.org if you're interested in this program for your community school!