LMB is thrilled to announce the recipients of funds from the 2018 Micro-Grant Program!
In 2017 LMB launched a Micro-Grant Program, opening up funds to foster the growth of bicycling initiatives around the state. The Micro-Grant Program aimed to provide financial assistance to individuals and organizations who implement creative projects that promote bicycling and the safety of bicyclists on Michigan roadways.
In 2018, LMB received nearly four times the grant proposals as the year before. All proposals submitted were worthy projects. We applaud all of the applicants for their efforts to promote bicycle safety, access, awareness, and education.
The projects that received funds through the 2018 Micro-Grant Grant Program are:
Bike Dearborn
Bike Dearborn is a grassroots organization with bike advocacy efforts focusing on creating a safe bicycling community and culture. Bike Dearborn not only promotes recreational bicycling but also the sustainable and equitable sides of bicycling as a mode of transportation. In 2018, Bike Dearborn was awarded the Governor’s Fitness Award for Active Communities. Their grant will go towards The Better Bike Project to install several bicycle repair stations throughout the City of Dearborn, including the downtown area and the Rouge River Gateway Trail.
Bike Friendly Soo
Bike Friendly Soo strives to promote bicycle and pedestrian awareness through educational activities and by advocating for infrastructure that creates a safe bicycling community in Sault Ste Marie. As part of their mission, Bike Friendly Soo is planning an event to educate young riders and their parents on how to ride safely in the Soo. Their grant will help their upcoming family focused Bike Rodeo that will outfit children with helmets and teach participants about bike maintenance, safety, and more.
Carver Camp of Metropolitan Missionary Baptist District
Carver Camp is a place where underserved children from Detroit get the chance to explore the great outdoors. Upon arriving at the camp, each participant is given a bicycle upon arriving at the camp so they can ride through the unspoiled nature and countryside of the area. The kids learn how to ride safely and confidently, how fun cycling can be, and that cycling can be a viable form of transportation. Their grant was awarded to purchase bicycles that will serve campers for many years.
Common Cycle
Common Cycle is a community-based organization empowering Ann Arbor to ride bicycles by providing access to education, workspace, and resources. For seven years, they have successfully served their community through their weekly mobile repair stand as well as through community events. Their grant will be going towards a more accessible and welcoming permanent co-op space. The new space will allow Common Cycle to expand their existing programs and offer them year-round. The new space will also allow them to aid a shelter for individuals experiencing homelessness right next door.
Friends of Garfield Township Parks
Friends of Garfield Township Parks is committed to the development, improvement, and maintenance of the parks and community spaces of Garfield Township and Clare County. Their grant will go towards the installation of bicycle repair stations and bicycle racks at the new Lake Station Trailhead along the Pere Marquette State Trail. The new stations will provide convenience and safety – riders can readily make repairs or pump up their tires without risking the traffic if busy M-10.
Kids Repair Program
Kids Repair Program provides positive experiences and educational opportunities in bicycle safety, repair, maintenance, and bicycling as healthy exercise. Their grant will go towards repairing their van and open trailer used to pick up bikes from donation locations. The Kids Repair program puts skills and usable bicycles in the hands of Lansing youth. Its mission is to provide positive experiences and educational opportunities in safety, repair, maintenance, and biking.
Lansing Bike Cooperative
The Lansing Bike Co-op empowers our community through bicycle education and access. Their grant will be going towards their Mobile Outreach Program allowing them to collaborate with other community organizations for offsite pop-up events using a pull behind bicycle trailer. Their campaign aims to engage with underserved communities in the Lansing area. The Program will increase the Lansing Co-op’s reach to serve new communities.
MiSCA
The Michigan Scholastic Cycling Association works to establish and maintain safe, quality scholastic cycling programs. Their grant will be used for their More Girls on Bikes project. This project endeavors to increase the number of young women participating in cycling and to increase their riding confidence by exploring and building new skills. The program will engage young women in interscholastic cycling and train female coaches and mentors.
Norte!
Norte’s mission is to build stronger, better connected, more bike-friendly communities by empowering the young and young at heart. Their grant was awarded towards the Grand Traverse Advocate Academy, a community-driven program aimed at empowering grassroots leaders to be effective advocates for policies and infrastructure that encourages active transportation. Through this program, Norte helps grow the grassroots movement towards a more bike/walk friendly community where riding is safe and accessible year round.
Portland Raider Riders
Portland Raider Riders will be introduced within Portland Public Schools to refine and master bicycle-riding skills for on and off-road environments while teaching the value of cycling as a lifelong, healthy activity. They were awarded a grant to maintain a mountain bike trail on Portland High School’s property, establishing after-school riding opportunities.
Together We Can Make a Difference
The Armory Bike Union refurbishes used bicycles to be used in their community. They partner with the Jackson Interfaith Shelter to provide safe, reliable transportation to persons who have found themselves to be homeless. They also work with a local group to assist parolees, both men and women. The Armory Bike Union aims to serve at-risk families, homeless, parolees, and the public to create a safe, vibrant bicycling culture in Jackson. Their Micro-Gran will be used to include helmets with each bicycle given through their programs.
Upshift Detroit
Upshift Detroit is a start-up mobile bicycle repair truck dedicated to providing quality repair services and optimally convenient customer care while promoting inclusivity and accessibility. Upshift was awarded a grant to provide education on bicycle mechanics and safety to areas of Detroit with limited access to bicycle services.
Waterford Township
Waterford Township strives to provide service with integrity and promote a sense of community. Their grant was awarded for signage on Riverwalk. The new signage will allow users of the non-motorized Riverwalk along the Clinton River. The construction of the Riverwalk aims to provide Waterford residents a place to gather and engage in healthy outdoor activities including cycling.
Congratulations to all the Micro-Grant recipients! We truly wish all those who applied the best with their projects.
Check back on the LMB website for updates about the progress of our Micro-Grant recipients.