Hayward Rides program holds first bike giveaway event

HAYWARD, Calif., Oct. 24, 2025- The City of Hayward will give away more than 150 bikes to members of the Hayward Youth Commission and preselected high school students and residents during the Hayward Public Library's Trunk or Treat festival at Heritage Plaza this Saturday, Oct. 25, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This is the first bike giveaway of Hayward Rides, one of the largest municipal bike programs of its kind in America, funded by the California Air Resource Board's (CARB) Clean Mobility in Schools and Sustainable Transportation Equity Project grants. The program's goal is to provide Hayward residents, especially high school students and lower income community members, with greater access to cycling: an affordable, sustainable and active mode of transport.

Trunk or Treat attendees can learn about the program from City staff at the giveaway. Area nonprofits Eden Youth and Family Center and Bike East Bay, both partners of Hayward Rides on the CARB-grant-supported giveaway program, will help distribute the bikes and run a bike valet service at the event.

Hayward Rides will give away approximately 2,000 free bikes in batches through the end of 2026, including urban and entry-level mountain bikes, as well as some e-bikes for adults. To inspire the next generation of riders, Hayward Rides will focus on high school students, aiming to allocate 75 percent of the program's bikes to them. All recipients will receive a helmet, front and rear lights, a bike lock, kickstand and a tire-repair kit.

City staff and project partners have conducted extensive community outreach, including more than 1,000 resident interviews, to ensure Hayward Rides can serve the needs of Hayward's diverse population. Hayward Rides will also offer bike education classes with Bike East Bay to support Hayward's growing cycling culture. Residents can find these classes on the Bike East Bay event calendar here.

Hayward residents with questions about the program and/or who are interested in applying for a free bike may contact the Hayward Rides team at [email protected] or Eden Youth and Family Center at [email protected]. For more on the Hayward Rides program, visit the program webpage here on the City of Hayward website.