San Francisco Bicycle Coalition

What San Francisco Bicycle Coalition does

The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition is a 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) non-profit advocacy organization founded in 1971 to promote cycling as a safe, accessible, and mainstream mode of transportation in San Francisco. It serves San Francisco residents, commuters, businesses, and civic stakeholders through a mix of free adult bicycle education (reaching roughly 1,000 adults annually), Bike It Forward refurbishment and bike valet services at major events, member-supported advocacy campaigns targeting municipal infrastructure, and community organizing efforts that include the Bridging Bayview working group.

Core programs include free in-person cycling classes, a bike valet operation (including at San Francisco Giants games), an interactive bike map, and a 40+ partner business discount network for members. The underlying technology footprint is light: a Salesforce-based membership/CRM system, a Google Maps–integrated bike map, and standard non-profit digital infrastructure. The dual 501(c)(3) Education Fund and 501(c)(4) advocacy structure is itself a core operational feature, legally separating charitable education from lobbying and political endorsement activity.

The business model is non-profit and diversified: individual memberships starting at $15 per year, tiered business memberships, donations (including a long-standing Community Thrift Store partnership), earned revenue from merchandise (including the 2026 Wompy Bags collaboration), and government contracts — most prominently with the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) for cycling education. The organization is governed by a publicly disclosed leadership team (including Director of Advocacy Claire Amable and Marketing & Communications Director Krissa Corbett Cavouras) and has earned Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency awards in both 2025 and 2026.

Name

San Francisco Bicycle Coalition

Legal name

San Francisco Bicycle Coalition

Website

https://sfbike.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition is a 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) non-profit founded in 1971 that advocates for cycling and runs free adult bicycle education, valet services, and community organizing programs serving San Francisco residents, commuters, and local businesses.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Bicycle Advocacy

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (81341), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Local & Suburban Transit & Interurban Hwy Passenger Trans (4100)

akta.pro primary industry

Bicycle Programs & Bike Share (Parking, Repair, Rentals) (EDALAKAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Bike Service, Repair & Maintenance Shops (CRAMAHAH)

Keywords

• Bicycle advocacy services
• Nonprofit transportation education
• Cycling safety programs
• Bike infrastructure advocacy
• Community cycling events

Headquarters

HQ city

San Francisco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Memberships: Annual memberships starting at $15/year or monthly recurring contributions starting at $10/month, providing voting rights, discounts at 40+ local businesses, free bike box/trailer rentals, and access to member events.
2. Donations: Tax-deductible donations to the SF Bicycle Coalition Education Fund (501c3, Tax ID: 20-5182730) supporting education and advocacy programs. Non-tax-deductible gifts to the 501c4 advocacy organization (Tax ID: 94-3228199).
3. Business Memberships: Business Membership program helping companies create active transportation cultures, providing tools to get employees cycling and supporting advocacy efforts. Includes corporate recognition and sponsorship opportunities.
4. Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including t-shirts ($27), hoodies ($50), and SF Bike Maps ($4-$6). Maps provided free with membership.
5. Government Contracts: Education contracts with SFMTA for bicycle safety education programming, part of SFMTA's Bicycle Safety Education program funded through SF County Transportation Authority Proposition L funds.
6. Community Partnerships: Donations from business members like Community Thrift Store, which has donated over $100,000 since 2005. Companies can allocate portions of sales or donations to support SF Bicycle Coalition programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition is a membership-based nonprofit organization that promotes the bicycle for everyday transportation in San Francisco through free bicycle education classes (Adult Learn to Ride, Smart City Cycling), advocacy campaigns for protected bikeways and safer streets, valet bicycle parking at major public events, and programs like Bike It Forward that refurbish bicycles for community members. It also publishes the SF Bike Map & Walking Guide and runs signature community rides including the nation's largest Bike to Work Day.

Product overview

The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition operates as a membership-based nonprofit offering a comprehensive suite of bicycling programs centered on education, advocacy, and community building. Core offerings include free Urban Bicycling Workshops (Adult Learn to Ride, Smart City Cycling series in multiple languages), the Bike It Forward refurbishment and distribution program, and free Valet Bicycle Parking at events. The organization publishes the SF Bike Map & Walking Guide and runs Signature Events including the nation's largest Bike to Work Day celebration. These programs are supported by a Membership Program (starting at $15/year) and the SF Bicycle Coalition Education Fund 501(c)(3) for tax-deductible giving. The advocacy portfolio spans neighborhood-based street campaigns, Vision Zero safety initiatives, Driver Education for professional drivers, and Bike the Vote political endorsements. Youth & Family Programs and Bikes & Business initiatives round out the portfolio.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Urban Bicycling Workshops Free bicycle education classes teaching skills from beginner riding to advanced urban cycling, including Adult Learn to Ride, Smart City Cycling series, and Night and All-Weather Biking courses available in multiple languages.
• Bike It Forward Program Program that refurbishes donated and abandoned bicycles to distribute for free to people with transportation needs in San Francisco, with regular Community Repair Night volunteer events.
• Valet Bicycle Parking Free valet bicycle parking service at public and private events throughout San Francisco, including all San Francisco Giants home games, providing monitored bicycle parking.
• SF Bike Map & Walking Guide Printed and digital bike map showing bike routes, street grades, bike shops, and bikeway types throughout San Francisco, available free with membership or for purchase.
• Membership Program Annual membership starting at $15 with benefits including advocate representation, discounts at 40+ businesses, free bike box/trailer rentals, free SF biking map, voting rights in Board elections, and free events and rides.
• Advocacy Campaigns Street campaigns and neighborhood-based advocacy for better bicycling infrastructure including protected bikeways, safer streets, and improved bike connectivity across San Francisco neighborhoods.
• Youth & Family Programs Family biking education including Freedom From Training Wheels workshops, Bike & Roll to School Week, Safe Routes to School partnerships, and multilingual family biking guides.
• Signature Events Major cycling events including Bike to Work Day (the largest in the country), Winterfest member party, and hundreds of community rides throughout the year.
• Driver Education Professional driver training courses teaching taxi, Muni, Recology and other professional drivers how to safely share streets with cyclists.
• Bikes & Business Program Business membership, Bicycle-Friendly Business Awards, and discount partner program connecting over 60 bike shops and local businesses with cyclists.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 1,000 adults taught annually through free bicycle education classes
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Community Thrift StoreminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2005Business member since 2005. Donates a portion of proceeds to SFBike when customers use code 181 at donation. Has contributed over $100,000 to support better biking in SF. Located in Mission District, accessible via Valencia Street bike lanes.
• San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary government partner for bicycle safety education. SF Bicycle Coalition delivers the SFMTA's Bicycle Safety Education program, part of the SF County Transportation Authority's Proposition L funded initiatives. Coordinates education contracts for nearly 100 annual classes teaching nearly 1,000 adults.
• Bay Wheels/LyftcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation partnership with Bay Wheels bike share system. Coalition teaches Intro to Biking in SF with Bay Wheels classes covering bicycling basics, rules of the road, route planning, and details of Bike Share for All program (low-income access).
• YMCA YBike ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership between SF Bicycle Coalition and YMCA YBike Program for school-based bicycle education. Two-week long programs teach traffic safety and biking skills through classroom and on-bike experiences at SFUSD schools.
• SF County Transportation AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding partner through Proposition L Local Transportation Sales Tax Funds for the SFMTA Bicycle Safety Education program delivered by SF Bicycle Coalition.
• Golden Gate TransitminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation contract partner for bicycle safety education services provided to Golden Gate Transit employees.
• Bay Area Bicycle LawminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner for Light Up the Night annual bike light distribution campaign. Installs hundreds of lights on bicycles for riders in the dark at secret distribution locations serving those who need them most.
• SPUR (San Francisco Bay Area Planning and Urban Research Association)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaborative partner for safe streets advocacy. Joint panel events like 'How to build safer streets' bringing together community members, City planners, and advocates.
• California Bicycle Coalition (CalBike)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional advocacy partner working together on statewide bicycle policy campaigns and initiatives affecting Bay Area cyclists.
• Bike East BaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional advocacy partner for East Bay. Collaborative classes allow SF Bicycle Coalition students to take Smart City Cycling courses at Bike East Bay locations.
• Walk San FranciscocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional pedestrian advocacy partner collaborating on safe streets issues including Vision Zero coalition efforts to eliminate traffic deaths.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• League of American Bicyclists: National bicycle advocacy nonprofit headquartered in Washington, DC. Most directly comparable peer: featured alongside SF Bicycle Coalition in Momentum Magazine coverage of leading US bicycle advocacy organizations, focuses on federal and state-level cycling policy, education, and Bike Friendly America program.
• PeopleForBikes: Boulder, CO-based bicycle industry trade association and advocacy organization. Comparable peer featured in same Momentum Magazine article as SF Bicycle Coalition; runs national Bike Friendly Business and City programs with similar advocacy-plus-industry-engagement model.
• Transportation Alternatives: New York City-based advocacy nonprofit for walking, biking, and public space. Directly comparable city-focused advocacy peer running Vision Zero campaigns, bike education classes, and street-level policy advocacy in a dense urban environment analogous to San Francisco.
• Bike New York: NYC nonprofit delivering free bicycle education and producing the TD Five Boro Bike Tour. Direct peer offering free cycling classes, bike map publication, and signature mass-participation rides similar to SF Bicycle Coalition's Bike to Work Day programming.
• Cascade Bicycle Club: Seattle-based bicycle advocacy and education nonprofit. Comparable Pacific Northwest city-focused peer running Free Group Health Ride, major signature cycling events, advocacy campaigns, and education programs paralleling SF Bicycle Coalition's portfolio.
• Walk San Francisco: San Francisco pedestrian advocacy nonprofit and formal SF Bicycle Coalition partner on Vision Zero coalition. Sibling advocacy nonprofit targeting safer streets for vulnerable road users, with overlapping member base and joint programmatic events.
• Boston Cyclists Union: Boston-area bicycle advocacy nonprofit. Comparable urban advocacy peer running policy campaigns, bike education, and community organizing; operates in another dense Northeast city with similar Vision Zero and protected bike lane agendas.

Regional players

• Bike East Bay: East Bay regional bicycle advocacy partner formally partnered with SF Bicycle Coalition. Same advocacy, education, and policy focus but serving Oakland and East Bay communities across the Bay from San Francisco; collaborative classes allow students to take Smart City Cycling courses across both organizations.
• California Bicycle Coalition (CalBike): Statewide California bicycle advocacy coalition formally partnered with SF Bicycle Coalition on state-level legislative campaigns. Comparable advocacy model but operates at California state scale rather than city-level, complementing SF Bicycle Coalition's municipal work.

Broad incumbents

• Rails-to-Trails Conservancy: Washington, DC-based national active transportation advocacy nonprofit. Broader active-transportation incumbent focused on rail-trail conversion and multi-use path advocacy; complements SF Bicycle Coalition's mission of building connected bikeway networks at national scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/sfbike
• Facebookfacebook.com/sfbike
• Instagraminstagram.com/sfbike
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/san-francisco-bicycle-coalition

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about San Francisco Bicycle Coalition