Coalition for Appropriate Transportation

What Coalition for Appropriate Transportation does

Coalition for Appropriate Transportation (CAT) is a Pennsylvania-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, incorporated in March 1994 and granted tax-exempt status in October 2001, that operates as the primary active-transportation advocacy and programming organization in the Lehigh Valley. Its mission centers on strengthening the regional community and environment through bicycling, pedestrian accessibility, and public transportation. CAT is headquartered in downtown Bethlehem (33 W. Walnut Street, Walnut Street Garage), with a small staff of approximately five supported by a nine-member Board of Directors plus one ex-officio attorney.

The organization's core offering is a portfolio of community programs: the CAT Bicycle Cooperative (a community bike-shop workspace offering maintenance classes from basic through wheel-building and CyclingSavvy traffic skills), group bike rides (weekly women's rides, weekend social rides, overnight and camping trips), the Bike2Work bike-build program (adults in need earn a refurbished bike through five volunteer hours), the Holiday Bikes program (refurbished bikes for children in financial hardship), the Bike Smart Lehigh Valley youth education curriculum, and the Adopt-a-Bus Stop partnership with LANta Bus for transit-infrastructure maintenance. CAT also engages in pedestrian and ADA-accessibility advocacy, notably the Yield to Pedestrians initiative.

Revenue is generated through diversified non-profit streams: annual memberships ($75 individual, $150 family), individual and corporate donations, corporate sponsorships, event registration fees and program suggested-donations (e.g., Bike Broad, overnight tours, classes), and grants from agencies and partners including the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Lehigh Valley Greenways, Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, and the Adventure Cycling Association. The go-to-market motion is community-led: volunteer engagement, group rides, school partnerships, municipal collaboration with Bethlehem, Allentown, and Easton, and direct in-person programming through the co-op. Revenue figures are not publicly disclosed.

Name

Coalition for Appropriate Transportation

Legal name

Coalition for Appropriate Transportation

Website

https://lvcat.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

CAT is a Bethlehem, Pennsylvania-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that promotes bicycling, walking, and public transportation across the Lehigh Valley through education, group rides, bike-building programs, and advocacy partnerships with local municipalities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Active Transportation Advocacy

NAICS

Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Transportation Services (4700)

akta.pro primary industry

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

Keywords

• Active transportation advocacy
• Bicycle education programs
• Community cycling services
• Pedestrian safety programs
• Public transit partnerships

Headquarters

HQ city

Bethlehem

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership dues: Annual memberships from individuals and families who support CAT's mission to promote bicycling, walking, and public transit in the Lehigh Valley.
2. Donations and contributions: Individual and corporate donations supporting CAT's programs, advocacy work, and community initiatives.
3. Corporate sponsorships: Sponsorships from businesses and organizations that align with CAT's mission and want to support active transportation in the Lehigh Valley.
4. Event registration fees: Fees for special events like Bike Broad, bike overnight trips, and bike camping experiences.
5. Program fees: Suggested donations for bike classes and educational programs at the CAT Bicycle Cooperative.
6. Grants: Funding from organizations like Adventure Cycling Association, Lehigh Valley Greenways, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

CAT is a nonprofit organization that promotes bicycling, walking, and public transportation in Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley. It delivers community programming including group bike rides, bicycle maintenance and traffic-skills classes, a member-run Bicycle Cooperative, youth bike safety education, the Bike2Work refurbishment program, an annual Holiday Bikes giveaway, the Adopt-a-Bus Stop partnership with LANta Bus, and pedestrian/ADA accessibility advocacy.

Product overview

CAT-Coalition for Appropriate Transportation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization offering a portfolio of programs focused on promoting bicycling, walking, and public transportation in Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley. The core offerings include the Bike Rides Program (weekly group rides and overnight bike camping trips), Bike Classes (maintenance and traffic skills education), CAT Bicycle Cooperative (community bike shop), Youth Bike Education (safety programs for children), Bike2Work Bike-Build Program (earning bikes through volunteerism), Holiday Bike Program (refurbished bikes for children), Adopt-a-Bus Stop Program (transit infrastructure partnership), and Pedestrian Programs (ADA accessibility advocacy). The organization also maintains multiple event calendars and provides membership, volunteer, and donation opportunities for community engagement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bike Rides Program CAT's group bike ride program offering regularly scheduled rides on local trails and city streets for riders of all skill levels, including weekly women's rides, Over the Hill rides for retirees, weekend bakery rides, and multi-day overnight bike camping trips.
• Bike Classes Educational bicycle classes covering basic maintenance, advanced mechanic training, wheel building, CyclingSavvy, and Smart Cycling courses that teach traffic skills and confidence to adult and youth cyclists.
• CAT Bicycle Cooperative A community bike-shop space where members can work on their own bikes, volunteer to help others, rebuild bikes, get advice, and donate used bikes, supported by trained staff during regular hours.
• Youth Bike Education / Bike Smart Lehigh Valley Bicycle safety and education programs for children that teach helmet fitting, A-B-C quick checks, bike-handling skills, and the BIG4 rules of the road, delivered through school-based Bike Clubs and youth events.
• Bike2Work Bike-Build Program Program in which adults in need earn a bicycle by volunteering five hours at the CAT Bicycle Cooperative, then refurbish their own bike with volunteers and receive a helmet, lock, lights, and traffic-skills education.
• Holiday Bike Program Annual program that provides newly refurbished bikes to children from families with financial hardship, with bikes rebuilt by volunteers and distributed during the holiday season.
• Adopt-a-Bus Stop Program Partnership program with LANta Bus in which CAT volunteers help maintain and improve bus stops, providing dignity and amenities for public transit riders, residents, visitors, and businesses.
• Walk/Pedestrian Programs Initiatives promoting pedestrian and ADA accessibility across the Lehigh Valley, including the Yield to Pedestrians campaign encouraging drivers to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks.

Quantifiable outcome

• 64 adults received bikes and traffic skills education in 2024 through Bike2Work program
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• City of BethlehemcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026Key municipal partner for Bike Broad car-free community ride event; Mayor Reynolds participated in ribbon cutting for CAT's new facility; collaboration on bike infrastructure advocacy and events
• Treatment Trends (The Center in Allentown)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Sponsored CAT's Bike2Work program providing classroom sessions and rides for adults needing affordable transportation options in Allentown; Program coordinator Brandy Rosania facilitated sessions
• Genesis Bicycles (Easton)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2018Won Bike Shop category in LV Bike2Work 2018 competition; provides bike safety checks for events
• Trek AllentownminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2018Won Bike Shop category (2nd place) in LV Bike2Work 2018 competition
• Cutters Bike ShopminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2018Won Bike Shop category (3rd place) in LV Bike2Work 2018 competition
• Saucon Valley Bikes (Hellertown)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2018Participated as bike shop partner in LV Bike2Work 2018 events
• LANta BuscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdopt-a-Bus Stop program partnership where CAT works with LANta Bus to provide dignity to public transit riders by maintaining and improving bus stops. CAT volunteers help maintain bus stops benefiting residents, visitors, and businesses throughout the Lehigh Valley.
• Bethlehem Parking AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing space for CAT's new headquarters and Bicycle Cooperative at the Walnut Street Garage in downtown Bethlehem
• Lehigh Valley Greenways Conservation LandscapecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for events including women's bike overnight rides; funding provided through Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation, Environmental Stewardship Fund, administered by Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor
• Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor (D&L)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Heritage Corridor partner supporting D&L Trail advocacy; Take Action Campaign partnership for trail stories; collaborated on women's rides and trail improvement efforts
• Lehigh Valley Planning CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWon Employer category (2nd place) in LV Bike2Work 2018; collaborates on bike infrastructure planning and advocacy
• Community Bike WorkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization supporting LV Bike2Work Week 2018; collaboration on youth and community cycling programs
• PennDOT District 5-0coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on bike infrastructure and safety initiatives; CAT provided input on Hill-to-Hill Bridge (SR378) redesign
• Bethlehem Area Public LibraryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVenue for CAT Annual Meetings and community events
• Lehigh University Police DepartmentminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner in LV Bike2Work Week 2018 events
• Green Building UnitedminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner in LV Bike2Work Week 2018 events
• Easton Area Police Athletic LeagueminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner in LV Bike2Work Week 2018 events
• Mayor's Office (Allentown - Mayor Tuerk)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerMayor Tuerk led bike rides including to West Park concert and participated in community events promoting active transportation
• Mayor's Office (Bethlehem - Mayor Reynolds)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerMayor Reynolds participated in Bike to Work Week ride and ribbon cutting ceremony for CAT's new facility

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Adventure Cycling Association: Missoula-based national nonprofit supporting bike travel through routes, tours, and education. CAT has received mini-grant funding from Adventure Cycling for women's overnight rides, indicating operational alignment around cycling education and group travel.
• Bike Pittsburgh / BikePGH: Pittsburgh-based nonprofit advocating for safer streets and better bike infrastructure, with community education and group rides. Same-state (PA) peer with an analogous urban-suburban active-transportation advocacy and education mission.
• Recycle a Bicycle: NYC nonprofit running bike education, refurbishment, and youth workforce programs. Strong model overlap with CAT's Bicycle Cooperative, Holiday Bikes, and Bike2Work earn-a-bike programs.
• Community Bike Works: Allentown, PA-based nonprofit that teaches bicycle mechanics and life skills to youth, paired with earned-bike programs. Operates in the same Lehigh Valley geography as CAT with a directly overlapping youth cycling education and refurbished-bike mission.
• Bike New York: NYC-based nonprofit delivering free bike education, community rides, and the TD Five Boro Bike Tour. Direct peer in mission (bike education and community events) and operates the kind of large-scale programming CAT aspires to scale.
• Rails-to-Trails Conservancy: National nonprofit that advocates for and catalyzes rail-trail and active-transportation infrastructure. CAT is documented as a D&L Trail partner; both organizations share advocacy, trail-building, and active-transportation missions at different geographic scales.
• Trips for Kids: National nonprofit providing mountain biking and cycling programs for at-risk youth. Direct comparable to CAT's Holiday Bikes and youth education programming, though focused on mountain biking trail rides rather than urban active transportation.
• Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia: Philadelphia-area nonprofit advocating for safer bicycling, walking, and transit through education, advocacy, and community rides. Closest same-state peer to CAT with a structurally identical active-transportation mission and programming model.
• League of American Bicyclists: National bicycling advocacy organization whose League Cycling Instructor (LCI) certification is held by CAT's Executive Director and board members. CAT's CyclingSavvy and Smart Cycling courses directly extend the League's curriculum at the community level.

Broad incumbents

• PeopleForBikes: National bicycling industry and advocacy coalition supporting infrastructure funding and policy. Operates at a much larger scale than CAT and overlaps on federal/state active-transportation advocacy but does not run community-level education or earn-a-bike programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCqvdi3GJe_KS9fzDknMljRQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/LVCAT
• Instagraminstagram.com/cat_lehighvalley
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cat-coalition-for-appropriate-transportation

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

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 Coalition for Appropriate Transportation