Bike Cleveland

What Bike Cleveland does

Bike Cleveland is a 501(c)(3) non-profit advocacy organization founded in 2011 in Cleveland, Ohio, with a 12-person staff operating under Executive Director Jacob VanSickle. The organization's mission is to promote bicycling and advocate for safe, equitable transportation across Greater Cleveland and Northeast Ohio. Its work spans four pillars: (1) policy and infrastructure advocacy, including the Vision Zero initiative with the City of Cleveland, NOACA-coordinated bikeway projects, and Safe Routes to School; (2) education programs for adults, youth, seniors, and transportation professionals, delivered through the E-Bike 101 curriculum, Silver Spokes (Cleveland Department of Aging), and the new Cleveland Transportation Academy; (3) community organizing through 7 chartered local chapters and a network of action-alert campaigns; and (4) signature events, principally the annual Bike Cleveland Fundo (12th edition in August 2026).

Bike Cleveland does not develop proprietary technology products; its digital footprint is a WordPress-based website, email newsletter, social channels, and event registration through BikeReg. The organization distributes services and content rather than software. Quantifiable outcomes include 75,000+ Clevelanders engaged through events, 1,200+ bikes repaired free of charge, 400+ bike parking spaces installed, 125+ miles of bike lanes advocated for, and 800+ million media impressions from the "We're All Drivers" campaign.

Revenue is generated across five streams: nearly 2,500 dues-paying individual members (~$35 annual), event registration fees for the Fundo and other rides ($10-$130 per registrant), corporate sponsorships (32+ business partners at supporter/sponsor tiers plus event-specific sponsors such as Knabe Law Firm, MetroHealth, and Pickle Juice), foundation and government grants (George Gund Foundation as historical anchor plus federal/state funding for Safe Routes to School and bike share), and fee-based custom education programs for businesses, schools, and organizations. Distribution is direct: membership enrollment via website, event self-registration, custom program sales, and partnership discounts at local bike shops.

Name

Bike Cleveland

Legal name

Bike Cleveland

Website

https://bikecleveland.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Bike Cleveland is a 501(c)(3) non-profit advocacy organization that promotes cycling and pedestrian safety in Greater Cleveland through infrastructure advocacy, education programs, community organizing, and signature events for individual cyclists, schools, businesses, and municipal partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Transportation Advocacy Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Civic and Social Organizations (81341)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Bike Rental, Demo & Tour Operators (Retail-Adjacent) (CRAMAHAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Bicycle Programs & Bike Share (Parking, Repair, Rentals) (EDALAKAE), Bikeshare (Station-Based/Docked) (TLAFAMAE)

Keywords

• Bicycle advocacy nonprofit
• Cycling education programs
• Community organizing services
• Transportation policy advocacy
• Bicycle infrastructure planning

Headquarters

HQ city

Cleveland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Nearly 2,500 dues-paying members pay annual membership fees. Members receive benefits including event discounts, free admission to annual meeting, exclusive updates, invitations to social events, and discounts at local business partners.
2. Event Registration Fees: The annual Bike Cleveland Fundo generates revenue through tiered registration fees ranging from $10 (youth) to $57 (adult 30/60 mile) depending on early bird status and distance. Additional revenue from combo registrations with jerseys ($125-$130). Day-of registration available at higher rates.
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors support events and programs. The 2026 Fundo has named sponsors including Knabe Law Firm (title sponsor), MetroHealth (30-mile route sponsor), and Pickle Juice (60-mile rest stops). Business partners receive logo placement, social media recognition, and memberships for staff.
4. Foundation and Government Grants: The organization receives funding from foundations including the George Gund Foundation (initial founding funding), as well as federal, state, and foundation grants for specific programs like Safe Routes to School and bike share implementation.
5. Custom Education Programs: Fee-based custom education programs for businesses (professional development rides), schools, and community organizations including the Silver Spokes senior cycling program. Contact Diana Hildebrand for pricing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Bike Cleveland is a 501(c)(3) non-profit advocacy organization that promotes bicycling and safe, equitable transportation across Greater Cleveland and Northeast Ohio. It delivers this through three integrated pillars: advocacy campaigns and policy work for safer streets and Vision Zero, education programs (group classes, custom curricula for businesses and seniors, and a seven-week Cleveland Transportation Academy), and community engagement via seven local chapters, volunteers, and signature fundraising events like the annual Bike Cleveland Fundo.

Product overview

Bike Cleveland is a 501(c)(3) advocacy non-profit organization, not a technology product company. The organization offers programs and services including advocacy campaigns, education classes, annual events (notably the Bike Cleveland Fundo), local chapters, and resources for cyclists. The 'products' are service programs rather than software products. Key offerings include the Biking in Cleveland Guide and E-Bike Guide (downloadable resources), Education Classes and Programs (bike handling, traffic safety, maintenance instruction), Custom Education Programs (Professional Development Rides, Silver Spokes), Cleveland Transportation Academy (7-week advocacy training course), Vision Zero Initiative support, and Bike Index integration for stolen bike recovery. No public API, AI capabilities, or software products are offered.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Bike Cleveland Fundo: Annual cycling event and fundraiser featuring multiple route options (10, 30, and 60 miles) through Cleveland and surrounding communities.

Products and services

• Bike Cleveland Fundo Annual fully-supported group bicycle ride and fundraiser offering 10-mile, 30-mile, and 60-mile route options through Cleveland's bike network, with tiered registration pricing, rest stops, jersey add-ons, and complimentary Bike Cleveland annual membership included for adult riders. Open to youth and adults.
• Bike Cleveland Annual Membership Annual dues-paying membership for individuals, families, and businesses that funds advocacy work and provides benefits including event discounts, free admission to the annual meeting, exclusive updates, social event invitations, and discounts at 32+ local bike shop and merchant partners. Business Partner tiers (Supporter and Sponsor) include logo placement, social media recognition, and complimentary memberships for staff.
• Education Classes and Programs Group education classes covering bike handling, traffic safety, maintenance, e-bike operation, and bike commuting, including Bike Commuting 101, E-Bike 101, How We Roll maintenance classes, and League Certified Instructor (LCI) certification seminars for adults and youth across Greater Cleveland.
• Custom Education Programs Fee-based, tailored education curricula delivered to businesses, schools, and community organizations, including Professional Development Rides for transportation professionals and the Silver Spokes senior cycling program delivered in collaboration with the Cleveland Department of Aging. Pricing is quoted on request through Education Director Diana Hildebrand.
• Cleveland Transportation Academy Seven-week structured course that teaches biking and walking advocates the fundamentals of street design, transportation decision-making processes, and community organizing so they can build winning campaigns for safer streets in Greater Cleveland.

Quantifiable outcome

• 75,000+ Clevelanders engaged through events
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Knabe Law FirmflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 26 January 2026Title sponsor of 2026 Bike Cleveland Fundo. Ken Knabe is Greater Cleveland's Bike Attorney, specializing in representing injured cyclists. Law firm provides financial support for the annual Fundo event in exchange for naming rights and prominent branding. Knabe also co-authors the Bikes & the Law section of the Bike Cleveland website.
• MetroHealthcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 26 January 2026Sponsor of the 30-mile route at 2026 Bike Cleveland Fundo. MetroHealth is a healthcare system committed to comprehensive, whole-person care. Logo placement and recognition at rest stops along the 30-mile route.
• Pickle JuicecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 26 January 2026Sponsor providing Pickle Juice brand hyper-functional performance beverage for rest stops along the 60-mile route at 2026 Fundo. Product described as hyper-functional performance beverage made to stop muscle cramps at the source, all natural, clinically backed.
• NOACA (Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMetropolitan planning organization for Northeast Ohio. Bike Cleveland works with NOACA on transportation planning, bikeway design, and secured funding for The Midway and Lorain Avenue Cycletrack projects through NOACA. NOACA also provides Street Supplies Program lending library for tactical urbanism projects.
• City of ClevelandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary municipal partner for Vision Zero initiative, Complete and Green Streets Typologies Plan, Safe Routes to School program, and various bike lane and infrastructure projects. Partnership for Memorial Signage Program honoring traffic violence victims.
• Cuyahoga CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in large scale bike share implementation (2016), Bike With a Mayor Initiative, and County Department of Sustainability programs.
• Cleveland Metropolitan School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Secure federal, state and foundation funding to implement a city-wide Safe Routes to School Travel Plan, bringing bike safety education to schools across Cleveland.
• League of American BicyclistscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational bicycling organization providing League Cycling Instructor (LCI) certification seminars, Bicycle Friendly Community designation program, education resources, and bike safety video content. Bike Cleveland hosts LCI certification seminars in Cleveland.
• NEO Families for Safe StreetscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChapter of national Families for Safe Streets organization. Group for people who have lost loved ones or been injured in crashes. Works collaboratively to end traffic violence through advocacy for changes in laws, enforcement, street design, and public attitudes.
• Heights Bicycle CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal chapter of Bike Cleveland serving Cleveland Heights and surrounding areas. Uses firsthand knowledge of neighborhood to identify local bicycle and pedestrian issues and advocate for local solutions.
• Cleveland Department of AgingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner for Silver Spokes senior cycling program, established in 2018. Program includes bike safety education and demonstration rides for older adults interested in cycling.
• Ohio City Bicycle CooperativeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit, volunteer-driven cooperative bicycle education center offering riding and repair classes, refurbished bikes for sale or rent, and public shop use. Referenced as education partner for bike maintenance classes.
• Village Bicycle Co-opminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit teaching bike repair and safe riding classes, offering refurbished bikes for sale. Referenced as education partner.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Rails-to-Trails Conservancy: National nonprofit advocating for active transportation networks, with a Bike Cleveland board member also serving on its board. Comparable as a rail-trail and active-transportation advocacy organization with similar funding model (foundation grants, memberships, events).
• Transportation Alternatives: New York City-based advocacy organization for walking, biking, and public transit. Comparable mission around safe streets, Vision Zero, and equitable transportation with deeper resources and broader urban focus.
• PeopleForBikes: National cycling advocacy and industry coalition. Directly comparable as a bicycling advocacy organization working on infrastructure policy, federal funding, and industry partnerships at a broader geographic scope than Bike Cleveland.
• Los Angeles Bicycle Coalition: LA-based cycling advocacy nonprofit with similar programs around policy advocacy, education, and community organizing. Operates at a larger scale but with directly comparable mission and activities.
• Cascade Bicycle Club: Pacific Northwest regional cycling advocacy nonprofit with similar mission, membership model, education programs, and signature ride events (e.g., Seattle to Portland). Directly comparable in scale and structure to Bike Cleveland.
• Boston Cyclists Union: Boston-area cycling advocacy nonprofit with comparable focus on infrastructure improvements, education classes, and Vision Zero-aligned safety work. Similar operational structure to Bike Cleveland.
• Bike Pittsburgh: Regional cycling advocacy nonprofit serving the Pittsburgh area with similar programs around infrastructure advocacy, education, and community organizing. Closest peer by mission, geography type, and operational model.
• Walk Bike Nashville: Nashville-area advocacy nonprofit focused on walking and biking infrastructure with similar programs around policy work, community engagement, and education.

Broad incumbents

• League of American Bicyclists: National bicycling advocacy organization and Bike Cleveland's primary national partner. Comparable as the leading U.S. cycling advocacy voice, providing Bicycle Friendly Community designation and League Cycling Instructor certification that Bike Cleveland hosts locally.

Emerging players

• Bike Denton: Smaller-scale regional cycling advocacy organization in Denton, Texas with similar focus on community organizing, education, and infrastructure advocacy. Useful peer for understanding grassroots cycling nonprofit operations at smaller scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Bike_CLE
• Facebookfacebook.com/bikecleveland
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bike-cleveland
• Instagraminstagram.com/bike_cle

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Bike Cleveland