Bikeforce program

BikeForce is a workforce development program for high school students and young adults based in the North Lawndale neighborhood of Chicago. The apprenticeship program focuses on emerging transportation technologies, such as electric vehicles, e-bikes, e-scooters, battery systems, and electric motors. Program members will gain necessary skillsets that have the potential to lead to educational and living-wage job opportunities in related fields.

The bikeforce program will

  • Educate North Lawndale’s low-income residents about the availability of the Mobility Opportunities Fund and the benefits and practicalities of travel by e-vehicles, bikes and e-cargo bikes

  • Enable a cutting edge curriculum that will position 30 North Lawndale youth annually to be market viable within the transportation revolution, when so often they are directly and intentionally excluded

  • Implement high-quality training through dynamic and local instructors to deeply engage North Lawndale youth in meaningful ways

  • Promote youth-led, innovative entrepreneurial projects which will impact the community in locally sustainable ways, when said opportunities rarely are accessed by our youth

  • Facilitate mentorship and other networking opportunities to build the leadership skills of our youth as they gain exposure and access to industry leaders like SRAM, BOSCH and LVFT/DIVVY

  • Engage youth with high-end equipment needed for cutting edge apprenticeship in the emerging electric vehicle repair and maintenance sectors

    upcoming cohorts (2023/2024)

  • 12-week cohorts for Fall 2023 and Winter 2024

  • 6-week cohort for Summer 2024

  • North Lawndale Youth ages 15 to 19 are eligible to join

  • Nominal stipend will be provided

  • Contact bikeforce@equiticity.org for more information

If you’re interested in joining the BikeForce Program, please fill out the interest form below