The effects of climate change — poor air quality, extreme temperatures, worse health outcomes — are disproportionately felt in predominantly Black and Brown neighborhoods. Through the Mobility Opportunities Fund, the nonprofit Equiticity is hoping to address those effects by charging up North Lawndale’s transportation options with stipends for climate-friendly transportation, such e-bikes, for qualified residents.

The fund, sponsored by ComEd, will provide stipends that help limited-income Black and Brown residents of North Lawndale purchase conventional bikes, e-bikes, e-cargo bikes and electric vehicles, in addition to providing low- or no-cost repairs.

“It prioritizes the needs of lower income residents and will provide incentives for active transportation such as bicycling,” said Remel Terry, Equiticity’s director of programs. “It also seeks to create the pathways to economic opportunity and close the mobility gap that we see oftentimes in North Lawndale by financially delivering these modes of transportations to residents who might not otherwise have access.”

Eligibility requirements and application information are available on Equiticity’s website.