So you’re thinking about becoming a WABA member? Or maybe you’re already a WABA member but you have some questions? Well, you have come to the right place to learn about what WABA membership means!
When you become a WABA member, your contribution goes a long way. It means more people on bikes, more advocating for trails and bike lanes, more learning about safe bicycling, and simply more having more fun on your bike. Your membership puts you in the forefront of our fight for a transportation system that works for everyone in the region.
Why become a WABA member?
Love going for a bike ride around the DC region? Want to get more involved in our community? Interested in learning how to ride a bicycle, or improving your skills? Most of all, do you want to get more people riding in the DMV, building more protected bike lanes and making our streets safer for everyone? If you answered yes to any of these questions, a WABA membership is for you! WABA’s mission is to empower people to ride bikes, build connections and transform places, and our vision is to work towards a just and sustainable transportation system where biking, walking, and transit are the best ways to get around.
What is the cost of a WABA membership, and what are the benefits?
The minimum contribution level for a WABA membership that includes benefits is a $60 donation, or $6/month, but beyond that the cost of a WABA membership is up to you! You get to choose, based on what you’re willing and able, how much you want your membership to be. Here’s the breakdown of our membership levels, with their price points and member benefits:
| Membership Level | Price Point | Benefits |
| Supporter | Less than a $60 donation or $6/month | Invites to member events + free classes |
| Standard Member | $60+ donation or $6/month | + 15% off WABA merch + a free flat fix and 10% off your first tune-up at Gearin’ Up + free bike box rentals + free cargo bike rentals |
| Sustainer | $120+ donation or $10/month | + WABA’s Annual T-Shirt + a WABA sticker |
| Activist | $300+ donation or $25/month | + WABA’s Annual Bike Jersey + WABA’s Annual Socks |
| Champion | $600+ donation or $50/month | + a free ride registrations to one of WABA’s Signature Rides for you and a guest of your choice |
| Superstar | $1,000+ donation or $83/month | + a custom WABA saddle bag + regular communication from WABA leadership |
| Changemaker | $5,000+ donation or $420/month | + a custom WABA raincoat + a meeting with WABA’s Executive Director |
What is the difference between membership dues and a donation to WABA?
Any one-time donation to WABA of $60 or more will get you WABA membership for a year, and any monthly donation of $6 or more will make you a member as long as it’s active. If you’d like to make a donation of less than $60 or $6/month, you’ll still be listed as one of our supporters, and will get invites to our member events like WABA’s Annual Member Meeting.
Can I deduct my donation(s) from my taxes?
Yes! You can deduct donations to WABA on your taxes. If you choose to opt into membership benefits, you will still be able to deduct your donation, just minus the value amount of the benefits you receive. A list of the different non-deductible amounts for the different levels is below. We’ll let you know on the donate page, and in a thank you email, how much of your contribution you can deduct. Everyone who gives more than once in a year will receive a donation summary for tax fillings at the start of the following year.
The following are the non-deductible amount for each membership level:
Supporter: $0
Standard: $60
Sustainer: $110
Activist: $250
Champion: $260
Changemaker: $390
Where can I get WABA merchandise?
Visit waba.org/store to get our merch! If you’re a member, you can get 15% off; just email us at membership@waba.org for the code. If you join at an Sustainer member level or up, you will have the option to receive complementary swag items (see more information at the membership levels section above).
Should I be a monthly donor or a one-time donor?
Monthly contributions are literally the gift that keeps on giving to WABA. Your recurring gift helps us plan for the future and weather the ebbs and flows of other revenue sources. That helps us best plan for the future, and we deeply appreciate a monthly gift if that works for you. If you choose to contribute monthly, we never ask for an additional gift and your membership will remain current for the duration of your gift plus one year.
If you prefer to make a one-time contribution (or on any other schedule), you will get membership for a year, and every donation will add a year to your membership.
Is there an option to gift a WABA membership?
Absolutely—WABA memberships make great gifts for any occasion! Send us an email at membership@waba.org and we will set it up for you!
What if I want to donate through my workplace or another 3rd party?
If it works best for you, it works for us! If you give to WABA through your workplace or a donor-advised fund, we will provide a complementary membership. If you have questions about other ways to give, email us at development@waba.org.
Can I donate/become a member via check?
Absolutely! Checks can be made payable to WABA and sent to 1110 Hamlin Street NE, Washington, DC 20017. If you’d like to opt into member benefits, like our bike jerseys, shirts, and socks, please indicate that on your donation. By default, all checks will be processed as 100% tax-deductible, giving you WABA membership but not necessarily all the benefits. To check if your membership level gets you merch, please refer to the membership chart above.
Can I become a member through an event registration?
Yes! When you register for any of WABA’s Signature Events, if you’re not already a member, you’ll automatically receive 6 months of membership.
Are lifetime memberships still available to purchase?
Lifetime memberships are no longer available at this time.
How can I get a physical membership card?
Members who join at the Standard Level or higher will have the option to receive a physical WABA membership card in the mail. If you missed the option to do that on the donate form, or changed your mind, you can email us at any time at membership@waba.org and ask for a membership card. The membership card will list when you joined, when your membership is up, and either your name or your family’s name, whichever you prefer.
What is a family membership?
When you join WABA at a Standard level or up, you have the option to add another adult and up to 4 additional children to your membership at no additional cost. You can do so by joining or renewing at this link, and selecting the family members you would like to add in the “Add Family Members” section. If your family, chosen or otherwise, doesn’t fit neatly in the form, let us know at membership@waba.org.
How do I check my membership status? I don’t see my login for my membership.
WABA doesn’t have a membership portal or login; you get all your benefits simply by being a member! If you’d like to check your membership status, visit waba.org/members, or email us a membership@waba.org
I signed up as an Activist Level Member, but the rates have changed. Do I have to change anything?
If you signed up as a monthly Activist member before September 2, 2026, you will be grandfathered in as an Activist WABA Member as long as your recurring donation remains active. If you’re you made a donation of $240+ before September 2026, you won’t lose your Activist Level Membership status. If you choose to renew your membership in the future, you will have to renew at the current rate for the level you’d like to be at.
I have questions about….
Advocacy—check out waba.org/action or email advocacy@waba.org
Adult + Youth Classes—check out waba.org/classes or email education@waba.org
Events—check out waba.org/fun or email event@waba.org
Business Membership—check out waba.org/business-membership/ or email business@waba.org
Anything else—email membership@waba.org; we’re alway happy to hear from you!
What if I’m….
An auto-renewing member: You’ll continue with your auto-renewing dues at the same amount until you change the amount or cancel (click here to do either). If you start a new recurring gift, you will have the option to designate it towards membership or full tax-deductibility.
A Life member: You remain a Life member and will receive Standard membership benefits. If you donate any amount, your Life membership will override any new membership level, though you’ll still be able to receive benefits appropriate for how much you donated.
A family member: When your family member renewed their membership, they gave you membership until the same day. If they later renewed without listing you as a family member, or have a recurring donation over 2 years old, your family membership may not automatically renew; please reach out to us at membership@waba.org and we can continue your family membership!
If you have questions, comments, thoughts, drop us a line at membership@waba.org. If you’re ready to sign up, head on over to waba.org/join!