Sacramento Area Bike Advocates just launched an innovative solution to a problem many local cyclists know well: debris clogging our city’s bike lanes. Meet Crunch and Munch, two e-bike-powered cleaners operated by trained volunteers. The equipment consists of e-bikes towing roller-brush trailers that sweep leaves, dirt, and other debris into collection bins, keeping lanes clear and safe. The project received $13,000 in funding from SMUD’s Shine grant program, which has supported over 200 nonprofits across Sacramento County since its inception.
According to Deb Banks, Director of Policy and Advocacy at SABA, maintaining clean bike lanes is both a safety and comfort issue for cyclists. The real challenge arrives in fall, when Sacramento’s beautiful tree canopy drops all at once, potentially covering lanes with leaves. That’s when Crunch and Munch will be working overtime. SMUD’s Sustainable Communities program manager Kevin Burdick highlighted how this effort brings volunteers together while advancing the region’s carbon reduction goals. More cyclists on the road means fewer cars—a win for congestion, air quality, and community safety.
If you’re involved with a Sacramento-area nonprofit and have a community problem you’d like to solve, SMUD’s Shine grant applications are being accepted through July 31, 2026. Have you spotted Crunch and Munch in action yet, or do you have a suggestion for other bike lane improvements in Sacramento?
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Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
