By Kat Schuster / San Diego Patch / Dec 18 — 19, 2024
Applications for California’s e-bike incentive program opened this week to encourage residents to reduce their carbon footprint and improve their physical health.
The state is offering vouchers of up to $2,000 to go toward the purchase of a new electric bike and any accessories needed, such as a helmet and a bike lock.
E-bikes, equipped with electric motors to assist with pedaling, have become a popular choice for commuters looking to improve their health while reducing time spent in a vehicle. Because the rider still pedals, e-bikes offer physical activity benefits while also minimizing some of the challenges associated with commuting on a traditional bike.
The state is encouraging residents to consider a variety of e-bikes fit for different lifestyles. For families, cargo e-bikes may be a good option since the model allows riders to carry children, pick up groceries and perform other errands. Alternatively, an adaptive e-bike may be a good option for those who have physical limitations.
See a list of eligible e-bikes that the state is offering vouchers for here.
Applicants must be 18 or older and meet certain income requirements to get an incentive voucher toward a qualified e-bike.
Those who get the full amount will be applicants who have an annual household income below 225% of the federal poverty level or single adults who have an annual income of $33,885. Those who make less than 300% of the federal poverty level ($45,180 is the threshold) will be eligible for the base amount of $1,750.
Check your eligibility here. See which documents you’ll need to verify your income here.
Here’s what can be purchased with the voucher:
- Eligible e-bike.
- Accessories: Helmet, bike lock, racks and baskets, fenders, mirrors, reflective clothing, lights (if not equipped)
- Assembly and delivery fees.
- Any sales tax associated with eligible purchases.
Just a clarification, the bike rebate doesn’t come from Gavin Newsom, it comes from taxes and fees paid by Californians and then redistributed to others in the form of a brand new electric bike. It’s about redistribution of your hard earned income and vote buying, and not cleaning the air.
Waiting for the old curmudgeons to declare “E-BIKES ARE MOTORCYCLES”. That being said, I agree it’s more about vote being than it is any sincere attempt fight climate change.
Buying
If the State of California is offering $2,000 to E-riders, why not regular bike riders? Bike riders get better exercise and more health benifits than E-Bike rides. Bikes are better for the environment (they do not have batteries). How many kids who would ride bikes are now riding E-bikes?
Very few adolescents ride traditional bikes. This at least this gets them moving and gives them mobility. There should be some licensure for especially young riders.
E Bikes can be very dangerous in the hands of young people – teenagers for instance. I hope they provide some education regarding rules of the road. A friend of mine almost hit 3 of them when she exited and alley and they were on the wrong side of the street in her path.
Tasha’s newsletter from yesterday says, “The initial rollout of the program was so success that the website is no longer accepting applications.” I clicked on the “website” link in the email and it still looks like it is active….
Was it this link?
https://www.ebikeincentives.org/
Looks closed to me.
Thanks! Just didnt click enough! lol
If the politicians were truly interested in the climate, then mandate every single vehicle crossing the border every morning and evening three or four days a week or more. We also have a lot of residents who live here, but register their vehicles in states that don’t require smog certs. Those from MX, should be smogged at a smog station in the US side of the Border and so can those from another state, and keep their much cheaper Registration in their home of record. The state could issue an annual sticker, just like they do for the residents of CA. The UT about 4 yrs. ago said there were 139,000 vehicles crossing the Border every morning and evening. These vehicles are helping to destroy the streets/roads/freeways in San Diego County too and they contribute absolutely nothing. Except produce smog and if they’re buying Pemex gas in MX, the cars in stop and go traffic during commute times near by the Pemex burner can smell them. No smog fees, and no registration fees. Why do we residents have to pay for street maintenance, and all other drivers don’t, yet use what we provide, for free?
Thats a good plan But, thre is always a but, I seee teens on ebikes regularly coming down Voltaire on 1 wheel, running stop signs, and being very reckless. I really see them as accidents waiting to happen, just get them on a bike first, get them riding, an Ebike is just a motorcyle that goes a little slower and doesn’t make noise. I think ebikes are great I’ve been riding one for 6 yrs when I built one. I thought I would still ride my regular bike but I seldom got on it after being on an ebike. The good thing they get people out and excersing to some degree. But if they are not riding safely and just pusing the throttle its a crash in the making.
News on Saturday:
Californians still hoping to nab a state voucher to help pay for an e-bike this holiday season were met instead with seven unwelcome words: “We are no longer accepting incentive applications.”
That’s the message the California Air Resources Board had on its E-Bike Incentive Project webpage as of Friday after residents flooded the agency with applications, leaving and frustrated by the process.
The program began accepting online applications at 6 p.m. Wednesday. Within 45 minutes, the application window was closed after nearly 100,000 applications were submitted, according to the air resources board.
The truth of giving things of value away for free is that demand is insatiable.
There are people who can’t afford a car but who could benefit from owning an e-bike. It’s too bad that applicants can’t be vetted for need. Unfortunately many of these e-bike recipients will be laughing about their good fortune.