SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California wants to help people get out of their cars and into greener modes of transportation as the state transitions to a zero-emissions future.
To help with the transition, the state has launched an e-bike incentive program to help low-income Californians purchase e-bikes.
Vouchers will be available in a two-tier system based on income. People earning a gross annual income less than 300% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) would be eligible for a $1,750 voucher.
People earning below 225% of the FPL or living in certain low-income communities will receive a $2,000 voucher.
Kendra Ramsey with the California Bicycle Coalition says the total is about $31 million. About $3 million will be distributed amongst 1,500 vouchers during the first application window.
Applications are on a first-come, first-served basis, with specific funding set aside for those in need. Applications will open Dec. 18 at 6 p.m.
Ramsey encourages people to sign on right at 6 p.m. in order to access the application as soon as possible.
“It will be like buying Taylor Swift tickets,” she said.
Once their application is approved, they will receive the voucher. However, a voucher cannot reimburse purchases. All purchases must also be made through participating retail shops. The program’s locator tool can help people find a shop.
Vouchers must be used within 45 days, but people can also request an extension of 45 additional days.
Vouchers can be used to purchase class 1, 2, and 3 e-bikes. All three classes are bikes with pedals but have different top speeds.
People can also use the vouchers to buy bicycle accessories like helmets, but they must be purchased at the same time as purchasing the bikes.
Participants would need to own the bikes for at least one year. If they get rid of the bike, they would have to pay back a portion of the funds unless the bike was stolen, had major mechanical issues or was damaged in a car accident.
Dan McElroy, manager of Trek Bicycle Sacramento in Midtown, sees the new program as a benefit for his store and the city.
“[Sacramento] is a congested city with lots of cars and difficult to park,” McElroy said.
He’s excited about this new program to help lower-income families access quality e-bikes.
“[It’s] a great way for people who need transportation but can’t afford to go the car route,” McElroy said.
He adds his store offers three to four different e-bike models within the $1,700-$2,000 range, which the voucher could fully cover.
The first window opens Dec. 18th at 6 p.m. Future application windows will open about every three or four months, until funding runs out.
Applications can be found here: Apply - California E-Bike Incentive Project.
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