VICTORY: E-bike Incentives for the District.

Thanks to you, the City Council has made e-bike incentives a reality in Washington, D.C.

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Cooperative Action Network

Biking in the District just got better.

E-bikes are increasingly popular for people looking to commute to work, run errands, or enjoy the outdoors without needing a car. But more people of all income levels should be able to access and enjoy this form of low-carbon transport.

In September 2023, the City Council passed B25-0115, a robust point-of-sale incentive program where customers will receive rebates between $75 and $2000 to District residents who buy qualifying e-bikes, e-bike accessories like bike locks and replacement batteries, or annual e-bike maintenance. Rebates increase for the purchase of e-cargo bikes that carry passengers or large loads. In addition, the program includes provisions to expand access to e-bikes in Wards 7 and 8 so all people living in the city can enjoy the benefits of e-bikes. This win affirms Washington, D.C. as a national leader in expanding electric bicycle access for all.

Take action today by thanking your City Councilor for supporting e-bike incentives in the District.

B25-0115 - the Electric Bicycle Rebate Program Amendment Act of 2023 was introduced by Councilmembers Charles Allen, Brianne Nadeau, Brooke Pinto, Kenyan R. McDuffie, Zachary Parker, Vincent Gray, Janeese Lewis George, Matthew Frumin and Robert C. White. The resolution establishes a Electric Bicycle Rebate Program within the District’s Department of Transportation to program provides rebates between $75 and $2000 to District residents who buy qualifying e-bikes, e-cargo bikes, e-bike accessories, or annual e-bike maintenance.

The bill establishes a robust point-of-sale purchase incentive where customers receive a rebate of $1,000 (or $2,000 if they are a preferred applicant earning under 60% of area median income). Those amounts increase by $250 and $500 respectively for the purchase of an electric cargo bike meant to carry passengers or large loads. The bill also allocates funding for rebates on bike locks, e-bike components, and qualifying replacement batteries. Finally, the program may also include partial funding subsidies for retailers to train repair workers and open retail locations in Ward 7 or 8. The program includes provisions to expand access to e-bikes Ward 7 or 8 in order to expand access to e-bikes for all people living in the city.

Read the bill text on the Council of the District of Columbia's website here.

More about the bill from the Council Office of Racial Equity (CORE) here.