Why this matters
Pedal Ahead, a San Diego-based program, is set to receive millions of dollars in additional public funding to distribute e-bikes to lower-income residents.
California officials will finally launch their e-bike program for low-income residents after a nearly two-year delay.
The state will start accepting applications for its California E-Bike Incentive Project beginning at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18.
It will process applications in the order received “until vouchers are exhausted,” according to a news release. About $3 million in vouchers will be offered to help fund as many as 1,500 e-bikes, with additional rounds expected in the future.
To be eligible for the state’s program, applicants must earn an annual household income below 300% of the federal poverty level. For example, a person living alone earning $43,740 or less per year or a household of three earning $74,580 or less per year could qualify.
Residents must also be at least 18 years old to apply for a voucher to get an e-bike from a program-selected retailer, such as a local bike shop. Participants must commit to owning the bike for at least a year and complete surveys about their experience.
The approval process may take 60 days. Once approved, those eligible will be notified and can redeem the voucher from retailers at the point of purchase of up to $2,000.
E-bikes are battery-assisted bicycles, which help cyclists travel longer distances and could reduce the number of motorists on the roads.
California Air Resources Board, or CARB, set aside a $10 million grant to San Diego–based nonprofit Pedal Ahead to administer the program. The group had launched a “loan-to-own” program in San Diego County prior to being awarded the state grant, but as inewsource reported, only a small portion of participants met the mileage requirements to keep their bikes.
Others reported far fewer miles than required — or none at all. The program also did not use the income requirement, which allowed people who didn’t meet low-income criteria to get a bike.
A CARB spokesperson previously told inewsource the program’s launch was delayed because the state needed more time to organize with retailers and community groups.
The state had a soft launch of the program across the state, including in San Diego’s Barrio Logan neighborhood and with some tribal governments.
For more information on how to apply for the California E-Bike Incentive Project, click here.
Type of Content
Brief: An account of a public government proceeding, written and edited by the San Diego Documenters.
News: Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
