Atlanta to launch $1 million e-bike rebate scheme

Atlanta City Council has voted to allocate US$1 million to an e-bike rebate programme that seeks to increase access for residents who might find cost a barrier to purchasing.

Three-quarters of the funds will be allocated to residents who earn up to US$54,000 per year, with rebates of US$1,500 for a standard e-bike and US$2,000 for a cargo e-bike available.

All other residents will be eligible for rebates of US$500 for a standard e-bike and US$1,000 for a cargo e-bike.

The programme is a partnership between the City of Atlanta, which provided funding, the Atlanta Regional Commission, which will administer the scheme, and Propel ATL, an organisation focused on safe streets that will conduct outreach and connect residents to the funding opportunity.

“This groundbreaking e-bike rebate programme holds transformational potential for the city of Atlanta and the entire region,” said Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens.

“The programme will help reduce the number of vehicles on our roads, clean our air, and provide a cost-effective way for people to get around town.”

While the cost of e-bikes can range from US$400-US$10,000, the majority of basic models can be bought for US$1,000-US$2,000.

‘Gamechanger’

Rebates are expected to be available from spring this year, and applicants must be aged 18 and over.

About 800 to 1,000 e-bikes are expected to be purchased through the rebate programme.

“E-bikes are truly a gamechanger, giving people access to an affordable transportation option for short trips that would otherwise require a car,” said Anna Roach, Executive Director & CEO of the Atlanta Regional Commission.

“The Atlanta e-bike rebate programme brings e-bikes within reach of anyone, regardless of income or ZIP code.”

According to the Commission, the average metro Atlanta resident spends more than US$11,000 a year on transportation expenses, such as fuel and maintenance for cars.

It also estimates that the annual cost of electricity to power an e-bike in the city is less than US$15.

US trend

E-bike incentive programmes have been launched in several US cities including Denver, Tampa, Washington D.C. and Austin.

Denver’s scheme has put 7,600 e-bikes on the road and reduced vehicle miles travelled by about 165,000 per week, avoiding about 3,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year.

In September 2023, Washington D.C. approved a scheme to provide rebates for e-bikes, e-cargo bikes, maintenance, accessibility modifications, bike locks and replacement batteries, with vouchers ranging from US$75 for bike locks to US$2,000 for an e-bike.

Image: kbo-bike-unsplash