The City of Atlanta is joining with the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) on an e-bike rebate program aiming to increase adoption of the congestion-reducing and air-quality improving electric bicycles. The Atlanta City Council approved a $1 million funding measure for the rebate program, reserving 75 percent of the rebates for moderate to low-income individuals.
“This groundbreaking e-bike rebate program holds transformational potential for the City of Atlanta and the entire region,” said Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, who also has just recently taken the reins as ARC Board Chair. “The program 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.”
For those earning less than $54,000 a year – about 80 percent of the region’s median household income – the rebate will be $1,500 for a standard e-bike and $2,000 for a cargo e-bike. Residents that do not qualify via income can still receive $500 for the standard e-bike and $1,000 for the cargo variety. The program is expected to start in the spring and is limited to Atlanta residents over the age of 18.
“E-bikes are truly a game-changer, 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 program brings e-bikes within reach of anyone, regardless of income or ZIP code.”
With the current $1 million funding, somewhere between 800 and 1,000 bikes are expected to be purchased through the program. Atlanta is the third city in the southeast to offer e-bike rebates, following Tampa and Raleigh. Available bikes through the program generally have ranges of 20 to 50 miles, with speeds up to 20 mph. A fully depleted e-bike battery takes somewhere between 3.5 to 6 hours to charge, easily accomplished by those who might wish to use it for their commute in the city. It is unlikely an e-bike could fully replace a car but according to data from ARC, average spending on transportation expenses (like fuel and maintenance) is $11,000. An e-bike costs about $20 worth of electricity to charge for a year.
“E-bikes offer a meaningful solution to many of our city’s transportation challenges, particularly for people who are burdened by the high cost of owning a car,” said Rebecca Serna, Executive Director of Propel ATL. “E-bikes increase access to transit by making it easier and faster to reach a train station or bus stop. And a cargo e-bike can be used to haul kids safely to school or run errands, making it possible for a family to own just one car.”
If successful, the city could expand the program. Denver’s $3 million rebate program has added more than 7,500 bikes to the road and reduced car miles traveled by 165,000 per week and 3,000 metrics tons of carbon dioxide emissions.
That expansion may not come for some time though so for those wishing to take advantage of the program try and purchase soon.
