Heather Cordova, a participant in a Pedal Ahead program, begins her bike commute from downtown San Diego to Chula Vista, Jan. 24, 2024. (Zoë Meyers/inewsource) 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 […]
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