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LISTEN: The goal of Atlanta’s first e-bike rebate program was to reduce transit costs and car dependency. Atlanta’s newest e-bike owners say that’s happening. GPB’s Amanda Andrews reports. Caption Atlanta Resident Frank George was one of the first people to cash in on the rebate program. Credit: Atlanta Regional Commission
Nearly 600 people were able to purchase e-bikes in Atlanta using rebates from the Atlanta Regional Commission’s program. The program was funded by a $1 million investment from Atlanta City Council.
Over 11,000 people applied for the limited rebates. Recipients were chosen through a random lottery. The ARC reports over 80% of the people selected were from low- or moderate-income households.
Bennett Foster works on Mobility Services for the Atlanta Regional Commission. He says their goal was to reduce car-dependence and save people money on costs like gas.“Half of all trips that we take in the region are less than 3 miles,” Foster said. “The purpose of these e-bikes was to gobble up those short trips and essentially replace those car trips with the e-bike, and that’s exactly what it’s doing.”The program partnered with 12 Atlanta bike shops to sell and repair the e-bikes generating 1.2 million dollars in bike sales.Michelle Dunbar is a co-owner at Clutch Bicycle Shop, one of shops partnering with the city. She said the program has been great for business and they want to see it expand.“We have seen an increase in customers coming to the shop and inquiring about e-bikes and not only in […]
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