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E-Bike Purchase Incentives FAQs

May 9, 2025/by Laura McCamy

California’s E-Bike Purchase Incentive Project is distributing vouchers in a series of application windows. We will post upcoming application windows here and on our e-bike campaign page.

Pedal Ahead, the administrator of this program for the California Air Resources Board (CARB), has published its own FAQs.

Note: We update these FAQs as new information becomes available. This post was originally published on October 19, 2022, and last updated May 9, 2025

The official website for California’s E-Bike Incentive Project is live at ebikeincentives.org. You can get more information about how to apply for an incentive at that site, and bicycle manufacturers and retailers can sign up to participate.

Important note and we can’t emphasize this enough: There are not enough e-bike vouchers for everyone who qualifies and wants a bike. Think of it like the lottery — some people will succeed in getting vouchers, but many more will not. If you meet the program requirements, you still have to get in line during an application window and submit an application — and not everyone who gets in line will make it through the application process. The program has a limited scope and budget that can’t meet the tremendous demand.

CalBike continues to advocate for additional funding for this hugely popular program.

TL;DR version:

The next application window will be May 29, 2025.
The program began distributing vouchers in December 2024. The April 29, 2025, application window was canceled and rescheduled due to technical issues that kept some people from accessing the waiting room.
More vouchers will be released in subsequent application windows.
The program is limited to California residents with income at or below 300% of the federal poverty level.
Applicants must be at least 18.
The voucher amount will be $1,750, with $250 additional for people below 225% FPL or living in a disadvantaged census tract.
Incentives are limited to one per person. There is no limit per household.
Demand continues to grow for this program, and there are a limited number of vouchers. Check out one of the many local e-bike incentive programs for more options. Visit our e-bike page for a full list.

What is California’s E-Bike Incentive Project?

The E-Bike Incentives Project is a program to provide vouchers to California residents to help them afford an e-bike. CalBike advocated for the budget allocation, which passed in 2021 and funds the pilot project. CARB has allocated additional funds for a total of $31 million, which will fund approximately 15,000 vouchers.

The California legislature hasn’t allocated ongoing funding for the program past the pilot, but CalBike will advocate for continued funding, and CARB appears committed to including e-bikes in its clean vehicle incentive programs.

When can I apply for a California e-bike incentive?

Vouchers will be released during limited application windows. We will post the dates of new application windows as soon as we know them. CARB usually announces application dates two to three weeks ahead of time.

I tried to apply for a voucher in the past. Did the system save my information?

No. You must start your application from scratch in each application window. Demand for this program is very high, so the administrator’s systems are unable to save information from people who haven’t yet been through the whole process.

What is the process to apply for a voucher from California’s statewide e-bike incentives program?

Be sure you have the required documentation and that you meet the income qualifications. The online waiting room will be open for an hour before the application window opens on Thursday, May 29, 2025, allowing everyone time to log on.

Important: Once you’re in the waiting room, do not close your browser window. Navigate to that window a few minutes before the deadline and do not leave.

Everyone who’s in the waiting room at the end of the hour during the next application window will receive a randomly assigned number generated by a software program. That designates your place in line.

This application window will distribute 1,000 vouchers. If you’re assigned a number of 2,000 or below, stay in line. Even if you’re over 1,000, you might get through if people ahead of you drop off. Once the required applications are completed, the portal will close.

If you apply for a voucher, the administrator will confirm your eligibility. Once your application is accepted, you’ll receive a code you can take to a participating e-bike retailer or online store. This process can take several weeks, so please be patient. The amount of your voucher will be applied to your purchase, which can include gear such as racks, a lock, or a helmet, in addition to the bike.

You can find more information about the application process in the implementation manual and you can also watch a webinar CalBike hosted to answer questions about the process.

What if I can’t apply online?

People who aren’t able to apply through the online portal may request a paper application from the administrator. Requests for paper applications will be randomized using the same system as the online portal, so people who want vouchers have the same chance of being able to apply by either method.

I meet all the qualifications to get a voucher. Why can’t I get one?

We have heard from many people who are understandably disappointed and frustrated that they weren’t able to submit their application for an e-bike incentive during the most recent application window.

The reality is that CARB’s E-Bike Incentive Project is not like many of the other programs that benefit low-income Californians, where applicants who meet the program criteria are guaranteed the benefit. The e-bike program has limited funding and a limited number of vouchers to distribute. Applications are taken during designated windows on a first-come, first-served basis and not everyone will be able to apply for a voucher. For context: during the first application window in December of 2024, nearly 100,000 people got in line for 1,500 vouchers.

CalBike continues to advocate for more funding for this program, but many people who want vouchers will not get them. However, there are many local e-bike incentive programs where you might have a better chance of getting assistance to buy an electric bike.

I signed up on the mailing list. Am I in line to get a voucher?

No. The only way to apply for an e-bike voucher is by going to https://www.ebikeincentives.org/apply/ during a designated application period. There is no waitlist for this program.

Joining the mailing list for the E-Bike Incentive Project or CalBike’s mailing list will give you timely updates on the program, but it has no impact on your application status.

Will there be more e-bike incentives, or is this a one-time program?

The current plan envisions several application windows to distribute the $31 million currently available.

How long does it take to apply for an e-bike incentive?

The online application process takes about 20-30 minutes. In addition, you might have to wait in line to access the application portal. During the first application window, people waited in line for up to 45 minutes. Being in line doesn’t guarantee that you’ll get to submit an application.

If you do get to submit your application, you can make the process faster by:

Having all your paperwork handy. You can find a list of documents to prove eligibility here. Have scans of the documents you’re using to prove eligibility or take a photo with your phone.
Watch the required e-bike safety and climate impact videos ahead of time. The safety video is 12 minutes long and the climate video is five minutes. Pre-watching will allow you to simply check those boxes and complete your application in about 10 minutes.

You don’t need to know what bike you want to purchase before you apply for the voucher. You will have 45 days to select and purchase your bike. If you need more time, you can request a 45-day extension.

I submitted an application. When will I get my voucher?

People who submitted applications should allow up to 60 days to receive their vouchers. Once your application is approved, you will receive an email with a voucher code you can take to a bike shop or online retailer to apply to the purchase of an e-bike.

The administrator will contact you if your application is missing any items needed for approval. If that happens, you must respond within 14 days to preserve your application reservation.

What are the requirements to apply for an e-bike incentive?

You will have to prove income eligibility and California residency.

Other requirements:

Be at least 18 years old
Purchase the bike within 45 days of incentive award with the option to extend for an additional 45 days
Own the bike for one year
Take a 12-minute bike safety education class online

Can more than one person in the same household apply for an e-bike voucher?

Yes.

Individuals can only get one voucher each, but there is no limit to how many people from the same household can apply as long as each person qualifies.

Who qualifies for the California e-bike incentive program?

Eligibility for the pilot program will be limited to people whose income is less than 300% of the federal poverty level. That means the income caps (based on 2024 FPL guidelines) would be:

Individual: $45,180
Family of 2: $61,320
Family of 3: $77,460
Family of 4: $93,600
Family of 5: $109,740

How much will the California e-bike incentives be?

The base incentive will be $1,750 for all types of e-bikes. The program will offer an additional $250 to people living below 225% of the federal poverty level or living in a disadvantaged community. The maximum incentive is $2,000.

Can I stack the California e-bike incentive with other e-bike incentives or rebates?

Yes.

If you qualify for a California voucher and an e-bike incentive from a local government, utility, transportation agency, or other entity, you may use both incentives toward the purchase of the same e-bike. This is called stacking. Some local programs are planning to work in tandem with the statewide incentives while others might not allow stacking; ask your local provider for more information.

What kinds of bikes qualify for incentives?

You can use the incentive to buy any type of e-bike, including a folding bike, cargo bike, or adaptive bike. All three classes of e-bikes will be eligible for the program. However, you will need to purchase from a list of approved e-bike models. You must purchase a bike with UL or EN safety certification.

E-bikes are grouped into three classes:

Class 1: pedal assist only, 20 mph speed limited — will qualify for the program
Class 2: pedal assist or throttle, 20 mph speed limited — will qualify for the program
Class 3: pedal assist only, 28 mph speed limited, helmets required, must be 16 or older to operate — likely to qualify for the program

Note: Only bicycles that include pedals, fall into one of these three classifications, and are offered by an approved retailer qualify for the incentive program. Other forms of electric mobility, such as scooters and mopeds, are not included.

Why isn’t the e-bike model I want on the approved list?

The list of approved e-bike models is not a definitive list of all e-bikes that might qualify for the California program. A manufacturer or retailer must apply to have a model added to the list. Further, not all e-bike brands meet the requirement to have a business location in California.

If you want to see a particular e-bike model added to the list, contact the manufacturer or a local retailer that carries it and ask them to apply to the program. The incentive program continues to add new e-bike models to the list.

Where can I buy an e-bike with a CARB incentive?

The program administrator has a list of qualifying bike retailers. You can buy from a bike shop or order an e-bike online. All e-bikes in the program must come fully assembled, you online retailers must provide assembly.

Do I have to know what bike I want before I apply for an incentive?

No. People who receive vouchers have 45 days to buy a bike. If you can’t make the purchase in that time, you can apply for an extension and get an additional 45 days. You must request the extension — it isn’t automatic.

Can I buy an e-bike online with a voucher?

Yes. The list of qualifying bike retailers includes online e-bike retailers.

However, we recommend visiting a bike shop and test-riding e-bikes if possible. All bikes are not the same. It’s important to get a bike with a frame that fits you and that you feel comfortable riding. A bike shop can help you with this.

What if I have to return my bike?

You are allowed to exchange a bicycle bought with an e-bike incentive. However, the voucher doesn’t cover the cost of return shipping for bikes purchased online. That’s why we recommend test-riding bikes before you make a purchase, if at all possible.

What qualifies as an adaptive bike?

CARB wants to keep the definition of adaptive bike as inclusive as possible. The category will most likely include tricycles and bikes modified for people with disabilities.

Can I use an e-bike incentive to buy a conversion kit?

No. A conversion kit allows you to add aftermarket electric power to a standard bike frame. Conversion kits are not eligible for incentives.

Can I get a rebate on an e-bike I already purchased?

No. The Electric Bicycle Incentives Project is not a rebate program. You need to apply and get approved before you purchase a bike in order to use the incentive.

If you recently bought an e-bike, you might qualify for a rebate from a local program such as 511ContraCosta. Check the list on our e-bike page and ask your local utility about rebates. In addition, if the E-BIKE Act passes Congress, you might be eligible for a federal tax credit.

Can I buy bike accessories to go with my bike?

Yes. If you are awarded an incentive through the California program and your bike purchase, including sales tax, is less than the amount of your voucher, you can buy gear for your ride with the remaining balance. Approved purchases include racks, helmets, reflective vests, and locks.

If I don’t get a voucher in December, when can I try again?

CARB has not set a date for the next round of e-bike incentives. We will let you know as soon as we have that information.

Can I get an e-bike voucher from CalBike?

No.

CalBike is not administering the e-bike incentives program. Our role is one of advocacy. We advocated for the creation of this purchase incentive, and we will continue to push for an expanded budget to support the program. CalBike also shares critical information about the program via our e-bike newsletter, and we help our member’s voices be heard so that the program better serves the people who need it most. CalBike does not process or distribute incentives.

CARB will manage the incentive distribution process through its third-party administrator starting in 2023. We will share information about how to apply once it’s available, but CalBike won’t be involved in processing applications or awarding e-bike incentive vouchers.

Where else can I get assistance to buy an e-bike in California?

The E-Bike Incentives Project is California’s first statewide e-bike voucher program. However, there are many regional and local programs where you might be able to get funding to help you buy an e-bike now.

SB 400, which CalBike helped pass in 2019, added an e-bike benefit to the Clean Cars for All program, which aims to take polluting cars off the road. If you have a qualifying car to turn in, incentives can be as high as $9,500, and you can use the funds to buy e-bikes and bike accessories for multiple family members. However, this program is administered by regional air quality management districts, and not all districts have added the e-bike benefit. We spoke to people who got this voucher in the Bay Area and Southern California to give you an idea of the process. Find out more details about the Bay Area program on this handy reference page.

In addition, there are numerous local programs through nonprofit organizations, utilities, and other entities. You can find many California programs on this list of global e-bike incentive programs.

Why can’t I get an incentive to buy a non-electric bike?

Excellent question. The current program covers only electric bike purchases, not standard or acoustic bikes. Electric bikes tend to be significantly more expensive than traditional bikes, so a purchase incentive may be the only way for many people to afford one. In addition, many people who don’t feel comfortable riding a standard bike because of age, health issues, the need to carry passengers or cargo, etc., may replace car trips with bike trips on an electric bike.

However, the classic bicycle is incredibly energy-efficient and elegant transportation, and some places do offer incentives to help residents buy non-motorized bicycles. For example, the French government is offering 400 Euros to citizens who trade their cars for a bike or e-bike. CalBike would love to see a program like this in California, and we will continue to explore ways to encourage more people to choose the joy of riding a bike.

How do I purchase a bike with an incentive?

The statewide incentive will be a point-of-sale benefit. Once you pick out a bike from a qualifying retailer, the incentive amount will be applied when you make the purchase. You don’t have to put out that money up front and get reimbursed.

I’m an e-bike retailer or manufacturer. How can I participate in the program?

Retailers can apply online through the program website. Qualifying retailers must have some kind of physical presence in California (a shop, office, or manufacturing facility), even if you sell your bikes exclusively online, and can only sell eligible models through the program. It’s not too late for retailers to participate.

Manufacturers with e-bike models that meet the program’s specifications can also get their bikes added to the list of eligible bikes. Please contact the administrator for information on how to apply.

Is California’s statewide program an expansion of the San Diego e-bike program?

No. Some press reports stated that California’s statewide purchase incentive was an expansion of a similar program in San Diego. This is incorrect.

CARB chose Pedal Ahead, an organization that runs an e-bike program in San Diego, to administer the statewide program. However, the CARB purchase incentives pilot will have rules and parameters determined by CARB in conjunction with input from advocates and the public. The statewide program is separate from and different from the San Diego program.

How do I get more information about the e-bike incentive program?

Have we mentioned that CalBike has an e-bike incentives interest list? Use the form below to add your name, and we’ll send periodic updates as we get more information, including letting you know when you can apply.

You can also sign up for CARB’s e-bike email list to get information directly from CARB or sign up for the E-Bike Incentives Project email list.

How to Get a Replace Your Ride E-Bike Voucher in Southern California

September 26, 2022/by Laura McCamy

CalBike recently reported on the experience of Berkeley resident Vicki Davis, who received an e-bike voucher from the Clean Cars for All program, administered by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, in December 2021. While it took some time, the process was relatively smooth for Davis to receive a $7,500 voucher in exchange for turning in an old car.

Since this program is administered by each of the regional air quality management districts, the process to get an e-bike voucher is different depending on where you live. For a different perspective, we spoke with Misch Anderson, a Pasadena resident who got a voucher through the Southern California Air Quality Management District Replace Your Ride program.

About Replace Your Ride

In 2019, CalBike helped pass a bill that added e-bikes to a program that lets people turn in older gas-powered cars in exchange for money to help buy an electric vehicle. The regional air quality management districts administer the program in each region. Because of that and because of the pandemic, the e-bike voucher program rollout has been slow and uneven.

When Misch Anderson decided to get rid of her 1996 Honda Civic in 2020, she knew about SB 400 and turned to the SCAQMD Replace Your Ride program instead of selling it. The process was a journey that took her more than two years.

“I could easily have sold that car for — I don’t even know how much money,” she says. “It would have been a lot easier than this program.” But she persevered because she wanted the program to work for her and others. Here’s what it took.

Part 1: There’s no e-bike voucher option

Anderson started investigating Replace Your Ride in May 2020 and submitted her application in July. She didn’t see an e-bike incentive listed on the website when she applied. Still, she knew e-bikes had been added to the program, so she asked about it and was told it wasn’t available yet because of California Air Resources Board funding cycles.

Because of technical issues on both sides, it took Anderson until October 2020 to submit all her documents. She was frustrated by how hard the process was to navigate. “I felt like these are the kinds of barriers I overcame,” she says, “but it’s not fair to expect the audience for this program to work around them.” (The program is aimed at low-income Californians who earn 400% of the federal poverty level or less.)

It took several months before she was assigned a case manager — probably delayed by the pandemic disruptions to people’s work routines. Once she got the case manager, she was able to resolve her paperwork issues.

The next issue was with her car: It needed to pass smog to qualify, so she needed to deal with a hole in the tailpipe. She had the impression that she should be able to get everything done and qualify for the program in about three months, but the timeline kept stretching out.

She reached out to a friend at the local bike coalition, ActiveSGV, who connected her with a bike-friendly board member. That board member emailed other board members and staff on her behalf. “Otherwise, I think my file might still be at the bottom of somebody’s desk in finance,” she says.

Anderson kept asking about an e-bike option during the process and was told it would come in a few months. By the time she successfully handed over her car in February 2021, there was still no e-bike voucher option in the SCAQMD program, so she opted for transit credit with her $7,500 voucher.

Part 2: The transit option shrinks

After she surrendered her vehicle, Anderson got a credit card that she could use to pay for transit. But, she says, “By that time, it turned out that the transit options I was planning on using the card for no longer qualified.”

She hoped to use the money to pay for ridesharing apps, but rideshare was no longer part of the program. Next, she decided to use the credit for car sharing through Zipcar, but her prepaid debit card didn’t work in Zipcar’s system. Anderson took the issue to Replace Your Ride staffers, who tried to work it out but failed. And because she started but never finished the application, Zipcar banned Anderson from the service for life.

The card worked for another carshare program, but it was only available in the LA metro area, too far from Pasadena, and it would take a very long time to use her credit for bus rides.

“This transit option is so limited as to be not very useful for me,” she says, “and certainly not the option I had hoped for and was promised in the beginning.”

Anderson kept inquiring if the e-bike option was available. When it still wasn’t listed by January of 2022, she decided to take action to get SCAQMD moving.

Part 3: Activism opens the e-bike option at SCAQMD

ActiveSGV had administered a local e-bike incentive program, and Anderson offered to connect them with Replace Your Ride for technical assistance. When she’d gotten no response to her emails by early 2022, she turned to a supportive member of the air district board for help, and he suggested she come in person to the next board meeting.

“I got up, and I basically said the Replace Your Ride Program is doing a great job of putting more cars on the road, but it’s totally failing to steer anybody toward transit and e-bikes,” Anderson recalls.

The board member asked staff to prepare a response, and, 10 minutes later, she was outside the meeting room, talking with someone in charge and being offered a spot in a pilot program for an e-bike voucher. Anderson was one of two people in the program in the spring of 2022.

The next step was to transfer her funds so she could use them for a bike rather than transit, find a bike shop participating in the program, and shop for an e-bike.

Part 4: After more than two years, a new e-bike!

Anderson picked out a Tern SPlus and got the bike shop to order it, but the bureaucratic holdups continued. She and the other person in the pilot program had both purchased bikes through the same shop, but they couldn’t pick them up until the shop completed paperwork, sent it to SCAQMD, and got a check in return.

“The bike shop ended up having to hang onto both our bikes and all our accessories, which was over $10,000 of inventory, for over six weeks,” Anderson says, noting the burden that the delay placed on the shop: “You’re asking these mostly small independent bike shops to hang onto thousands of dollars of inventory without getting paid.”

She used the balance on her $7,500 voucher (she had used some on transit tickets) for her e-bike and accessories. She’s nicknamed her Tern the E-Bike Wonder or Blueberry, and she’s having a blast riding it. “It’s fast enough to get to nearby places efficiently,” Anderson says, “but not so fast that I can’t enjoy the neighborhood as I’m passing through,” adding that she’s lucky to live in a pretty town.

“Fun doesn’t get talked about enough. We talk about benefits to our health, environment, finances, etc., and those are all well and good, but what really motivates me to get on my bike instead of into my car is that I just want to have more fun in my day.” — Misch Anderson

The Replace Your Ride program has only a tiny reference to e-bikes, and Anderson notes that “you have to be a lot in the know” to apply. She feels the program’s website should focus on transportation alternatives rather than EVs. “There is not another human being in Southern California that needs to be sold on cars,” she says. She noted that SCAQMD has hired a new staffer for the program and future applications who want an e-bike voucher might have an easier process than she did.

And Anderson is doing her part to spread the word. SCAQMD recently invited her to bring her bike to an event promoting EVs, and she told us via email, “My e-bike STOLE THE SHOW. Seriously. I barely had it unloaded (the event was far, so I had to drive it in a friend’s SUV) when people were asking about it. I let people ride it around, people of all ages, and they all pulled up looking so HAPPY!”

How to Get a Clean Cars for All E-Bike Voucher in the Bay Area

September 1, 2022/by Laura McCamy

During a recent meeting of the CARB Electric Bicycle Incentives Work Group, the comments made it evident that there are lots of Californians trying to figure out how to get help to afford an e-bike. The incentives program, which CalBike helped pass last year, will provide vouchers to low-income Californians for an e-bike purchase. When it comes online in early 2023, it will offer incentives of $750 to $1,500 toward an e-bike purchase.

However, if you don’t want to wait and you have an old car you’re ready to get rid of, you may qualify for a considerably higher voucher to buy e-bikes for multiple family members. A few years ago, CalBike got the Clean Cars for All program to include vouchers to purchase an e-bike as one of the options (the program offers incentives of up to $9,500 toward an electric car for people who turn in an older, gas-powered vehicle).

It’s not straightforward to figure out how to get a Clean Cars e-bike voucher, and each local air management district administers its own program, so there may be regional differences. We spoke with Berkeley resident Vicki Davis about her experience getting a voucher and a new e-bike through the program administered by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD).

An e-bike that solves two problems

Vicki Davis and daughters — Vicki Davis with daughters Lyra (on back of bike) and Holly

During the pandemic, Davis’ older daughter went on bike rides with her dad for her PE requirement. Davis couldn’t join them because she has asthma and other health issues that would make it hard for her to keep up. Plus, she didn’t have a bike. Her younger daughter hasn’t learned to ride, so the two of them were stuck at home while the other half of their family had all the fun.

Her family had another problem: A 2000 Camry, her husband’s old car, with an unreliable battery. “Over the pandemic, he really got into biking and was using his car less and less,” she says, “and we would get tickets almost every month for street sweeping.”

The Clean Cars for All program solved both problems. Davis was able to take the Camry off the road, and, in return, the program gave her a voucher to buy one or more e-bikes. “We got $7,500, which is more than we could have gotten [for the Camry] had we sold it,” she says. She and her husband don’t have to worry about parking tickets, registration, or getting the car to pass smog. And Davis has a brand new Rad Runner Plus that allows her to keep up with her husband and older daughter and take her younger child for a ride on the back.

Here are the basics of the Clean Cars for All e-bike voucher program, including the timing and tips from Davis on navigating the process.

Step 1: Have an eligible car to trade and meet eligibility requirements

To qualify for a Clean Cars for All voucher, you must meet the program’s eligibility requirements. In the Bay Area, that includes living in an eligible zip code, meeting the income requirement (income within 400% of the Federal Poverty Level), owning a car that falls within the program parameters, and being a first-time applicant to the program.

The car must be drivable to qualify. Davis’ Camry had 180,000 miles on it and was in decent condition, but she was happy to scrap it. “It was basically like paying rent to have it parked on our street,” she says.

Step 2: Fill out lots of paperwork

“The very first step is preapproving that you can even apply,” Davis says. That part of the process was quick.

Once she was preapproved, she could submit paperwork proving her income and ownership of the car. The website was not mobile-friendly, which presented an extra challenge.

When her husband found out about the program through a post on Twitter, he didn’t believe it was real, but he sent her the information, and she submitted the application because they were desperate to get rid of their second car. It took so long for her to hear back from BAAQMD that she figured it wasn’t real or the program had run out of money, but she finally got approved.

She submitted paperwork through an online portal where she could check her application status and can now check the balance on her voucher and get purchases approved.

Pro Tip: Davis notes that the program promotes itself as a subsidy to buy an EV, and it’s harder to find the e-bike option. In the Bay Area, that option is listed under Mobility Options, which includes a grant for transit passes. When you choose what kind of voucher you want, it looks like you’re opting for a transit pass — the e-bike grant is in small print.

Step 3: Get the car inspected at a salvage yard.

“I think a lot of the delays were me, to be honest,” Davis says. It took her a while to complete the many steps of the process, and, she adds, scrapping the car was a whole second chore that she hadn’t bargained on. She had to get the battery working to drive the vehicle to the salvage yard for inspection.

There was an issue with the yard sending her documents through to the Clean Cars program, and getting the information sent again was a big hassle. Her tip: “Keep copies of things. Follow up.”

Step 4: Wait.

Davis found out she was eligible to apply for a Clean Cars voucher in March of 2021. She submitted her paperwork in April. Her status changed to Under Review in July and Approved in November.

Step 5: Take the car back to be junked.

After she was approved, Davis took her car to be junked in November. It took a few more weeks for the grant to come through; she got her voucher in late December of 2021.

Step 6: Buy your new e-bike, accessories, and more

Davis bought a Rad Runner Plus Class 2 e-bike for about $2,100, including tax and accessories. “The thing I really like about the one I got is that it has a seat on the back for my younger daughter,” she says.

She chose the Rad Runner even though her voucher would have enabled her to get a more expensive e-bike because it fit her style better. She likes having the throttle option so she can keep going if she gets too tired.

The voucher is on a pre-loaded credit card, and Davis can submit what she wants to buy beforehand to get it pre-approved or approved after the purchase. She must load receipts for each purchase and show that it’s related to her e-bike. When she needed an extension cord for charging and bought a milk crate for an inexpensive basket, she had to load photos of the items in use since they weren’t classified as bike accessories.

With the $4,600 she has left, she can buy e-bikes for other family members, and she’s going to see if she can get a bike rack to put her e-bike on the back of the family car. She also has the option to convert the balance into money for transit passes. The program gives her up to three years to spend the funds.

Step 7: Ride everywhere and have a blast!

Davis is having a great time riding her new e-bike with her husband and kids. “We rode over the Bay Bridge, which was so exciting,” she says. She’s been taking her younger daughter to and from school by bike and riding alongside her older daughter to Berkeley High.

“Even though it’s an electric bike and I use the assist, I am getting exercise,” Davis says. Some of the things she loves about being able to bike now include “going places where we don’t have to worry about parking” and “not having to stress about my second car.” She’s getting less nervous about riding and expanding her comfort zone; she recently did her first ride in the dark.

If you think you might qualify for the Clean Cars for All program and would like an e-bike voucher, check the program webpages for information on where to apply in your region. And you can out more details about the Bay Area program on this handy reference page.

CalBike Supporters Make Big Impression at CARB E-Bike Work Group Meeting

August 26, 2022/by Laura McCamy

On August 24, 200 people showed up for a Work Group Meeting for the Electric Bicycle Incentives Project held by the California Air Resources Board. It was a big turnout for a meeting held during the workday on a Wednesday afternoon. But it’s not surprising considering the tremendous interest in the program (CalBike’s interest list for the program has more than 6,600 people — scroll down to sign up).

The meeting included a lot of great feedback and some breaking news: the announcement of the program administrator. Here’s what happened and what’s next for the e-bike incentives program.

CalBike supporters make a strong showing

CalBike had little notice of this meeting, and it became clear that CARB isn’t used to its programs receiving so much interest and input from the public. The facilitators were overwhelmed by the number of comments and questions; at one point, 50 people were waiting to speak.

A big thank you to everyone who could participate in a meeting during the workday with little advance notice. We must keep the pressure on CARB to be more transparent and take more public input. Many commenters mentioned CalBike, which strengthens our position to negotiate on your behalf to create a robust and successful program.

There will be a follow-up to the August 24 meeting because there wasn’t time to take everyone’s comments. Even if you registered to attend that meeting, you won’t automatically get notified about the follow-up and future meetings. Please subscribe to CARB’s e-bike mailing list to learn about e-bike work group meetings. And sign CalBike’s e-bike list to get the latest updates and learn how you can get involved.

Program basics revealed

At the meeting, the outlines of the program became clear, though it’s not clear whether public input could change some of the details.

CARB’s current program specs:

To qualify for the incentive program, participants’ household income is capped at 400% of the federal poverty level (FPL). That’s $51,000 for a single person and $106,000 for a family of four.
Vouchers will be up to $750 for a regular e-bike and up to $1,500 for a cargo or adaptive e-bike. People whose income is under 225% FPL or who live in disadvantaged communities qualify for additional incentives.
The program will support the purchase of Class 1 (up to 20 mph, pedal assist only) and Class 2 (up to 20 mph, pedal assist and throttle) e-bikes. Class 3 (up to 28 mph, pedal assist only) will be excluded.
Participants must purchase a bike from a California bike shop or online from a company with a business location in California.

The program will launch in the first quarter of 2023. The law creating the program specified a start date of July 1, 2022, but, as a CARB administrator explained at the meeting, one to two years is the minimum needed to launch a brand new program at a state agency.

View CARB’s presentation.

Most of the discussion at the meeting centered on the income caps. In California, 55% of the population (about 21 million people) makes less than 400% of the FPL and would qualify for e-bike incentives under the current program. The income caps match those of other clean vehicle programs administered by the Air Resources Board (Clean Vehicle Rebate Project and Clean Cars for All).

The program has $10 million in funding, which may cover an estimated 7,000 e-bike vouchers at the proposed funding levels. For perspective, CalBike’s interest list for the program currently has more than 6,600 people on it — almost enough to fill the whole program if everyone qualified.

Several people on the call expressed interest in getting help to buy an e-bike but said they wouldn’t qualify under the proposed income caps. Commenters were divided between wanting the incentives to go only to low-income households and advocating for some portion of the money to be made available to higher-income people.

E-Bike incentives administrator named

The standalone e-bike incentive program will be administered by a third party, with a single application process for all Californians. That will make the program easier to access.

E-bike vouchers through the Clean Cars for All program, which CalBike helped pass, took a long time to roll out (partly due to pandemic delays) and aren’t uniformly available. Regional air resources boards were tasked with adding e-bike vouchers to their program; some regions have the program up and running while others don’t.

CARB was considering three nonprofits to administer the program and announced during the work group meeting that it has chosen Pedal Ahead, based in San Diego. Pedal Ahead has run a local e-bike program in San Diego since 2020. Streetsblog’s article about the meeting has more background on the chosen administrator.

Next steps: second meeting, CalBike follow-up

CARB has posted a recording of the August 24 work group meeting (see below). It had already planned another work group meeting for later in the fall but will add another meeting because there was too little time to get to the public comment at the August meeting. If you can’t attend a meeting or weren’t able to comment at the last meeting, you can email feedback to the CARB at CleanTransportationIncentives@arb.ca.gov.

CalBike is following up on the meeting with a technical letter to CARB to advocate for a robust program, and we will meet with CARB staff in the coming months to help guide the program launch. Our main goal is for this first year to be an instant success, showing Sacramento that the $10 million allocated for the pilot is just a start and that e-bike subsidies should be an annual budget item. In future years, we hope to see most of the funds set aside for low-income Californians but some help provided for middle-income residents.

We’ll need your help to keep up the pressure.

Video of the August 24, 2002 CARB Electric Bicycle Incentives Project Work Group Meeting

Update: E-Bike Voucher Program Moving Forward — Slowly

July 15, 2022/by Jared Sanchez

When the legislature allocated $10 million for e-bike subsidies in the budget for this fiscal year, it included language stating that the program would launch on July 1, 2022. However, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) has moved more slowly, so the program is not yet ready to launch. Here’s what we do and don’t know about California’s statewide e-bike voucher program.

What’s the current status of the e-bike voucher program?

CARB is working on selecting a vendor to administer the program. We expect the agency to announce the vendor soon.

When will e-bike vouchers become available?

It’s not clear yet how soon the program will begin offering vouchers for e-bike purchases. Once a program administrator is in place, we hope to start getting more information, including a timeline for implementation.

What is CalBike’s role in the e-bike voucher program?

CalBike advocated for the $10 million budget allocation to help Californians buy e-bikes. We continue to follow the program closely and work with CARB to ensure that the vendor administers the program effectively and equitably.

CalBike doesn’t have any authority to set the rules of the e-bike program or give out vouchers. Our role as an outside watchdog allows us to advocate for things that will make the program successful, such as providing large enough grants to make an e-bike truly affordable.

CalBike will also continue to spread the word about e-bike vouchers, particularly once they become available so that the program is a success and we can have a much larger budget allocation next year!

Who is eligible for an e-bike voucher?

The eligibility criteria haven’t been firmly established. Still, early indications are that there will be an income eligibility requirement, with all or most of the first $10 million in funding going to low-income California residents.

We hope to get more information about eligibility once the vendor outlines an implementation plan, and we will share that information once we have it.

How much will the e-bike subsidies be?

The program administrator will set e-bike subsidy levels.

How do I apply for an e-bike purchase voucher?

There’s no application process in place as yet; the program administrator will put that in place.

What if the e-bike program runs out of money?

If the e-bike program quickly distributes all its funds, that would demonstrate the demand for this subsidy, and we would consider that a success. CalBike will advocate for more funding in future budgets, and we hope the program will secure funding to continue without interruption.

How do I find out more about e-bike purchase incentives?

Please sign our list to get updates about the program. Going forward, we expect to send more frequent updates as the details of the e-bike voucher program unfold.

Making California’s E-Bike Affordability Program Successful

February 9, 2022/by Kevin Claxton

Thanks to support from our members, CalBike won a $10 million appropriation in this year’s budget to help Californians purchase electric bikes. The California Air Resources Board will administer the program, which must be operating by July of 2022.

The program will distribute vouchers to people who meet income eligibility requirements. The CARB will release a Request for Proposals to implement the program in the next couple of months, detailing important goals and specifications to shape voucher distribution.

CalBike is working with CARB to help ensure that the implementation meets CalBike’s objectives for this program. Here’s what we know so far.

Which types of e-bikes are eligible for the voucher program?

“Electric bicycles eligible for the incentives include, but are not limited to, those designed for people with disabilities; utility bicycles for carrying equipment or passengers, including children; and folding bicycles.”

Who will be eligible for e-bike purchase incentives?

The Air Resources Board has signaled its intent to restrict eligibility to low-income households (defined as households with income less than four times the federal poverty level, or $51,520 for an individual, or $106,000 for a family of four). The income restriction is not required by law, and CARB’s electric vehicle incentive program doesn’t include any income requirements.

CalBike and the more than 50 organizations that supported the program advocated for at least 80% of the funds to go to low-income households. We wanted 20% of the vouchers available to middle-income families to allow for broader funding distribution. Plus, it would have recognized that, like EVs, e-bikes are a civic good, and the state wants to encourage people to choose this form of transportation.

CalBike supports this initial round of funding going exclusively to disadvantaged people. However, it will take more than a grant to make the program successful. The upfront cost of a quality e-bike will be out of reach for most low-income people, even with a hefty subsidy. To ensure that everyone can access this incentive, we want the program to include an arrangement with a lender to will provide low- or zero-interest loans to buyers so that they can pay for an e-bike in installments.

The role of community-based organizations

A bike purchase incentive program differs from an electric vehicle incentive program because many potential recipients don’t already recognize how a bike could improve their lives. Everyone (almost) wants a car and would welcome a purchase subsidy, but the same is not true for bikes.

That’s why CalBike sees an essential role for nonprofits in distributing the funds. If community organizations serving low-income people are able to make extremely low-cost e-bikes available to their constituencies, they can engage and educate about how to use the bike to replace car trips. A nonprofit can also provide bike safety information and classes, so grant recipients are confident to ride their e-bikes for transportation. With this support, the e-bike suddenly becomes a viable transportation choice and the subsidy a critical lifeline.

Community-based organizations can also help identify the people who would benefit most from a low-cost e-bike and help spread the word among their constituencies. Plus, they can assist with the paperwork to apply for the grants, and they might be able to combine this subsidy with other funding sources to make bikes truly affordable. These groups can also provide feedback to evaluate the impact of the e-bike affordability program.

The impact of $10M for e-bikes

If designed and administered well, California’s new e-bike affordability program could have an impact far beyond the lives of the people who will be able to buy e-bikes.

First, if CARB successfully markets the program, it will increase awareness of biking as a viable and green transportation option. That, we hope, will create demand to expand the program and increase the funding available to help people buy bikes. And the incentives will put thousands more bicycles on our streets, which will raise the visibility of biking, increase the pressure to build safe bikeways, and encourage more people to hop on a bike. Plus, up to 10% of the funding in this program may be used for bicycle education, so it’s a great opportunity to build skills and confidence for more riders.

We’ll keep you informed when there’s more to know about the e-bike affordability program. Sign up below to be the first to know when the e-bike vouchers become available.

CalBike’s E-Bike Subsidy Program Will Change Lives

December 15, 2021/by Laura McCamy

Erin Shannon’s work as a project administrator for a general contractor takes her to project sites or to the main office, which means a commute from Oakland to San Francisco or South San Francisco. “I had to drive to and from. That was an hour or hour and a half to get there and up to three hours to get home,” she says. “It was not okay.” Taking transit wasn’t any better, particularly since part of the commute would involve tricky timing to catch a shuttle. Her health suffered. “I was absolutely miserable,” she recalls.

Three things happened to change Shannon’s life. “I had one of my best friends pass away and it made me want to change my life, to live,” she says. “Then I met someone.” Her new friend was a “heavy-duty bicyclist.” So, when her car got totaled, her friend helped her use the insurance money to buy an e-bike. He set up her bike so it is really comfortable to ride.

With the e-bike, Shannon was able to change her commute from being stuck in traffic to riding to and from public transit. “I had been really depressed before I started moving so much,” she says. “I feel healthier, mentally as well as physically.”

CalBike’s long campaign for e-bike purchase incentives

CalBike’s goal is to create a healthier and more equitable California by making biking accessible to more people. We do that by advocating for state funding for bikeways and changes to laws and regulations to create safer streets. E-bikes, because they make the life-changing joy of bicycling accessible to a wider range of people, are a vital part of that strategy.

“Electric bikes make biking a viable transportation choice for a broader range of people,” says Dave Snyder, CalBike’s executive director. “But, with the price of an average e-bike at $1,500 or more, many people need help to make that purchase. California gives incentives to help people buy EVs; it should do the same for e-bikes.”

In 2019, CalBike helped pass SB 400 (Umberg), which added e-bike vouchers to the Clean Cars 4 All program. The program, administered by the California Air Resources Board, allows lower-income Californians to trade in polluting automobiles and receive vouchers toward an EV purchase. And now, thanks to SB 400, you can get a voucher for an e-bike purchase. Check out the program on your local Air Quality Control Board website to get the specifics for your area.

However, the SB 400 roll-out was delayed by the pandemic in 2020. In addition, unlike the electric car vouchers, the bike program is restricted to low-income people, and you have to have a qualifying car to turn in. We knew we needed to do more.

E-bike subsidies work

Monica delaCruz used to get around San Diego on a bike she bought off craigslist or by arranging rides with friends. “I’m the type of person, I like to go out a lot, do arts things, political things,” she says. But she felt dependent on rides when she wanted to go further, so she ended up staying home more because it was too much effort to go out.

Buying an e-bike was not part of the plan for delaCruz because she assumed it was out of her price range. “I was not going to pay that much for a bike,” she says. But when she heard about a county program in San Diego that would give her an e-bike if she agreed to log her miles and share her trips, she jumped at the chance.

“I just feel like my radius around my house where I’m comfortable going for picking up dinner or meeting friends is bigger,” she says. “Weather doesn’t matter as much, terrain doesn’t matter as much.” She adds, “I feel like I’m way more connected to any place that I need to go in San Diego.”

One of the biggest changes was her commute to National City, which can take up to an hour with multiple transit connections. “Now, I can get to the more convenient transit station because I’m not worrying about going up and down the hill,” delaCruz says. She can take her e-bike on the trolley and ride to her office, cutting her commute down to 20 minutes.

She has also found solace on her bike. “Sometimes, in the middle of the day, if it’s not too hot, I’ll take a ride. For me it’s really relaxing,” she says. Some of her friends have e-bikes through the same program and they sometimes meet up and ride. “Now it’s more social and relaxed to go on a bike ride together when you’re not worried about being out of breath talking.”

Now, delaCruz would like to get another e-bike and a purchase incentive would make that much more possible for her.

With an electric boost, people ride more often and go farther by bike

As we ramped up our 2021 E-bike purchase incentive campaign, we asked CalBike members and supporters for their e-bike stories. Dozens of people wrote to tell us how an e-bike purchase had changed the way they get around.

The electric boost helps people keep riding through age or health issues. Some people turned to e-bikes to help them get up hills or ride with children. Many shared that their e-bikes turned long commutes into fun and doable rides and made running errands a breeze.

Brian Cox uses his e-bike for a 20-mile commute from Placentia to Irvine. “I am not a recreational cyclist,” he says. “I ride my bike because it’s a reason to get to work. It’s a total transportation alternative for me.” He started bike commuting in 2007 as a way to get outside and get more exercise. But the e-bike reduced his commute time each way by a third and enables him to ride five days a week instead of two.

Brian Cox e-bike — Brian Cox on his e-bike

He monitors his heart rate while he rides and finds it’s only 10 bpm less on the e-bike than on his classic bike. And studies have shown that riding e-bikes keep riders fit because they tend to ride longer distances and more often than they would have on a manual bike.

Cox rides a Class 3 e-bike with a top speed of 28 mph, which helps him feel safe sharing the road with cars. “They have a lot more opportunity to see me than if I’m going 10 and they’re going 40,” he says. “With people’s distractions, that little bit of time can be a lifesaver.”

As VP of Operations for Jax Bicycles, Cox didn’t have to buy his e-bike. It is his “company car,” owned by his employer, which also pays employees $3 a day for commuting to work by bike.

He has seen e-bike sales shoot up in the last five years at his stores. “My hope and dream is that people will start to recognize that they have an option to maybe ride their bicycle to work now that they’ve got an e-bike,” he says. He hopes that e-bike rebates will raise awareness about what’s possible.

Erin-Shannon-1 — Shannon encourages others to bike by posting her bike joy on Instagram.

Radical joy

In a huge victory for low-carbon transportation in California, CalBike secured $10 million in funding for e-bike purchase incentives. Unlike rebates or tax breaks, which require people to front the money for a purchase and get it back later, the program will give people credits that they can use to buy an e-bike. That makes the program useful and accessible to people who wouldn’t otherwise have the money to buy an e-bike.

When CARB launches the program in July 2022, it will put 10,000 or more new e-bikes on the road across California. Shannon and delaCruz give us a window into the impact that will have on people’s lives and their happiness.

“I think we need to change our idea about how we get from point a to point B,” delaCruz says. “This is how I get places. This is my form of transit.” She definitely rides more miles now that she has an e-bike.

She also thinks the e-bike revolution can change how we think about who bikes. “Everybody thinks of the bike commuter being the 2% body fat guy with lycra,” delaCruz says. “I’m fat, my friends are fat, and I’m seeing more people out with larger bodies. It’s beautiful. I love seeing it around town. And I love being seen too.” E-bikes take away the barrier of worrying about not being able to keep up on a bike or worrying about your fitness level.

Shannon uses her daily commute as a stress-reducer: “I’m outside, the wind is blowing through my hair, I can see birds. It’s pretty beautiful. I feel like Snow White or Mary Poppins,” she says. “I feel powerful when I’m on my bike. And free. And I hadn’t felt that in a long time. That’s pretty amazing.”

“It’s like you’re directly involved in life, instead of being in a little tube. It’s freedom, bottom line.”
– Erin Shannon

And she sees her e-bike as a wise investment. “This bike, when I got it, was the most expensive thing I’ve ever owned outright,” Shannon says. “It was terrifying. But then I thought about it and about how much less I would spend on gas in the car.” She adds, “And I feel like I’m contributing to the environment, not being one of those cars stuck in traffic.”

The benefits of CalBike’s e-bike program will extend beyond the people who will be able to afford new e-bikes. “More people experiencing their roads outside of their car can experience road safety in a different way,” delaCruz says. “I hope it brings safer roads for everybody.”

CalBike’s Snyder sees safety as a major benefit of the new e-bike affordability program. “We’ve seen data this year that shows there is safety in numbers for bike riders on the streets,” he says. “And we know that, when people see more e-bikes and see how much fun people are having, they’re going to want one too.” He’s also looking to the future. “Some European countries have recognized the importance of adding biking to the transportation mix with cash incentives for all types of bikes, or repairs or gear. We’d love to see California offer subsidies on every bike purchase, electric or classic.”

So look for more e-bikes—and more joy—on the road very soon.