At 11 a.m. on the final Wednesday of February, Denver initiated the first application window of the year for its e-bike rebate program. The program offers residents upfront rebates ranging from $300 to $1,400 for a battery-powered bicycle. Within just three minutes, all the vouchers for low and moderate-income applicants were claimed. By 11:08 a.m., the rebates for all other applicants were also taken, leading to the closure of the portal.
Even in its third year, Denver’s initiative to encourage residents to swap driving for riding e-bikes remains highly popular. Mike Salisbury, the city’s transportation energy lead, expressed excitement at the community’s interest in this technology. He noted that converting trips to e-bikes would be a significant climate victory, as transportation is a major source of carbon emissions.
Denver has allocated more than $7.5 million over two years to provide e-bike vouchers, supporting the purchase of nearly 8,000 battery-powered bicycles. These e-bikes can reach speeds of up to 28 mph, navigate hills effortlessly, and carry passengers or cargo. The city’s efforts have resulted in savings of 170,000 car trip miles per week and around 3,300 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually.
The city’s Climate Protection Fund, funded by a voter-approved $40 million initiative, is responsible for directing a portion of the sales tax towards decarbonization projects like the e-bike rebate program. Income-based rebates are offered at designated bike shops, making it more accessible for residents to afford e-bikes that typically start at $1,200. Rebates range from $300 to $1,400 depending on income levels.
In addition to reducing emissions, Denver’s e-bike program aims to address short vehicle trips, which make up a significant portion of emissions in the transportation sector. Commuters like Jeff Gonzales have benefited from the program, using e-bikes for daily trips and contributing to reductions in car usage.
Overall, e-bikes offer a promising solution for reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable transportation. While some studies question the cost-effectiveness of e-bike incentive programs, Denver remains committed to finding multiple strategies to tackle emissions and encourage residents to adopt greener modes of transportation.
