A new white paper lays the groundwork for better e-bike incentive programs.

Kea Wilson reports for Streetsblog USA:
In a new white paper from Portland State University, researchers looked at more than 70 current, former, and upcoming efforts to subsidize the use of electric bicycles in the U.S. and Canada, and how those local programs might have an even bigger impact in the future — and eventually, win more funding at the local, state, and federal level.
As explained by Wilson, e-bike incentive programs can take many forms, such as rebates, vouchers, tax credits, and lending libraries. Many of these programs are already in place around the country. Denver’s e-bike rebate program, launched in April, is already proving popular. Los Angeles launched a Universal Basic Mobility program in April that included a lending library.
The benefits of e-bike incentive programs are measured in Vehicle Miles Traveled and Greenhouse Gas Emissions. “Early research has shown that 62 percent of North American e-bike trips replace a journey that would have otherwise been taken in a car, and access to e-bike share alone can reduce a city residents’ automobile mileage by 20 percent,” according to Wilson.
John MacArthur, sustainable transportation manager for the Transportation Research and Education Center at PSU, is quoted in the article describing the need to better make the case for the community benefits of e-bike adoption. To fulfill some of that purpose, MacArthur created an “e-bike incentive program tracker to see how the details of those North American programs stack up, followed by interviews with many of those programs’ administrators,” reports Wilson.
More findings from the white paper and the tracker can be found at the source article below.
FULL STORY: We Need More — And Better — E-Bike Incentive Programs Across America

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie