Denver Taking New Applications for Wildly Popular E-Bike Rebate Program

Writing in Westword, Conor McCormick-Cavanagh describes the success of Denver’s recent e-bike rebate program. Through the program, “Any resident could qualify for $400, and people with more limited incomes could get a $1,200 rebate. For those interested in cargo e-bikes, which have storage capacity that can handle even Costco runs, an additional $500 was available.”

The program was so popular that “By May 11, CASR had stopped accepting applications because it had already received 3,250 for a three-year program budgeted at $3 million for the first year.” But there’s hope for those who haven’t applied yet: “since fewer than 1,000 of those rebates have been paid out so far (they’re only good for two months), CASR will again accept applications starting July 11, with 2,000 available.”

According to the article, “CASR was particularly pleased with the high number of applications for the larger, income-based rebate. To qualify, applicants must show that they’re enrolled in some type of welfare assistance, like food stamps, or that they have a household income below 80 percent of the area median income.”

Colorado is a pioneer on the e-bike front, McCormick-Cavanagh writes. “In 2009, Colorado became one of the first states to define and legalize e-bikes. And then in 2017, the state further refined its classification system, which affects where e-bikes can be used.” The article features Denver residents who have purchased e-bikes using the city rebate, local bike shops who have benefited from the e-bike boom, as well as the author’s own quest to find their perfect e-bike. After the first ride, McCormick-Cavanagh writes, “I’m hooked.”