Denver Evaluates Success of E-Bike Rebate

Denver’s $4.8 million e-bike rebate program, which has proven so popular the city could barely keep applications open, is helping get thousands of residents out of their cars, reports Ian Duncan in the Washington Post.

“Denver’s program has two tiers, with one that offers $400 to any city resident — an amount aimed at sweetening the deal for would-be buyers. For low-income residents, the second tier increases the voucher size to $1,200, a sum city officials say should make the bikes more widely affordable.” The city also offers a $500 credit for cargo bikes.

The program is on pause until next year, but the city is evaluating the results of its first phase. “A city survey found new e-bike riders were riding, on average, 26.2 miles per week, and that low-income buyers were riding about 32 miles per week. Respondents said they had replaced 3.4 car trips each week with bike rides.”