Funding from California's Environmental Protection Agency to put zero-emissions car sharing programs into disadvantaged communities met with strong interest last year. Now the agency is expanding the program, with the opportunity for bike shares.
Expanded and new bike sharing programs may be coming to disadvantaged communities around California, as the State seeks ways to further introduce zero-emissions mobility options. Josh Cohen of Next City reports that an increase in funding from Cal-EPA's Air Resources Board (ARB) this year will now offer cities around the state the opportunity to apply for bike sharing projects. Previously, the funds had gone only to car sharing projects.
“For about a year now we’ve been advocating for bikes to be included in ARB’s clean vehicle subsidy and incentive bucket,” says Jeanie Ward-Waller, California Bicycle Coalition’s policy director. “We’re glad to see bike-share pop up in the funding plan.”
Ward-Waller says she expects the funds will be used to expand existing bike-share systems into low-income communities, help subsidize low-income memberships or even get a new system off the ground.
The CA Bicycle Coalition also hopes that the new funding can be put toward electric bikes. E-bikes, Ward-Weller points out, would better serve communities that are more spread out. If ARB gets the go ahead for the funding from the State Legislature, they hope to begin taking applications beginning this fall.
FULL STORY: Electric Bikes Figure Into California’s Zero Emissions Goals
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