WASHINGTON — A D.C. councilmember wants to provide the opportunity for residents to go greener and adopt a safer transportation option.
Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto introduced a bill to create a rebate program that would reimburse residents who buy an electric bike from certified business enterprises in the District.
“The E-BIKE Act is aimed at reducing cost-barriers that prevent residents from purchasing an electric bike while supporting small business owners here in DC,” said Councilmember Pinto. “As we continue to invest in our protected bike lane network, this legislation is crucial to ensuring as many residents as possible can benefit from this expanded infrastructure.”
Residents would have to submit an application, proof of residency, and proof of household income to be eligible for the program. Residents who earn 80% or more of the median family income can receive an instant rebate of up to $400, or 30% of the bike's purchase price - whichever is lower - or $500 for cargo electric bicycle models.
A higher rebate - up to $1,200, or 75% of the price e-bike of the bike - would be available to residents whose earnings are below 80% of the median family income. At least half of the rebates would be reserved for residents in that group.
More than 3,000 instant rebates would be available to residents and at least 500 instant rebates to CBEs to purchase and use each fiscal year under The Electric Incentive Bicycle Kickstarting the Environment (E-BIKE) Act of 2023.
“Electric bikes are an environmentally friendly way to more easily get around the city,” Pinto said. “Reductions in traffic congestion and pollution mean we all benefit from getting more residents onto bikes – the rebate program provides an additional opportunity and incentive for residents to make this choice,” Pinto said.
The bill was co-introduced by Councilmembers Charles Allen, Brianne Nadeau, Robert White, Janeese Lewis George, Matthew Frumin, and Vincent Gray.