Ebike

From StreetsBlog.org

Curious how much carbon — and cash — you and your neighbors could save if your government went big on electric bikes? Now you can find out.

By Kea Wilson

Advocates and local transportation leaders can now find out exactly how much their community could gain by encouraging residents to swap car trips for e-bike rides — and how much bang for their buck they’re likely to get if they adopt purchase incentives like Denver’s blockbuster rebate program.

With the help of the new “E-Bike Impact Calculator” from the Colorado-based sustainability nonprofit RMI, anyone with an internet connection and a copy of Microsoft Excel can find out exactly how much money, pollution, and electricity their community might save if leaders leveraged good e-bike policy to achieve even modest mode shift goals.

RMI Senior Associate Bryn Grunwald said she created the tool because “people were sleeping on how awesome e-bikes are at the climate level,” and quickly found that the collective benefits were even more significant than she’d realized.

“[E-bikes are] often talked about more at the individualized scale,” she said. “Personally I experienced myself saving money [from riding one]; personally, I experienced myself having a better connection to my city. … But I wanted to give them good numbers, because there’s a lot of people who can’t imagine themselves biking, and really scoff at the idea that it could be good for the climate.”

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From SierraClub.org

By Zoe Reckas & Chance Cutrano

What is an e-bike, and why are they everywhere?
Electric bicycles, or e-bikes, have been on a meteoric rise since 2020 as pandemic restrictions encouraged more people to get on bikes and as more affordable options became available. But what exactly is an e-bike? Simply put, an e-bike is a type of bicycle that gives the rider a helping hand via an electric motor and battery. This can be useful for a variety of reasons and allows people of all ages, abilities, and skill levels to get around in an efficient, affordable, and sustainable way. They’re a heck of a lot of fun, too!

How are e-bikes changing the way we get around?
The most effective way to reduce emissions in the transportation sector is to get people out of their cars, which isn’t easy. Bus stops can be difficult to walk to, public transit schedules aren’t always convenient, and some commutes are just a few miles too long for a “traditional” bicycle. E-bikes help remove many of these barriers to car-free transportation. With the help of an electric motor, that extra mile or two doesn’t seem so daunting, the hills are barely noticeable, the commute is faster than on a pedal bike, there’s no need to change out of sweaty clothes, and the weight of your grocery haul isn’t so concerning. Additionally, e-bikes are a more welcoming option for those who are unable to ride a traditional bike due to age or health concerns. And with more financial incentive and rebate programs emerging for e-bikes, particularly for low-income households, the cost barrier is becoming more manageable for many.

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From BikeRadar.com

The bill would provide tax credit on new electric bikes under $8,000

By Stan Portus

Federal lawmakers in the USA have reintroduced a bill that would give you a tax break on the purchase of a new electric bike.

The Electric Bike Incentive Kickstart for the Environment (E-BIKE) Act would cover 30 per cent of the cost of an electric bike, up to $1,500.

The refundable tax credit would apply to new ebikes under $8,000, which is double the $4,000 cap proposed in president Joe Biden’s scrapped Build Back Better campaign.

The bill would provide the maximum credit of $1,500 to people with incomes up to $150,000 for a single filer or $300,000 for a joint filer.

Cycling UK has urged the UK government to follow the USA’s lead, stating subsidies are a cost-effective way to maximise the carbon-reducing potential of ebikes.

Photo by KBO Bike on Unsplash

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