Atlanta — Jan 08, 2024
The City of Atlanta and the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) announced today that they are partnering to offer an e-bike rebate program designed to provide affordable transportation options for moderate and low-income individuals, reduce congestion, and improve air quality.
The Atlanta City Council on Jan. 8 approved a measure to invest $1 million to establish the e-bike rebate program, which will be administered by ARC. The program reserves 75% of rebates for income-eligible individuals earning at or below 80% of the Atlanta region’s median household income, or about $54,000 a year.
“This groundbreaking e-bike rebate program holds transformational potential for the City of Atlanta and the entire region,” said ARC Board Chair Andre Dickens, who also serves as Mayor of the City of Atlanta. “The program will help reduce the number of vehicles on our roads, clean our air, and provide a cost-effective way for people to get around town.”
Income qualified residents are eligible to receive a $1,500 rebate for a standard e-bike and $2,000 for a cargo e-bike. Rebates for other residents are $500 for a standard e-bike and $1,000 for a cargo e-bike.
Rebates are expected to be available starting in spring 2024. Applicants must be City of Atlanta residents aged 18 and older. Rebates will be issued on a quarterly basis and may be redeemed at participating retailers located in the City of Atlanta.
“E-bikes are truly a game-changer, giving people access to an affordable transportation option for short trips that would otherwise require a car,” said Anna Roach, Executive Director & CEO of the Atlanta Regional Commission. “The Atlanta e-bike rebate program brings e-bikes within reach of anyone, regardless of income or ZIP code.”
About 800 to 1,000 e-bikes are expected to be purchased through the rebate program. Rebates are limited to one per resident. More information is available at atlantaregional.org/ebikerebate.
Atlanta becomes the first city in Georgia to offer e-bike rebates and the third in the Southeast, joining Tampa, Fla. and Raleigh, N.C.
An e-bike is essentially a two- or three-wheeled bicycle that is equipped with a small, rechargeable battery-powered electric motor to assist while the rider pedals. Some models have throttles that can be used without pedaling up to 20 mph. Range varies anywhere from 20 miles to 50 miles or more per charge. A special license or registration is not required to operate.
Propel ATL, a nonprofit that advocates for safer bicycling and pedestrian infrastructure, will be conducting outreach to raise awareness of the e-bike rebate program, focusing on communities most in need.
“E-bikes offer a meaningful solution to many of our city’s transportation challenges, particularly for people who are burdened by the high cost of owning a car,” said Rebecca Serna, Executive Director of Propel ATL. “E-bikes increase access to transit by making it easier and faster to reach a train station or bus stop. And a cargo e-bike can be used to haul kids safely to school or run errands, making it possible for a family to own just one car.”
Atlanta City Council Member Matt Westmoreland said ARC’s involvement could pave the way for other jurisdictions in the Atlanta region to explore establishing their own programs.
“This program helps address twin challenges we have in Atlanta: Climate change and traffic congestion. This offers an incentive to encourage people to get out of their vehicles and do so in a climate-friendly way,” he said.
The average metro Atlanta resident spends more than $11,000 a year on transportation expenses, such as fuel and maintenance. The annual cost of electricity to power an e-bike is less than $15.
Successful e-bike incentive programs have been launched in cities such as Denver and Tampa, helping to reduce congestion, improve air quality, and improve access to this vital transportation option. Denver’s $3 million e-bike program, for example, has put 7,600 on e-bikes on the road and reduced vehicle miles traveled by about 165,000 per week, avoiding about 3,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year.
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The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) is the official planning agency for the 11-county Atlanta Region, including Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, and Rockdale counties as well as the City of Atlanta and 74 other cities. The Atlanta Regional Commission’s mission is to foster thriving communities for all within the Atlanta region through collaborative, data-informed planning and investments.
Contact Name: Paul Donsky
Contact Phone: 470-626-3869
Contact Email: pdonsky@atlantaregional.org
ARC’s Strategic Partners are committed to fostering collaborative regional approaches that improve quality of life in metro Atlanta. Their support elevates ARC leadership programs, research and events throughout the year. Learn more.
