San Francisco Invests in Electric Bikes

In this article, we will zoom in on a local effort in San Francisco to increase access to electric bikes. The program, named Electrify My Ride, was developed and rolled-out by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) and CleanPowerSF and offers nearly 25,000 eligible residents a $1,000 rebate toward the price of a new e-bike. Electrify My Ride was launched on February 5th and targets low-income residents living in underserved communities.

Leading up to the program launch, SFPUC General Manager Dennis Herrera spoke highly of the program, stating:

“We’re excited to offer this e-bike rebate, which supports our commitment to San Francisco’s climate goals and helps address transportation needs for underserved communities.” Many of the communities targeted by this program have experienced environmental degradation from industry coupled with limited public investment. “By making e-bikes more accessible through our rebate program,” Herrera added, “we’re breaking down economic barriers to clean, affordable transportation in underserved communities.” 

We at Cellvion believe this is a huge win for micromobility, and we are excited about the potential benefits of this initiative for several reasons:

Equity:

Financial assistance can help many residents invest in a safe, environmentally friendly transportation option they can rely on. Many of San Francisco’s most financially burdened residents rely on micromobility to navigate the city, and this program focuses its resources on many of the city’s Equity Priority Communities who have experienced disproportionate effects of climate change and environmental injustices.

Safety:

This program only applies to the sale of e-bikes with UL 2849 or EN 15194 certifications. E-bikes with these third-party certifications are tested and shown to be safe and reliable. Riders, retailers and property managers gain assurance knowing these bikes will last years and are safe to charge for hours at a time. We have all heard about lithium battery fires caused by unsafe e-bikes and e-scooters. Increasing access to better quality e-bikes is objectively safer for its users and the city’s infrastructure.

Economy:

Electrify My Ride is an investment in sustainable transportation and local business. Rebates can only be redeemed from select participating bicycle retailers with brick and mortar locations, so establishing a relationship with one of these local bike shops is important in maintaining equity in an e-bike investment. Many bike shops refuse to service e-bikes from unknown brands only found online, which can leave the user with limited support when their bike inevitably requires service, or little resale value when trying to sell an older model.

Sustainability:

Electrify My Ride is the city’s next step toward divesting from fossil fuels and making low-carbon vehicles the mode of transportation for 80% of trips in the city, one of the goals outlined by the city’s 2021 Climate Action Plan.

The Electrify My Ride campaign is not CleanPowerSF’s first attempt to help SF residents switch to electric transportation. In addition to Electrify My Ride, SFPUC and CleanPowerSF launched EV Charge SF in 2022, providing funding to install EV charging stations in eligible commercial and residential buildings. If you would like to learn more about Electrify My Ride, please visit CleanPowerSF and the SF Public Utility Commission.

The Big Picture

Zooming out from San Francisco, many states across the US have recently allocated funding and tax credits for e-bike purchases. These incentives provide communities with many direct and indirect benefits – from reducing vehicle emissions, car dependency and parking demand, to promoting equity in transportation and supporting the community’s most financially burdened.

For some, these programs are the perfect catalyst for a change in lifestyle away from cars and towards a more sustainable and active life. For those who live in cities, daily trips to work and school and weekly trips to the grocery store or park are only a short distance away, and with the right investment from city planners, e-bikes can be a safe and convenient alternative to cars for these activities. Additionally, e-bikes can offer riders with mobility challenges a chance to continue doing what they love – riding on two wheels.

To learn more about which incentives are available near you, please visit Portland State University’s e-bike incentive tracker, which covers the US and Canada or the ClimateAction Center’s global e-bike program list.