The City of Portland is on track to launch an electric bike subsidy program later this summer. It’s been nearly one year since BikePortland last checked in on the program, so I connected with city staff and heard a minor update this week.
To refresh your memory, the e-bike rebate program passed as part of the Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund’s (PCEF) Capital Investment Plan in June 2024. The plan is to use $20 million from that fund (which comes from a tax on large corporations) to support an estimated 6,000 new e-bike purchases over the next five years. In addition to helping Portlanders afford these new vehicles, the program will train mechanics and launch a program for e-bike parking and storage at multi-family apartment buildings.
According to Program Manager Seetha Ream-Rao, the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (BPS) has completed a competitive bid process for the vendor organization that will ultimately run the program. BPS is now working to get that vendor fully under contract. (They haven’t shared the name of the vendor, but I’ve asked and will update this post if/when I hear back.)
“It’s looking like we will have a soft launch of the e-bike program late summer/early fall and will do a full rollout early next year,” Ream-Rao shared with BikePortland Thursday. She also said that in the next several weeks BPS will be able to share more details about the program framework, eligibility requirements, and how the rebate process will work.
In related e-bike ownership news…
There’s also a statewide e-bike rebate program in the works in the form of House Bill 2963. As BikePortland reported late last month, its chief sponsor, Milwaukie-area House Rep. Mark Gamba, is likely going to add it to the larger transportation funding package currently being debated by lawmakers. If passed, the bill would set aside $5 million for Oregonians who receive government food assistance and make them eligible for a $1,200 e-bike purchase rebate.
This Saturday, The Street Trust will give 25 east Portland residents a brand new e-bike of their own. The bikes are delivered through TST’s Ride2Own program (also funded by PCEF). An event at Portland Community College SE Campus will feature TST Executive Director Sarah Iannarone, Rep. Gamba, and Nick Wood from Portland-based Vvolt Electric Mobility.
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My ability to lay out $$ allowed me to buy an ebike to commute to a new job that was beyond reach for me on my trusty analog commuter bike. It’s been transformative. I’ve ridden over 3700 miles *just commuting to/from work* in less than a year and a half. I’m healthier, have saved money, and have not contributed to all the negative aspects of motor vehicle culture (climate impact, traffic, etc.). So I applaud any program that makes this option available to more people.
Just saying for all the haters in the comments. Honestly, if public transit were free and more efficient, and we gave everyone an ebike but made purchasing and driving cars, SUVs, minivans, and pick up trucks way more expensive and burdensome, it would benefit so many people. In lieu of that, let’s appreciate this one small pedal stroke for humankind.
I think it’s terrific that this e-bike rebate program will focus on low-income Portlanders!
If this equity focus is implemented as written, I will greatly enjoy the outraged howls of well-off bike enthusiasts learning that they are excluded from both the local and state e-bike incentive program (LOL).
If they are well off, I doubt the $1000 price tage of a decent ebike is going to put them into debit, as it will for sure low income homes. It’s more about equity and the environment. So, I didn’t really find your comment laughable, it’s that type of thought process that has put us where we are with this type of administration. Maybe the well off can sleep better at night knowing they are in a safe neighborhood, most likely with a alarm system, and their kids attend private or the best public schools and they don’t have to worry if their next pay check is going to be enough to cover the rest of the weekly budget. Or how their going to pay for the kids school field trip. ECT…, maybe that will help them with the fact they may not get a rebate?
The LOL was a laugh of celebration at the equity focus (and the rich not getting a rebate which is rare in this capitalist sh**hole of a nation/city). Perhaps this bit should have clued you to my meaning: “I think it’s terrific that this e-bike rebate program will focus on low-income Portlanders!”.
Coming soon to Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace: public-funded ebikes sold at significant discounts.
Wow—huge budget shortfall, 911 calls aren’t being answered, potholes aren’t getting fixed, ambulances are delayed, and taxpayers and businesses are leaving the city. But somehow there’s $20 million available for pedal-assist e-motorcycles? No wonder Portland’s struggling.
It seems nearly all levels of governance in this state prefer to fund luxury programs over fulfilling basic public needs first.
If we’re going to pile on the “what is government thinking?!” topic, I’d add, “Why are we spending $10, $12, $14, $16 billion (who knows how much after cost overruns?) on freeway widening projects (Rose Quarter, Interstate Bridge, I205 third lanes, Boone Bridge) when: a) we don’t have the money to maintain the infrastructure we already have and b) we know these projects will increase the number of miles people drive and lead to more emissions?”
These ebike programs at least move us closer to our mode shift and climate goals (at least theoretically, we’ll see in practice) and are talking about millions of dollars as opposed to freeway widening projects that move us further from our mode shift and climate goals and will cost us billions.
In other words, lots to complain about when it comes to government decision making.