It’s finally here. Three years after we first reported on it and just months after what program officials deemed a successful pilot, the Portland Rides, PCEF E-Bike Rebate Program is set for its full launch two weeks from today.
The program website went live today with information about how to prep for Monday, April 6th. Given that folks can qualify for an instant rebate of up to $1,600 for a standard e-bike or up to $2,350 for a cargo e-bike (plus $300 for accessories), I expect a lot of demand. People with low incomes (at or below 60% of Area Median Income) and those in various frontline communities (whom PCEF defines as, “groups disproportionately impacted by climate change and historically underserved by sustainability programs”) are eligible for rebates. Once deemed eligible, recipients will be chosen at random through an automated process.
The program is powered by an investment from the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF) of $20 million over five years and is expected to provide over 6,000 bikes to people in need between now and 2029. Seetha Ream-Rao, PCEF’s Transportation Decarbonization Program manager, said the program will support Portland’s “deeply rooted bike culture,” and will, “make commuting more affordable for low-income households, support healthier communities, improve transportation access and help the city reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
An online application and a basic safety training course (completed online) are required for each interested person. Once they’re confirmed for a rebate, they’ll receive a code that can be used at any one of 14 participating local bike retailers. Participants must choose from a list of around 100 qualified e-bike models. The program offers rebates for Class 1 (20 mph max speed, no throttle) and Class 2 (20 mph max speed, throttle).
Below is the list of 14 shops taking part in the program:
- PSU Bike Hub
- Joe Bike
- Nomad Cycles PDX
- Trek Bicycle Portland Slabtown
- The eBike Store, Inc
- TomCat Bikes, LLC
- Clever Cycles Bicycle & Ebike Store
- Trek Bicycle Portland Hollywood & Outlet
- Trek Bicycle Portland Westmoreland
- A Convenient Cycle
- Sellwood Cycle Repair
- pXcycle
- Metropolis Cycle Repair
- Vvolt eBikes | Portland
Applications for this first round of rebates will be accepted between April 6th and July 24th. To learn more, do a test ride, and submit your application in person, visit the EV Tailgate Party Powered by PCEF Earth Day event at Parkrose Middle School from 12:00 to 3:00 pm on April 11th.
Thanks for reading.
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Nice to see some modest ebikes with dropper seat posts in the main picture – I know my own bicycling fun has been forever enhanced with dropper (hydraulic) seat posts – best cycling improvement in the last decade IMO, they allow old hacks like myself to easily mount any bicycle (including all my non-ebikes) at a low seat height, the with the flick of a switch I can pop the seat post to the correct height, then back again when I’m going to dismount or have to stop for a long time at a signal. Sizes are limited but with shims most bikes built after 2000 can have them – 27.2mm usually has an external cable – but the 30.9 and 31.6 sizes you can get either internal routing or else a basic lever under your seat. An absolute marvel.
Sir, this article is about an e-bike rebate program.
Perhaps people applying to the program can see the value in what David is discussing and if selected add that to the criteria they use to select a bike?
The thing about droppers on ebikes, and maybe even more important with the rebate program ebikes, is that for many folks an ebike at least partially replaces a car, and as such is often ridden by more than one person (unlike most analog bikes.) I imagine that’s even more true with cargo ebikes. And a dropper makes it considerably easier for two or more different height people to ride the same machine without having to get a wrench out for every switch.
However you feel about e-bikes, they are more likely to appear in the showroom with fenders, lights, racks and other useful accessories. Suspension forks seem like a good idea too if they can be maintained.
I’m looking forward to this with excitement and trepidation. Excited at the prospect of more cyclists on the road with me, hopefully replacing car trips with bike trips. A bit anxious about more new bike riders with throttle power buzzing past me in the bike lanes with the same impatience and lack of courtesy as car drivers, but closer. Fingers crossed!