E-Bike Incentives

If you have questions about which bike is right for you, or if you aren't sure a bike you're interested in is a standard e-bike or an e-cargo bike, please reach out to Community Cycles at ebike@communitycycles.org.

• E-bikes are bicycles with rechargeable batteries and an electric motor that gives riders a boost as they pedal.
• E-cargo bikes are designed to carry cargo or multiple people. They are typically larger and have a longer frame. Long tail, long john, Bakfiet and box bikes are all e-cargo bikes. Not every e-bike with a rack is considered an e-cargo bike. E-cargo bikes that qualify for a voucher must have a cargo capacity of 100 lbs. They can carry cargo or multiple people but tend to be more expensive and heavier than regularly sized e-bikes.
• Adaptive e-bikes are e-bikes designed specifically for people experiencing disabilities or riders that require extra stability. If you have balance issues, please be aware that some bikes, like tricycles, may be more difficult to balance than others. For support with choosing the right adaptive e-bike, reach out to ebike@communitycycles.org. For adaptive e-bike options that qualify for vouchers, reach out to ebikesboulder@aptim.com.

E-bikes have a range of benefits. They help people:

• Use their car(s) less and save money on gas.
• Bike longer distances and on tough terrain, like hills and dirt roads.
• Run errands and make shorter trips quicker while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
• Provide first- and last-mile connections to public transit.
• Live healthier lives. They get users moving outside as they travel from one place to another.
• Improve the health of our community. E-bikes reduce air pollution from cars, which improves air quality.

The estimated cost of e-bikes after the voucher is applied can range based on the price of the bike and voucher amount. We recommend you visit your local bike shops to learn more about e-bike pricing.

• More resources will be available soon about e-bike costs at participating bike shops.

Please also consider:

• This is a point-of-sale voucher, meaning voucher recipients will receive a discount at the time they purchase a bike.
• The voucher recipient is responsible for paying the difference between the purchase price of the e-bike and the voucher amount at the time of purchase.
• There is no minimum or maximum purchase price.
• The voucher also can not be used for sales tax.
• Leftover funds on a used voucher will be returned to the E-Bike Incentives program.

All applicants must provide one of the following documents to show they are a city resident.

• Current valid Colorado Driver’s License or ID
• Computer Generated Bill (utility, credit card, doctor, hospital, etc.)
• Bank Statement
• Pre-Printed Pay Stub
• First-Class Mail (from a government agency or court)
• Current Homeowner's, Renter's, or Motor Vehicle Insurance Policy
• Mortgage, Lease, or Rental Contract
• Motor Vehicle Registration
• USPS Change of Address Form CNL107
• Military Service Form DD214

Individuals who are unable to provide any of these documents may be eligible to provide a letter from a known community organization stating they are unhoused, use their facility and services, and receive their mail there.

If you are randomly selected, you will need to provide related income-qualification documentation. All documents must be dated within one year of application. Once verified, you will receive your voucher.

Please note that Colorado State law restricts the use or disclosure of information concerning recipients of federally aided public assistance and welfare. Because of this, we cannot accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or other federal assistance payments, social services and child welfare services documentation as proof of income.

Vouchers can be used in person at participating bike shops in Boulder County. E-bikes cannot be purchased online. Vouchers are redeemable at bike shops across Boulder County to provide recipients with a greater choice of e-bikes while supporting the local economy.

Voucher recipients can opt-in to receive $200 for a “Starter Kit” which can be used towards safety accessories including bike helmets, bike locks, bike lights and child seats.

Not all e-bikes are the same. The type of e-bike you ride changes where you are allowed to ride in the city.

You can ride Class 1 and 2 e-bikes on streets, bike lanes, multi-use paths, and sidewalks (except Dismount Zones — watch for signage to walk your bike instead). Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes are also allowed on specific city trails.

• Learn more about which wheels go where

Wherever you ride, you must:

• Always yield to pedestrians and slower-moving traffic.
• Use an audible signal before passing on the left.
• Equip your e-bike with lights if riding at night.
• Except for accessibility purposes, must dismount in Dismount Zones.
• Must follow speed limits.
  • Multi-use path: 15 mph.
  • Crosswalks: 8 mph.
  • Residential streets: 20 mph.

• Learn more about Share the Path

Reach out to participating local bike shops or try out shared e-bikes.

At this time, plans for the release of future city E-bike Incentives are unknown.

No. At this time, city residents are limited to a lifetime maximum of one e-bike purchased through the city’s E-Bike Incentives Program, regardless of the e-bike type.

No. The voucher holder will need to pay the sales tax charged on the e-bike, even if the voucher meets or exceeds the cost of the e-bike plus tax.

E-Bike Incentives began in 2023, providing vouchers to help pay for part of the cost of an e-bike. Our goal is to encourage more sustainable, convenient and healthy ways to travel around town. The program is funded by the city's Climate Tax.

Results from the 2023 program displayed a need for targeted assistance toward community members who may find it difficult to purchase an e-bike without a discount. The new and improved 2024 program aimed to prioritize income equity as part of the city's climate actions.

• Learn More on the Sustainability, Equity and Resilience Framework