E-Bike Incentives

E-bikes are bicycles with rechargeable batteries and an electric motor that gives riders a boost as they pedal.

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

• 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.

New class 1 and 2 road, hybrid, e-cargo and adaptive e-bikes are eligible for this program. Full-suspension mountain e-bikes are not eligible.

• Class 1 e-bikes are equipped with an electric motor that gives the rider a boost only when pedaling. These bikes reach a max speed of 20 miles per hour (mph).
• Class 2 e-bikes are also equipped with an electric motor that gives the rider a boost even when they are not pedaling. These bikes reach a max speed of 20 mph.

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.

Standard voucher:

• E-bike: $300
• E-cargo: $500

Income-qualified voucher:

• E-bike: $1200
• E-cargo: $1400

*Please note: voucher amounts may change at the discretion of the City of Boulder.

E-Bike vouchers are only available to City of Boulder residents over the age of 18. All applicants will need to provide proof of residency.

All income levels can apply to the standard voucher. Income-qualified applicants will need to provide proof of income or proof of participation in an income-qualified program.

The city is planning two release dates for vouchers in 2023. The first release will be for 200 vouchers, evenly split between the four voucher types. The purpose of this is to gauge interest in the different incentive types and adjust, as needed, for the second release.

Because income-qualified applicants will receive a larger voucher amount, 79% of funding from the first release will go to income-qualified vouchers and 21% to standard income vouchers.

To qualify for the income-qualified voucher, your household income needs to be below 80% of area median family income for Boulder County as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Current (2023) income limits are shown below:

Find more information on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Income Limits Summary webpage.

If you apply and are randomly selected to receive a voucher, you will have to finalize your application by uploading proof of Boulder residency. If you are receiving an income-qualified voucher, you will need to upload income-related documentation. Once your application is verified, you will receive your voucher.

Options for documentation to provide proof of residency or income-eligibility will be provided on this webpage before the application period.

Residents will apply for vouchers using an online application portal. Stay tuned for more information and a link to the portal.

Vouchers will be distributed by random selection after the application period. Please stay tuned for specific dates and more information.

The city is planning two release dates for vouchers this year. The first release will likely happen in July, and the second will likely happen in September. Those dates may change.

City staff are still working on building out the application system and will be updating this webpage with more detailed information about the application process and date.

Residents will apply for vouchers using an online application portal. Stay tuned for more information and a link to the portal.

You will be notified via the email you submitted as part of the online application.

No. A limited number of discount vouchers will be available. Vouchers will be awarded by random selection after the online application period.

Vouchers can be used in-person at local participating bike shops in Boulder County. E-bikes cannot be purchased online.

Participating local bike shops include:

• Small Planet Bikes
• Trek Bikes
• Front Range Cargo Bikes
• Freedom Folding Bikes
• *More shops coming soon as we confirm participation.

No, e-bikes must be purchased from local bike shops.

Doing so provides voucher recipients with a greater choice of e-bikes while supporting the local economy.

Income-qualified recipients will have the option to receive a $200 starter kit voucher which can be used towards safety accessories including bike helmets, bike locks, bike lights and child seats for e-cargo bikes.

The estimated cost of e-bikes after the voucher discount is applied can range based on the price of the bike and voucher amount.

• This is a point-of-sale voucher, meaning voucher recipients will receive a discount when they purchase an e-bike.
• The voucher recipient is responsible for paying the difference between the purchase price of the e-bike and the voucher amount.
• The voucher discount amount cannot exceed the purchase price of the e-bike, nor can it include taxes or shipping costs.

Statewide and regional incentives are still being developed. As information becomes available, we will provide details on how this may affect city e-bike incentives.

Sign up for the city’s Climate Initiatives and Transportation and Mobility e-newsletters for updates and other relevant news.

For e-bike application alerts, sign up for the E-bike Alerts Email List.