Local businesses buzz about e-bike incentives offered by California

Electric bikes – or e-bikes as they’re called – are more popular than ever. Kids use them to get to and from school, surfers ride them to their favorite spot, and many people see them as an alternative to cars. The electric battery helps you pedal, especially on hills. They can reach speeds of almost 30 miles per hour, and the batteries can be recharged thousands of times before they need to be replaced.

But the high price, which can be around $2,500 for a bike, keeps many people from being able to afford one. However, a new nationwide program called the Electric Bicycle Encouragement Project hopes to change that this spring. The project is run by the California Air Resources Board, with contributions from the local nonprofit Pedal Ahead, which runs a similar program in San Diego, and the California Bicycle Coalition.

“Fairness is really central to the program,” explained Laura McKamey of the California Bicycle Coalition. “People will not need to invest money up front. It’s not a discount like many EV programs. In this case, you will receive a voucher at the point of sale, so you will find the right bike you want to buy, you will go to a qualified seller, ask to buy a bike and your voucher will be applied.”

Not only is this initiative expected to make e-bikes more affordable, but it will also reduce the number of cars on the road and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. For those who qualify, the voucher will cost between $1,000 and $2,000 and must be spent at an e-bike store in California. This is good news for local businesses such as Happy Ebikes in Karlovy Vary.

“It’s a great way to get around town,” said Happy Ebikes owner Dan Sacks. “Gas is not needed. I believe that electricity is the future. As technology advances, our batteries will become more compact, we will move further away from them, and we will become more knowledgeable about how to handle batteries.”

The program was allocated $ 10 million, intended exclusively for people living below the poverty line. You can find out more about the initiative at the California Bicycle Coalition.

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