SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — After a two-year delay, lower-income San Diegans can now apply for the California E-Bike Incentive Project, which is funded by the California Air Resources Board (CARB).
Pacific Beach Bike Shop, on Garnett Avenue, is one of more than 40 shops throughout San Diego County that are participating in the program.
Only a limited number of applications will be approved statewide in this first round, which functions on a first-come, first-served basis as long as applicants meet the necessary requirements.
“E-bikes are really making it a lot easier for people to get around,” said Mark Rowe, owner of Pacific Beach Bike Shop.
Word of the state’s new e-bike incentive program is slowly getting around.
“We’ve had four people come in inquiring about it and I wish them luck. There are only 1,500 vouchers out there,” Rowe explained.
A limited number of vouchers of up to $2,000 will be distributed to eligible applicants.
“If they purchase a bike for $1,600 they can use the rest of the voucher to purchase one helmet, one lock, or a basket,” Rowe said.
Any money left over on a voucher is not cash redeemable.
To qualify, California residents must be at least 18 years old and have a gross annual household income less than 300% of the federal poverty level. That means less than roughly $45,000 for individuals and $61,000 for couples.
Rowe says a lot of his usual clients could benefit from this program.
“We get a lot of students from UCSD that come in here looking for e-bikes to save on the parking fees and parking up there in general isn’t awesome,” Rowe said.
Liz Stuart is a fourth year PHD student at UCSD who doesn’t drive.
“Sometimes I’ll take the shuttle and then other times I’ll get on a spin,” Stuart said.
Spin is an app that offers electric scooters and bicycles.
Stuart says she wasn’t aware of the incentive program until FOX 5/KUSI told her about it.
“I think it’s a great program, especially for students. especially since we have such a big campus and then the parking situation is always really tricky,” Stuart said.
She’s hoping to put the pedal to the metal and stake her claim.
“I definitely am going to look into it when I get home,” Stuart said.
This initial round of applications will total $3 million in funds authorized by the California Legislature.
Other rounds of voucher dispersals are expected every three to four months totaling $7.5 million.
More information on the program can be found here. To find participating retailers near you click here.
