(Portland, ME) January 12, 2024 -The Efficiency Maine Trust released the details on a new electric bike (e-bike) rebate pilot program yesterday. This program is in response to a bill passed last year by the Maine legislature to include e-bikes in the Efficiency Maine rebate program. The intent of the bill is to lower the barrier for purchasing e-bikes for lower income persons by providing a rebate on their purchase similar to the incentive for electric cars currently provided by Efficiency Maine.
The Bicycle Coalition of Maine (BCM) is glad to see Efficiency Maine launch the program and appreciates the hard work that went into developing it. However, we are disappointed by the limited scope and funding of the program and the missed opportunity to provide more people in the state with access to this form of alternative transportation.
The use of electric-assist bicycles, commonly known as “e-bikes,” is one of the fastest growing transportation trends in the world today. Limited to a top speed of 20-28 mph, e-bikes provide effective, reliable transportation within a 5-10 mile range, which is what 75% of trips in Maine fall within. Cargo e-bicycles permit groceries, goods, and children to be easily transported, and commuter specific models provide a great workforce option.
The bill (LD 256) stipulated that e-bike rebates should be made available to “recipients who are low-income and moderate-income individuals and to entities that serve those individuals.” The BCM has argued since the conception of this bill that the rebates should be available to individuals, similar to the successful and very popular programs managed in Maine by South Portland, Portland and Freeport, as well as programs in Denver, CO, Vermont, and others around the country.
Efficiency Maine chose to only make the rebate available to “public housing agencies/authorities, community action agencies, or nonprofit organizations serving low- to moderate-income individuals” and only as pilot projects. Furthermore, the fundingof the pilot is limited to $50,000, which greatly limits the number of eligible groups. We encourage any entities who meet those requirements to review the call for proposals and apply to the program by the March 7, 2024 deadline.
The limited nature of this program denies individuals who meet the income eligibility criteria from accessing a lower cost transportation option (including those living in rural Maine) compared to gas-powered or electric vehicles. E-bikes provide a reliable form of active transportation to get to work, visit a doctor or pharmacy, run errands, and more, especially for those who are unable to afford a car or have limited transit options. They also help Maine achieve its Climate Action Plan goals by reducing reliance on gas-powered cars, lowering vehicle miles traveled, and improve the health and quality of life of many Mainers by providing an alternative to automobiles.
We look forward to learning more about the uptake on this program and will continue to work with Efficiency Maine and others on implementing an individual rebate so more people can access e-bikes in Maine.
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The Bicycle Coalition of Maine works to make Maine a better and safer place to bike and walk. Founded in 1992, the Bicycle Coalition of Maine has grown into the leading bicycle and pedestrian advocacy group in the state. The Coalition believes all Mainers should have access to bikes and bike education, and we envision a future where Maine’s roads, public ways, and trails are safe and accessible, resulting in cleaner travel options, improved health, and stronger economic benefits for Maine communities.