Washington state e-bike incentive starting soon

[Fermion]

Those of you in our Washington state may not know about this program that is coming up soon (April). I expect the program to run out of money really fast, so if you were waiting to buy an e-bike and qualify for the $1200 rebate, might want to start thinking about what model to get.

Qualifying applicants will receive rebates for either $1,200 or $300.​

Qualifying applicants with a household income at or below 80% of the county-area median income will receive a rebate of $1,200. Applicants not meeting that income requirement will get a rebate of $300.

Rebate recipients can apply the rebate toward eligible e-bikes, bike helmets, bike lights, bike locks and any maintenance agreement sold at the time of purchase.​

There are three classes of e-bike: Classes 1, 2 and 3. E-bikes classes boil down to distinctions based on motor style and maximum speed. Washington state defines e-bikes and their classes in this way (RCW:46.04.169):

"Electric-assisted bicycle" means a bicycle with two or three wheels, a saddle, fully operative pedals for human propulsion, and an electric motor. The electric-assisted bicycle's electric motor must have a power output of no more than seven hundred fifty watts. The electric-assisted bicycle must meet the requirements of one of the following three classifications:

• "Class 1 electric-assisted bicycle" means an electric-assisted bicycle in which the motor provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of twenty miles per hour;
• Class 2 electric-assisted bicycle" means an electric-assisted bicycle in which the motor may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle and is not capable of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of twenty miles per hour; or
• "Class 3 electric-assisted bicycle" means an electric-assisted bicycle in which the motor provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of twenty-eight miles per hour and is equipped with a speedometer."

Rebate recipients may purchase eligible e-bikes, e-trikes, or adaptive versions of either in any of these classes. E-mountain bikes are not eligible.

 

[MichaelB]

<mod note> Lets please allow the OP and interested members the opportunity to discuss this without snarky and derailing comments about regulations.

 

[braumeister]

Very interesting program. I just checked, and the median household income for the Seattle area is around $122K, so 80% of that should cover a lot of folks. But in my mind I see that area as oriented mainly toward cars. Is there really enough roadway that is friendly enough to e-bikes?

 

[Chuckanut]

Weather conditions make regular travel by bike not very practical for eight months out of the year.

 

[audreyh1]

The only busy urban area I’ve felt safe bicycling for transportation was Amsterdam. Bike lanes are segregated from vehicular traffic and even have their own traffic lights.

Admittedly Amsterdam has plenty of wet weather, and people cycle anyway.

 

[sengsational]

In Copenhagen, they have a 200% tax on cars (right, a 50K car costs $150K), so everyone rides a bike. I don't know if it's that they are more robust than Americans, but we were, pedaling away, on cold and rainy days. Lots of them. And they didn't seem to mind. And they didn't seem to have specialized "rain gear." They all had baskets, though, raising the utility of the bike as a transportation mode. I was thinking at the time that a little bubble windshield would be helpful, but nobody had anything more than the basic bike. So bikes CAN work for transportation, but whether Americans can manage through all weather, I'm unsure.

I understand eBikes as a substitute for taking a car, but our Greenway path is full of them, people just joyriding. The pedals are moving, but they aren't showing any indication they're exercising. I don't get that. I guess if it's the only way you'd ever get on a bike, then sure...it gets you outdoors. But if you are joyriding, it really doesn't matter how far or fast, it matters that you're outdoors. I have friends who have eBikes and brag how many miles they went on a joyride, LOL! I have a garage sale mountain bike and if I just want to be outside without exercise, I just put it in a low gear and go slowly.

 

[stepford]

Worth noting that a similar program last year in California got a massive response and ran out of money immediately.

 

[Fermion]

Yes, I read down through it and found that they are going to do a type of lottery system.

"When the program launches this spring, people interested in receiving a rebate will have two weeks to enter their name into a pool for the chance at being selected.
After that two-week period ends, all participants randomly selected to receive a rebate will have two weeks to send supporting documentation to APTIM via email in order to receive their rebates electronically.
Recipients can then redeem their rebate during a single purchase at a participating bike shop. "

This part is a little concerning. What do they mean by demographic information?

• Provide contact information when they apply, including a physical address, email address, phone number and demographic information

 

[tulak]

I biked for years to the office in Seattle, back when I had to be in 5 days a week. Weather didn’t bother me, since I had the right gear and a warm shower at the end. It was 30 min one way, regardless of traffic. I loved it.

There was one day when I biked home, when a truck hauling fish overturned on highway 99, creating a traffic mess that lasted for hours. I didn’t even know about it until later that evening, but I remember thinking to myself while biking home, why is traffic so bad? I was home in 30 minutes.

I bike a lot in the Seattle area, including rides around Lake Washington, which is around 80 miles, and many shorter rides in between. There are a lot of bike trails available, which I prefer, since cars freak me out.

OP, thanks for the heads-up on the rebate. I’ll have to take a look.

 

[Ronstar]

Win a lottery and have a demographic win in order to qualify? And a lot of red tape. It will be interesting to see how many folks actually qualify.

 

[Fermion]

They have $3.8B so far from the carbon gas tax and this program is allocated $5m. Hmm, what is the interest on $3.8B invested in a 4% money market....$152m a year. They are being a bit stingy here

 

[MichaelB]

This part is a little concerning. What do they mean by demographic information?

• Provide contact information when they apply, including a physical address, email address, phone number and demographic information

Just a guess, but the announcement does say it is means dependent, so that might be using demographic information in place of financial information.

 

[Fermion]

Just a guess, but the announcement does say it is means dependent, so that might be using demographic information in place of financial information.

I thought it said separately you had to submit proof of income but maybe you are right. My mind just goes to other places, thinking maybe they would say old people don't need to be riding bikes

 

[savory]

- Much of Europe but especially Copenhagen and Amsterdam have much higher rates of cyclists than you find in the USA. Taxes and bicycle oriented infrastructure as pointed out by Sengsational will tell you why. Other structures are also in place. For example, learn how to ride bicycle parks are not unusual which have roads, stop signs, traffic lights, etc. in a small park area off the road. The park will be used during the school day by students directed by teachers. And parents can take their kids there for further training.
- USA local and federal transportation investment prioritizes street design by Level of Service. So, motor vehicles which are the predominate form of transportation continue to get rewarded with street design that compromises other forms. Bicycling infrastructure is executed but not enough to really push non-motorized transportation. The vast majority of people who bike do not like to be in the same lane as a motor vehicle. And while there are bike lanes, they stop and start so a hesitant bike rider will only/mostly ride on non-motorized trails for recreation.
- Weather is not as big an an inhibitor as non-bicyclists believe. Some of the best cities with the most cyclists as a percent of all vehicles include Montreal, Madison, WI, Minneapolis, MN. There is an issue with snow removal in bike lanes as cities need to invest in special equipment ( protected bike lanes are not wide enough for plows). And streets with and without bike lanes become very narrow with the snow piles created by the plows. Many motorists are not aware of the legal passing distance that motorists are required to follow when passing a bicyclist. In states that have these regulations, it is no less than 3 feet and as much as 6 feet. Getting more cyclist on the Steet may happen if motorists passed cyclist with the required distance in mind as it makes the road feel safer. And cyclists would know that motorists are really looking out for them.
- E-Bikes are a good form of exercise. If you were to compare it to walking vs running, going a mile is good exercise by either method. The studies from the UK I have reviewed suggest a motorized bike that requires pedaling is a good form of exercise. And for those who need to build their fitness, it offers a great deal of support until a good fitness level has been reached, especially in hilly areas. The power assist provides encouragement early on and the power assist can be regulated downward as the cyclist becomes stronger.

 

[More Cowbell]

BestSideCycling has an active YouTube channel highlighting various bike routes in the Greater Seattle Area. Especially focusing on new bike infrastructure, trails and hard climbs in the area. He also has a Google Map so you can jump to videos in an area of interest:

Best Side Cycling Map - Google My Maps

Corresponding map to Best Side Cycling's YouTube channel where you can check out a lot of local routes!

www.google.com

He has many different types of bikes, including an e-bike (Specialized Turbo Vado SL) that he’s gotten for his commute.

 

[audreyh1]

- Much of Europe but especially Copenhagen and Amsterdam have much higher rates of cyclists than you find in the USA. Taxes and bicycle oriented infrastructure as pointed out by Sengsational will tell you why. Other structures are also in place. For example, learn how to ride bicycle parks are not unusual which have roads, stop signs, traffic lights, etc. in a small park area off the road. The park will be used during the school day by students directed by teachers. And parents can take their kids there for further training.

Not only that, but once they reach grade 7 in Amsterdam they are required to cycle to school.

 

[tulak]

Not only that, but once they reach grade 7 in Amsterdam they are required to cycle to school.

That’s cool.

 

[Chuckanut]

Admittedly Amsterdam has plenty of wet weather, and people cycle anyway.

That makes a huge difference. No cars or pedestrians should be sharing the bike lane, as many tourists have learned the hard way.

Also, Amsterdam businesses have the support facilities to handle huge numbers of bikers. One look at the bike parking lot at the railroad station will show you that.

Note: A HUGE majority of the commuter bikes are for want of a better description "junky beaters". There is a reason for that - thieves. They also drain the canals yearly and remove all the bikes that drunks and criminals have tossed into the canals. Not quite the perfect society some might think.

 

[FlaMariner]

Can you use the subsidy for a bike with no motor (pedal only)? Or a moped? Or motorcycle?

Not understanding why the government would pick e-bikes as something to give a discount?

Seems the owners of e-bikes have above average incomes.....Maybe someone from the area can clue me in as to what I do not understand?

Here is an article about e bike owners w/their higher incomes....

Tracing the demographics of e-bike owners in the US

Tracing the demographics of e-bike owners in the US

business.yougov.com

 

[savory]

The real incentive is for low income people. They receive $1200, a substantial amount of the price for many Ebike brands.

I haven’t done the research for a while but minimum wage employees pay a high percent of their income on transportation. A bike would relieve them of most of that expense since ongoing cost will be low and maintenance also low cost, especially if they were DIY.

In a State like Washington, there will likely be hills which is a deterrent on a regular bicycle. E-Bikes make hills easy to climb for even beginner ebike riders due to the bike’s battery assist.

Plus, unless WA has a law against it, ebikes can be put on a bus bike carrier saving perhaps half of the fare or allow for an employee to take a bus for a distance then bike the rest of the way if buses do not go near their destination. It is often referred to as first mile/last mile depending if the bike ride starts from home or after departing the bus.

A 5 mile commute would be OK. 10 miles would not be out of the question. Infrastructure and street lighting would be important.

 

[braumeister]

Every city is different, but Copenhagen and Amsterdam have got to be the shining examples.
I'll always remember my first visit to Amsterdam. I was naive and didn't understand the importance of keeping clear of the bike lanes. A kind local pulled me back at one point and explained that when I heard the sound of the bell, it had nothing to do with pedestrian warning; rather it was a celebratory ring that another tourist had been knocked over.

 

[savory]

That makes a huge difference. No cars or pedestrians should be sharing the bike lane, as many tourists have learned the hard way.

Also, Amsterdam businesses have the support facilities to handle huge numbers of bikers. One look at the bike parking lot at the railroad station will show you that.

Note: A HUGE majority of the commuter bikes are for want of a better description "junky beaters". There is a reason for that - thieves. They also drain the canals yearly and remove all the bikes that drunks and criminals have tossed into the canals. Not quite the perfect society some might think.

But as you might know, in around 1970, Amsterdam looked like the USA today in motor vehicles to bike ratio. All of their facilities you point out, including parking at groceries, trains and work were built since then.

 

[FlaMariner]

The real incentive is for low income people. They receive $1200, a substantial amount of the price for many Ebike brands.

That's quite a giveaway.......very generous of the government....If $122,000 a year is the average HH income in the Seattle area, then 80% (who get the $1,200 of free money) income would be $107,360 HH income!!!! And the rich folks who earn more than that get $300. Sweet handout for the lucky.

And he who is fastest on the keyboard gets the free money before it goes away.

That seems so bizarre to me.

Good luck w/the race to the computer and getting the handout from the government.

Makes me question who sells these bikes in Seattle...He/She better place an order and get ready to make bank......Also, looks like China will benefit also as I see that 86% of our e-bikes are made in China.

Very interesting.

 

[Fermion]

Looks like no need to rush, they are giving two weeks for submitting into to qualify you into the lottery. I think the demographic part of it will limit the amount given out to rich Seattlites maybe. Technically they should allocate some to each county in Washington instead of giving 99% to King county.

 

[savory]

loooks like China will benefit also as I see that 86% of our e-bikes are made in China.

Very interesting.

I only looked at one popular e bike brand and they source from China and assemble in USA as FlaMariner pointed out How does that compare to business by USA companies?

GM follows a similar Chinese outsourcing pattern for cars although they source less of a percent from China. Tesla, like GM also sources a significant amount of parts from China for USA sales. In many markets where Tesla sales are outside of USA, they manufacture in China and source 95% of their parts from Chinese companies.

That is the business model today, it seems