Photo: juicedbikes.com
Micromobility solutions can work to reduce traffic congestion and emissions, but e-bikes, for example, can be very costly. For those living in the state of California, buying one is now easier, assuming they have an old, gas-guzzling car to trade in for it.
A new bill was signed into law last week by California Governor Gavin Newsom, Senate Bill 400 (SB 400), offering e-bike vouchers for trade-ins of old cars, as part of the Clean Cars 4 All program, the California Bicycle Coalition says. Until now, car owners could only hope to get vouchers for electric, hybrid or plug-in cars, and some mobility passes (for public transit or ride-share).
Authored by Senator Thomas J. Umberg, SB 400 will help more Californians have access to electric bikes, which will, in turn, help to fight pollution and reduce congestion in the cities. Recent studies have shown that 50 percent of those using e-bikes say they would have chosen to make the trip by car if their bike did not have pedal assist.
“Senate Bill 400 helps California reduce our state’s greenhouse gas emissions,” Umberg says. “E-bikes are proving to be a reliable mobility option for not only replacing car trips, but also more widespread access to clean transportation. As an option within Clean Cars 4 All, e-bikes would help California create a more holistic approach to tackling the issues of pollution and traffic.”’
“A good quality e-bike is better than a car for most of the local trips that people take, but it’s hard to justify spending several thousand dollars on a bike when you don’t have that kind of money,” Dave Snyder, Executive Director of the California Bicycle Coalition, adds. “This program will help Californians make the switch to bikes if they so wish. E-Bikes provide an affordable and cleaner option for local trips that are more fun and healthy, too.”
Indeed, a higher adoption rate for e-bikes and other micromobility solutions could make all the difference in highly populated urban areas. Another recent study conducted in Portland, Oregon, reveals that a mere 15 percent increase in e-bike mode share translates into an 11 percent decrease in CO2 emissions.
Authored by Senator Thomas J. Umberg, SB 400 will help more Californians have access to electric bikes, which will, in turn, help to fight pollution and reduce congestion in the cities. Recent studies have shown that 50 percent of those using e-bikes say they would have chosen to make the trip by car if their bike did not have pedal assist.
“Senate Bill 400 helps California reduce our state’s greenhouse gas emissions,” Umberg says. “E-bikes are proving to be a reliable mobility option for not only replacing car trips, but also more widespread access to clean transportation. As an option within Clean Cars 4 All, e-bikes would help California create a more holistic approach to tackling the issues of pollution and traffic.”’
“A good quality e-bike is better than a car for most of the local trips that people take, but it’s hard to justify spending several thousand dollars on a bike when you don’t have that kind of money,” Dave Snyder, Executive Director of the California Bicycle Coalition, adds. “This program will help Californians make the switch to bikes if they so wish. E-Bikes provide an affordable and cleaner option for local trips that are more fun and healthy, too.”
Indeed, a higher adoption rate for e-bikes and other micromobility solutions could make all the difference in highly populated urban areas. Another recent study conducted in Portland, Oregon, reveals that a mere 15 percent increase in e-bike mode share translates into an 11 percent decrease in CO2 emissions.
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