cross-posted from: https://hoosier.social/users/benfulton/statuses/111383853326196706
Bloomington Launches a Pilot E-Bike Voucher Program with Incentives Up to $1,000
“All residents may qualify for point-of-purchase vouchers of $500, as long as they meet the eligibility requirements. Low-income residents who provide proof of income may qualify for increased vouchers worth $1,000 towards an e-bike. This program is launching as a partnership with the Bicycle Garage and Revolution Bike and Bean.”
It’s certainly better than nothing, but I’m not thrilled with the idea of the city requiring people to buy their bike from one of two local shops. Since the cheapest e-bike either of them sells is $1800, it means that even despite the $500 discount, folks would still be spending more than if they bought a decent mail-order bike outright.
I absolutely agree that a decent, entry-level ebike could be found online for potentially less than the post-voucher take-home price of this incentive. However, I think that option and this program target two different audiences.
Buying an ebike online requires assessing the multitude of ebikes in the current market, filtering out which ones make sense, reading reviews, consulting knowledgeable friends and online forums. Then ordering the bike almost always involves shipping, with the (minor) hassle of receiving the parcel at home; not everyone is at home to conveniently sign for a parcel. Then there’s assembly of the bike, as well as adjusting it to size. This to me sounds like an enthusiast or engineer’s approach, but not everyone is interested in all this.
Whereas this incentive allows people – especially locals – to walk in, get (hopefully) knowledgeable advice from the bike shop staff, have the incentive paperwork filled in, the bike fitted correctly, and ultimately take it home that very day. In addition to being streamlined, it’s likely that shop will be willing to support this ebike going forward, for regular maintenance or repairs. There’s an ongoing issue where local bike shops won’t work on no-name or unknown brand ebikes, for a host of valid and invalid reasons. The incentive program here sidesteps all that, and ideally forms a lasting relationship within the community around their ebikes and their bike shop.
TL;DR: different options for different situations
You’re mostly not wrong, but as one of those enthusiast or engineer types (both, in fact), I’m a bit miffed at the program not being equally accommodating to folks like me.
As for the “mostly:” I do think it’s worth noting that some mail order bikes (and apparently some of the most popular ones, at that) come one-size-fits-all and fully-assembled.
I also happen to fall into both categories (enthusiast and engineer); it’s funny how the ebike earlier-adoption Venn diagram contains this much overlap. And while I’d love an incentive as much as anyone else, I think good public policy is to help move people who are the least naturally-targeted for an ebike toward an ebike.
Like, if I’m already capable of spec-ing and building my own bikes and ebikes, the limited program funds should go to people who aren’t as capable, at least until more money is available.
One-size bikes – electric or otherwise – are one of those things I feel is like one-size clothes. Most people will fit fine, but could definitely be optimized for maximum comfort.
If the folks who avail themselves of this program have a positive experience with ebikes, this can help garner additional public support and program funding. I see full-service bike shops as most tailored for this task. Proliferation of “standard” ebikes also helps dilute the unwanted perception that ebikes are for speed demons, wannabe motorbikers, etc.
at least until more money is available.
I mean, it does say “all residents may qualify” – it doesn’t say anything about first-come, first-served or being limited to anything less than 100% of the residents. Are you sure you aren’t assuming a budget limitation that isn’t there?
You’re right that I assumed there exists a budget limit somewhere. Most incentive programs for ebikes, heat pumps, light bulbs, turf removal, etc tend to have a “while funding is available” clause somewhere. The 2022 Denver ebike voucher program that was fully exhausted comes to mind.
That said, the Bloomington program page says half the funds ($15,000) will go to low-income applicants – who qualify for $1k – from a total pot of $30,000 for the year. Each year, they will assess how much to fund the next year with.
This allows for 15 vouchers for low income populations, and 30 vouchers for the general population for the pilot year.
Good find.
Also, oof. Even if I had assumed a limited budget, that’s way, way more limited than I would’ve ever guessed.
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