Policies and Laws
National Electric Bicycle Law and Policy Overview
- PeopleForBikes electric bicycle initiative overview
- U.S. electric bicycle law 101
- Model electric bicycle legislation
- Electric bicycle legislation FAQs
- Industry letter of support for updated electric bicycle legislation
- Spreadsheet comparing state electric bicycle laws
- National Conference of State Legislatures overview of state electric bicycle laws
Electric Bicycle Informational Resources
- Images of electric bicycles vs. mopeds, electric bicycle components and electric bicycle classification stickers
- Differences between a traditional bike and an electric bicycle
- Stories and guidance on our electric bicycle blog and webinars
- 2019 Electric Bicycle Summit video recap
- Guide to community electric bicycle demos
Electric Bicycle Purchase Incentives
Partial Purchase Subsidies
- Eureka, CA: Redwood Coast Energy Authority offers a $500 electric bicycle rebate
- Contra Costa County, CA: 511 Contra Costa offers $150 electric bicycle rebate and a $300 electric bicycle rebate for low-income residents
- Healdsburg, CA: City offers $700 electric bicycle rebate
- Glenwood Springs, CO: Holy Cross Energy offers a $200 electric bicycle rebate
- Ann Arbor, MI: Human Electric Hybrids offers a $150 electric bicycle rebate
- Austin, TX: Austin Energy offers a $300 electric bicycle rebate
- Burlington, VT: Burlington Electric Department offers a $200 electric bicycle rebate
- Colchester, VT: Green Mountain Power offers a $300 electric bicycle rebate
Vendor-Funded Discounts
- Boulder, CO: Discount Electric Car and Bike purchase program
Government-Sponsored Loans
- State of Vermont: VSECU VGreen low-interest loan
Cash for Clunkers
- State of California: Electric bicycle voucher program
Pilot Programs
International Purchase Incentives
- Sweden: 25% subsidy for all electric bicycle sales until 2020
- U.K.: Bike/electric bicycle subsidy
- Germany: Employer-based electric bicycle incentive program
Research
- Study on electric bicycle incentive programs (2019)
Electric Bicycle Share Programs
- Los Angeles, CA: Metro Bike Share program
- Vail, CO: Bewegen Vail pilot program
- Aspen + Basalt, CO: WeCycle program
- Colorado Springs, CO: PikeRide program
- Chicago, IL: Divvy program
- Montgomery County: Dockless Electric Bikeshare program
- New York City, NY: CitiBike program
- Houston, TX: Houston BCycle program
- Arlington, VA: Capital Bikeshare
Vehicles that are not Class 1, 2, or 3 Electric Bicycles
The bicycle industry created Class 1, 2, and 3 designations for Low Speed Electric Bicycles (LSEBs) to clarify and describe their respective capabilities, and to support the enactment of appropriate legislation and regulations regarding LSEB equipment and usage on transportation and recreational facilities. Class 1, 2 and 3 LSEBs are classified as “electric bicycles” by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and regulated by that agency under 16 C.F.R. Section 1512. To differentiate LSEBs from Out of Class Electric Vehicle (OCEVs), PeopleForBikes developed a policy position that outlines how OCEVs are not LSEBs and should not be labeled, marketed, or sold as LSEBs. LSEBs should not be modified by retailers or consumers to exceed the specifications of their class as manufactured. The use of OCEVs on facilities designed and designated for the use of bicycles and LSEBs may result in user conflicts and jeopardize PeopleForBikes’ ongoing efforts to promote uniform laws and gain wider acceptance and access for LSEBs.
Read the media and messaging guide for this policy here.
Some Outside Resources…
- Bikes Make Life Better’s infographic on the Rise of Electric bicycles
- Faraday’s Bicycle Commuter Guide for city riding
- Outside Mag’s take on eMTBs
- Bicycling Magazine: Your Electric Bicycle Questions Answered
- Momentum Mag’s “Electric Bicycle Guide”
- Electric bicycle uses for police forces
