GO Santa Cruz County, a program of the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) that rewards commuters for choosing sustainable transportation options such as walking, biking, carpooling and taking the bus, announced that its GO BIKE! bicycle incentive program will take applications starting Friday.
GO BIKE! encourages people to switch from driving to biking by providing affordable access to clean transportation options. The program gives eligible applicants vouchers ranging from $300 to $1,200. Incentives include $300 for a traditional (non-electric) bike, $800 for a standard e-bike, $1,200 for a cargo or adaptive e-bike and a subsidized annual BCycle membership (a $245 value). Vouchers are redeemed at the time of sale and the purchase price will be reduced by the amount of the voucher. Learn more and apply at gosantacruzcounty.org/go-bike.
Funded by the Monterey Bay Air Resources District and the RTC, the $500,000 GO BIKE! incentive collaborates with local government agencies, community-based organizations and local businesses to provide financial incentives and bike education to encourage people to commute by bike. GO BIKE! serves low-income people who live or work in Santa Cruz County and are 18 years or older. The program also offers voucher eligibility to community-serving programs, like shelters and job placement programs, to create their own e-bike lending fleets. Organizations are encouraged to contact the RTC directly to determine if they are eligible.
“E-bikes, along with traditional bikes, are becoming increasingly popular, due to their environmental benefits and cost savings compared to cars,” Sarah Christensen, RTC executive director, said in a news release. “However, the upfront cost of a bike can be a barrier for many people. GO BIKE! aims to reduce the burden by providing substantial incentives that are intended to enable applicants to choose the best bike for their lifestyle and finances.”
To receive the voucher, applicants must complete an online bicycle safety training facilitated by local nonprofit Ecology Action. The safety training addresses the importance for e-bike users to know the rules of the road and feel confident while riding around town.
GO BIKE! follows the e-bike rebate pilot for downtown Santa Cruz employees. The rebate aimed to reduce barriers to biking and encourage more people to travel on bikes. Since its launch in June 2023, $115,200 of rebates have been distributed, supporting $550,617 in e-bike sales at Santa Cruz bike shops. According to the RTC news release, 217 people who purchased e-bikes reported that they have replaced 93% of their car trips with biking.
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