E-BIKES FOR ALL WILL INCREASE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY WHILE REDUCING CONGESTION, CARBON EMISSIONS, AND TRAFFIC FATALITIES.
the challenge
While NYC has a comprehensive public transit network, many lower-income New Yorkers live in areas underserved by transit and face long, complex commutes, creating barriers to employment and harming overall well-being. Unreliable transportation limits opportunity and keeps people in poverty.
Hundreds of billions of dollars have gone to support electric car incentives and charging infrastructure, but EVs have limitations: they’re expensive and out of financial reach for many, and they still contribute to traffic and road safety issues.
THE SOLUTION
E-bikes are an ideal option for one-third of urban trips. More convenient and less polluting than a car and cost-competitive with transit, e-bikes appeal to users of all ages and fitness levels. They don’t require new charging infrastructure and take up little space.
E-bike incentive programs across the globe have shown that expanding access to them will have immediate benefits. According to ECP surveying in the Bronx, 82% of people said they would be interested in trying an e-bike for commuting.
the ecp
The ECP will support access to e-bikes for under-resourced communities in NYC by overcoming the financial, social, and logistical barriers to e-bike purchase and upkeep. As the first comprehensive e-bike equity program, the ECP combines a $600 purchase subsidy with access to low-cost microloans, including for individuals without credit. The ECP also includes workforce training to ensure New Yorkers are first in line for jobs in the $500B micromobility industry; safety and maintenance training to prepare riders, and strategic communications to engage the community and maximize program impact.
