A family cargo e-bike costs anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000. For many families, that upfront cost is the only thing standing between them and leaving the car at home — or getting rid of it entirely. Cities that have introduced rebate programs have seen e-bike adoption jump fast. The bikes are already here. The infrastructure is improving. The missing piece is making them accessible.
Denver launched one of the most successful e-bike rebate programs in the country, offering $400 off any e-bike purchase, with higher rebates for income-qualified residents. Each round of funding sold out within hours. The demand signal was unmistakable.
Colorado introduced a state-level e-bike tax credit, making it one of the first states to offer meaningful financial incentives for e-bike adoption across the board.
Oregon has offered tax credits for e-bike purchases through the Oregon Department of Energy, with a focus on replacing car trips.
Several California utilities and municipalities have run e-bike rebate pilots, with income-qualified programs prioritizing residents who would benefit most from car-free transportation.
New York City and New York State have no current e-bike purchase rebate or tax credit program. There have been discussions at the state level, and ConEd and other utilities have historically run electric vehicle incentive programs — but nothing that meaningfully covers cargo e-bikes for families.
Given that NYC has some of the most congested streets in the country and one of the highest concentrations of families who could benefit from replacing car trips with cargo bikes, this is a gap worth closing.
The most effective thing is direct contact with your elected officials. City Council members and state legislators respond to constituent pressure — especially when it's specific and organized.
We're actively advocating for e-bike incentives in NYC. If you want to stay informed and add your voice when opportunities come up, let us know — we'll keep you posted.
See how we're working on this →