A New e-bike incentive program offers a clean transportation alternative for residents and increased benefits for income-qualified applicants

Baltimore, MD (September 24, 2024) – Today, Mayor Brandon M. Scott, Councilman Ryan Dorsey, and Baltimore City Department of Transportation (BCDOT) Director Corren Johnson announced that at noon the city is opening the application for its first e-bike voucher pilot program as an incentive for city residents to purchase electric bicycles.

Baltimore’s e-bike voucher pilot program was developed to help make e-bikes an affordable and sustainable transportation option for city residents.  By providing financial support, especially for income-qualified city residents, this initiative helps to break down financial barriers to e-bike ownership while promoting transportation independence and economic empowerment.

“Baltimore’s e-bike voucher pilot program is a great way to encourage residents to use sustainable transportation and increase micro mobility options, especially for low- and moderate-income households,” said Mayor Brandon Scott.  “By making e-bikes more affordable, this initiative will help address historic inequities in transportation access and expand transportation options for residents, especially in traditionally vulnerable and underserved communities.”

The $75,000 pilot program is designed for residents who can most benefit from the advantages of an e-bike.  This investment will help support city residents choosing more affordable and healthier mobility devices, while helping to decrease air pollution and traffic congestion throughout the city.

Through this initiative, city residents can apply for vouchers worth up to $2,000 to purchase an e-bike from approved vendors. The application period opens on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, and anyone who is a Baltimore City resident at the time of application can apply.  Once the application period ends on October 10, 2024, applications will be randomly selected and vetted for completeness and program compliance.  The submittal of an application does not guarantee that a voucher will be received. 

“It’s in the economic, health, and safety interest of every business and every resident of any age or ability that we become a city where far more people bike to meet life’s everyday demands,” said Councilman Ryan Dorsey.  “E-bikes make that more of a possibility for many people, and the city is helping to make that a reality.  My hope and intent are that this pilot is just the beginning.”

Up to 50 vouchers are expected to be awarded through this pilot program. The income-qualified voucher worth $2,000 will be available to applicants who are Baltimore City residents and can provide proof of enrollment in SNAP, TANF, Medicaid or other state or federal income-qualified programs. The $750 voucher will be available to applicants of all income-levels who are Baltimore City residents. At least fifty percent of the vouchers will be reserved for income-qualified residents, ensuring equitable access to the benefits of e-biking. 

Awarded vouchers must be redeemed within 45 days at select Baltimore bike retailers participating in this program.  A final list of approved bike shops will be available once the application period opens on September 24^th.

Residents interested in the program should apply online once the application period begins on September 24^th.  Winners will be notified by email near the end of October after the application period closes. 

Additional information about Baltimore City’s e-bike voucher pilot program can be found at Bike Baltimore Electric | Streets of Baltimore.

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