City Gives Residents $2,000 for Purchasing a Bike

Atlanta city residents could now qualify for a rebate of up to $2,000 if they make an electric bike purchase.

City officials approved the rebate program last week to serve those with moderate or low incomes who'd like to make an e-bike purchase. More than 70 percent of the money allocated is reserved for those making 80 percent or less of the region's median income, Atlanta City Council member Matt Westmoreland told Atlanta News First.

Depending on the exact income, residents can score between $500 to $2,000. For those who fit the income criteria, payments of $1,500 and $2,000 are available, depending on if you purchase a standard e-bike or cargo e-bike.

Other residents will receive $500 or $1,000 if they buy a standard or cargo e-bike respectively.

The $1 million rebate investment also helps the city reach sustainability goals as more residents give up their fuel heavy cars to trade in for a bike.

"This groundbreaking e-bike rebate program holds transformational potential for the City of Atlanta and the entire region," said Atlanta Regional Commission Board Chair and Mayor Andre Dickens, in a statement. "The program will help reduce the number of vehicles on our roads, clean our air, and provide a cost-effective way for people to get around town."

Additionally, there's a safety component at play as the Georgia city looks to encourage more cyclists.

"We are working on transforming Atlanta streets into places that are safe and accessible for people to use in all kinds of transportation," Rebecca Serna, a spokesperson for Propel ATL, a group looking to create more pedestrian-friendly streets, told Atlanta News First.

Serna added that the organization would be telling residents about the new program at bus stations, bike shops and community events.

"E-bikes are something that can really make mobility and access to jobs, school, and other places people are going every day a little bit easier, a little bit faster and improve people's lives," Serna said.

If you're looking to purchase an e-bike in Atlanta, you can expect the rebate to be sent out in the spring, with new checks issued on a quarterly basis.

"E-bikes are truly a game-changer, giving people access to an affordable transportation option for short trips that would otherwise require a car," said Anna Roach, executive director and CEO of the Atlanta Regional Commission. "The Atlanta e-bike rebate program brings e-bikes within reach of anyone, regardless of income or ZIP code."

According to the Atlanta Regional Commission, the average Atlanta resident spends more than $11,000 a year on transportation. Meanwhile, the average annual cost of electricity to power e-bikes comes out to less than $15.

Atlanta isn't the first city in the United States to offer e-bike rebates to residents, but it is the first city in Georgia, joining its Southern neighbor cities, Tampa, Florida and Raleigh, North Carolina.

"This initiative supports Atlanta's sustainability goals by decreasing urban traffic and emissions," finance expert and Trading Verstehen owner Markus Kraus told Newsweek. "It's part of a broader national trend where cities are increasingly recognizing e-bikes as a key solution for greener, more efficient urban mobility."