February 9th, 2021 was a great day for the ebiking community. With the support of PeopleForBikes, Representatives Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) introduced the Electric Bicycle Incentive Kickstart for the Environment (E-BIKE) Act. In Congressman Panetta’s words, “if passed, this program will provide a $1,500 credit or subsidize the price of a new ebike by 30%. The credit would be allowed once per individual every three years, or twice for a joint-return couple buying two electric bicycles.” Positioning ebikes as an affordable agent against climate change, the E-BIKE ACT will help millions of Americans enjoy and support the benefits of clean air while encouraging biking over driving across the country.
2020 changed everything.
Offices were abandoned, masks were drawn, and the inner workings of our world were challenged by a virus. No one was prepared for the earthquake of change, but it came regardless. And with it, came a dramatic surge in the ebiking industry. As millions of people rewrote their routines, the freedom and physical advantage of moving your feet took on a whole new meaning. “If you go back 100 years, it wasn’t cars that ruled the streets — it was people,” shared Sam Schwartz, a former New York City traffic commissioner. “But over the years, cities thought they had to modernize and widen the roadways, in some cases paving over whole communities. So this may be a return to how we lived a century ago.”
With a 15% increase in ebiking, we can expect an 11% decrease in carbon emissions.
The E-BIKE Act aims to not only broaden the biking community, but provide some much needed relief to our planet. For decades, global emissions have been spiking at an unmanageable rate and preventative measures were passed over in favor of profits. It wasn’t until the pandemic halted all traffic that notable progress was made. Global warming is an ongoing crisis and while emissions dropped by 6.4%, or 2.3 billion tonnes in 2020, we’re miles from the finish line. Similar subsidy programs have been launched with success all around the world and with the signage of this act, Americans could start catching up. In fact, it's estimated that with a 15% increase in ebiking, we can expect an 11% decrease in carbon emissions. “E-bikes are not just a fad for a select few, they are a legitimate and practical form of transportation that can help reduce our carbon emissions,” said Congressman Panetta. My legislation will make it easier for more people from all socio-economic levels to own e-bikes and contribute to cutting our carbon output.”
Change is never easy but for our climate to recover, it’s crucial. There is a different way to move and as David Zipper wrote in Slate, “commuting habits are sticky and rarely up for grabs...when the pandemic finally ends, we’ll experience an unprecedented moment when millions of Americans will simultaneously decide how to reestablish their daily travels.” If you’d like to support this act and encourage lasting, beneficial change, you can contact your local congressional using a quick and easy form through PeopleForBikes. By combining intentional technology with formative policy, it's possible to redesign a better world. And by opting for an ebike, you can enjoy the benefits of fresh air along the way.
