Income Verified E-bike Voucher Program
September 12, 2023 City Council Meeting
2 OSE Staff Team
Peter Roquemore,
Sustainability Analyst
Elias Platte-Bermeo,
Sustainability Analyst
3 Background
July 18, 2023 Council Meeting:
Request of Councilmember Zwick, Mayor Davis, and Councilmember Torosis that the City Council direct the City Manager to present to council on an electric bike point-of-sale subsidy program for low- and moderate- income Santa Monica residents utilizing anticipated funding from the Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program (EECBG). The presentation should include staff recommendations for income qualification thresholds, level of subsidy, and total number of vouchers offered, as well as a timeline for implementation.
EECBG Funding Allocation for Santa Monica: $157,730
4 Staff Recommendations
Income Qualification Thresholds:
• Previous enrollment in one or more low-income assistance programs (e.g. CARE, FERA, SNAP) OR meets HUD definition of low-income at 80% Area Median Income Level of Subsidy:
• Up to $2,000 per voucher to cover cost of bike and eligible accessories (helmet, lights, lock, etc.)
Number of Vouchers Offered:
• Approximately 75 vouchers, and possibly more if recipients utilize less than the full voucher amount
5 Tentative Implementation Timeline
Fall 2023
Submit application
E-bike Vendor
Selection
March 2024
Second E-bike
Lottery
April 2024
Third and Final
E-bike Lottery
February
2024
First E-bike
Lottery
Winter 23/24
Community
Outreach Campaign
Fall 2024
Analysis and
Program Report
6 Community Outreach
Existing Relationships
• Leverage existing relationships with community organizations engaged in sustainability and bike advocacy; neighborhood associations Direct Outreach
• Collaborate with other City departments who actively engage low and moderate -income residents to conduct direct outreach to qualifying residents
Social Media
• Publicize through social media and newsletters
7 Similar E-Bike Incentive Programs
Funding AgencyProgramAmount
City of Pasadena Residential E-Bike Rebate Pilot Program - standard rebate for various types of e-bikes
$500 rebate; $250 bonus for ecargo and adaptive e-bikes; plus $250 for low-income residents (up
to $1k)
City of San Diego Pedal Ahead Program - e-bike "loan-to-own" program requiring participants to ride a
min. number of miles over 2 years
Full cost of e-bike is covered for
participants who meet min.
mileage requirement
City of Denver E-bike Instant Rebate Program – point-of-sale instant rebate for qualifying e-bikes, e-cargo
bikes, and adaptive e-bikes
$300 standard rebate, $1200 lowincome rebate. Higher amounts for e-cargo and adaptive bikes.
PENDING: California Air
Resources Board
(CARB)
California E-Bike Incentive Program – point-ofsale vouchers for the purchase of e-bikes, including cargo e-bikes and adaptive e-bikes.
up to $1,000 for a regular e-bike
and up to $1,750 for e-cargo or
adaptive e-bikes.
8 In Conclusion
Utilizing the $157,730 in EECBG funds to provide point-of-sale e-bike vouchers for income-verified residents will:
• Reduces emissions through low carbon transportation – CAAP goal to reduce emissions by 80% from 1990 levels
• Promotes active transportation – CAAP goal to convert 50% of local trips to foot, bike, scooter or skateboard
• Support local bike shops
• Centers equity through income-verification requirement and no upfront cost to residents
• Results in no direct cost to the City
OVERVIEW
Thank you.
10 Santa Monica E-bike Programs
E-Bike Rebate
(Electrify Santa Monica)
Low-Income E-Bike
Voucher
Staff E-Bike Share
• Funded by the OSE
department budget
under the ESM Rebate
Program.
• $300 on new e-bike
purchases.
• No income
qualification necessary.
• Funded by the DOE Energy
Efficiency Conservation
Block Grant.
• Awards approximately 75
vouchers worth $2,000 to
low-income residents in
Santa Monica.
• Redeemable at a (TBD) list
of local e-bike vendors.
• Free to use for City Staff
• Three e-bikes available to
reserve in City Hall East
• Staff have used the ebikes for site visits,
attending meetings, or
just trying out e-biking!
11 Income Qualification Options
• A copy of a utility bill showing participation in the CARE or FERA discounted rate programs; or
• Proof of enrollment in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); or • Proof of enrollment in the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP); or • Proof of receipt of a Santa Monica Housing Voucher;
• Verification that the unit is deed restricted affordable housing; or • Verification that the unit is affordable housing provided by Community Corporation of Santa Monica; or
• A completed Low-Income Eligibility Form.