The City of Santa Monica has launched an e-bike voucher program to allow 90 low and moderate families residing in the city to purchase an e-bike. Last year, the city announced it was working on a program similar to the e-bike rebate programs that have been popping up throughout the state, but ultimately a voucher program allows purchasers to get their voucher before purchase eliminating the barrier of having to pay up to $2,000 for a e-bike and waiting for a refund.
“Increasing equity in access to e-bikes and their benefits is a key pillar of this program,” proclaims the city at the voucher program’s website. The site also clarifies that residents who have already purchased an e-bike will not be reimbursed, even if they would qualify for the program otherwise.
This program will only fund 90 e-bikes before it is put on hiatus until more funds can be earned through grants or set-aside in the city’s budget. You can fill out an application in English or Spanish. If you need a paper copy, you can request it at (310)-458-2201 ext. 2504 or bikevoucher@santamonica.gov. To find out if your income qualifies you to participate in the program, click here to see the city’s income qualification form in English, or here for Spanish.
If residents qualify and are accepted into the program, they will have 90 days after notification to complete an e-bike safety course, fill out a “participation survey” and then redeem their voucher at a local participating bicycle shop.
There is no restriction as to what class e-bike can be purchased with the voucher, although the city does define what an e-bike is. The bike has to have two or three wheels, operable pedals, an electric motor of 750 watts or less and cannot be gas-powered.
A full list of participating shops has not been made available yet, but will be provided to people participating in the program when they receive their voucher.
- Electrical components that are national lab certified (UL listed or NSF/ETL/CSA Certified);
- Two or three wheels and fully operable pedals; AND
- An electric motor that is 750 watts or less and cannot be gas-powered.
There is no restriction on the class of e-bikes eligible for this program.
