Boulder to launch new e-bike voucher lottery exclusively for income-qualified residents

The City of Boulder will open another lottery for e-bike vouchers on Sept. 16, this time exclusively for lower-income residents.

The city is offering vouchers of up to $2,100 for standard e-bikes and up to $2,700 for cargo and adaptive e-bikes, the latter of which are designed for people with mobility needs. The voucher amount varies, with lower-income residents eligible for higher discounts.

These vouchers provide a point-of-sale discount on certain e-bikes at participating bike shops in Boulder County. The city plans to publish a list of these shops later this month.

A key goal of the program is to reduce the number of cars on city streets, in part to lower greenhouse gas emissions and ozone-forming pollution. The initiative comes as the share of city workers commuting from outside Boulder is growing, likely due to the city’s high housing costs.

The city has allocated $300,000 for approximately 100 vouchers, according to a city official. Funding for the program comes from the city’s climate tax, which is paid by energy utilities and passed on to customers through utility bills. The city had pledged to spend the climate tax revenue with a focus on equity.

When the city first offered these vouchers in July 2023, demand far exceeded supply, with over 1,200 applications for just 200 available e-bike vouchers, according to data provided to Boulder Reporting Lab. At that time, all residents were eligible for the rebate, though those with lower incomes could receive a higher voucher amount. Most applicants sought the income-qualified rebate.

This year, the program has been restricted to residents earning up to 80% of the area median income, which is $72,350 for an individual, according to federal guidelines.

“Results from the 2023 program displayed a need for targeted assistance for community members who may find it difficult to purchase an e-bike without a discount,” Julie Causa, a city spokeswoman, told Boulder Reporting Lab in an email. “The new and improved 2024 program aims to prioritize income equity as part of the city’s climate actions.” 

The city will distribute the vouchers through a two-week lottery beginning on Sept. 16. Applicants will be randomly selected, and those chosen must then provide proof of income and residency by Friday, Oct. 4, according to the city. 

The discount applies to Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes, which typically top out at 20 miles per hour. The vouchers cannot be used to purchase full-suspension mountain e-bikes or Class 3 e-bikes, which can reach speeds of 28 miles per hour. 

Separately, all Colorado residents are eligible for a $450 rebate through a statewide program. However, the state rebate cannot be combined with Boulder’s voucher on the same purchase.

These discounts are likely driving up sales of e-bikes at local shops. 

However, Russ Chandler, owner and general manager of Full Cycle, said the city’s cycling infrastructure needs to keep up. He said the city needs more separated and protected bike paths. One such path is planned for Iris Avenue. 

“Let’s not forget about the infrastructure,” Chandler told Boulder Reporting Lab. “Let’s make our streets safer. Let’s make our paths safer.”