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Boston Globe

Massachusetts launches statewide e-bike incentive program

'We want this to be the decision maker and truly enable access to a transportation option that would not otherwise be available,' said Rachel Ackerman, senior program director at MassCEC. As e-bikes, which average $2,000 to purchase, have soared in popularity, discounts as a strategy to cut back on road congestion and climate-warming emissions from cars. Advertisement Massachusetts is staggering its rollout of 3,000 vouchers over a six-month period. Two tiers of rebates are determined by income, and can reach up to $1,200 in discounts at participating brick-and-mortar retailers. 'We do think it will sell out,' said Elijah Sinclair, program manager at MassCEC. 'We already are seeing a ton of demand.' Initially, about 500 vouchers will be equally distributed Advertisement 'E-bikes are magic carpets. These things flatten hills. They shorten distances. They allow you to arrive at your destination without big exertion,' making them a functional choice for performing errands or traveling to work, said Scott Mullen, transportation demand management director at the Boston-based nonprofit A Better City. 'They help people make connections where transit is lacking.' State lawmakers first Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Massachusetts, Most trips that people take in the state, take up far less of the road with no tailpipe emissions. 'The gridlock isn't working,' Mullen said. 'There's tremendous value there because, as we know, we're On a smaller scale, e-bike pilot programs have already proven successful in the state. In the spring of 2022, Advertisement Around 1,000 e-bikes have been deployed, and participants have logged over 300,000 miles, which were tracked on individual bikes with monitors and reported weekly. Early findings from the Greater Boston program show about In Worcester, the e-bike pilot was led by MassBike, which did outreach to marginalized populations, including immigrants, people with disabilities, and seniors on fixed income, said Galen Mook, the group's executive director. In the first phase alone, more than 1,200 people applied. There were only 100 e-bikes to give out. Two-year-old Levi was parked beside a row of e-bikes checking them out outside of Radical Adventures. Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff 'So I am super excited that the state is going to scale this up ... rural, suburban, ex-urban, really, there's the opportunity for e-bikes to fit into all sorts of lifestyles,' Mook said, adding that the program should yield quick results. 'It's going to be a lot harder to retrofit all of our aging housing, but it's going to be an almost instantaneous return if we get people to think about biking instead of driving.' Emily Galante, an elementary school teacher in Worcester, received her e-bike for free in exchange for participating in the program. Having it has been 'absolutely transformative,' she said. These days, Galante, 39, regularly cycles through the hilly city to work — a 15 or so minute commute by car that now takes her maybe five minutes longer. 'I love showing up and the kids asking me about it,' she said. Advertisement In Boston, the city has been running its 'We really see distribution across all of the neighborhoods,' said Kim Foltz, program manager of Boston Bikes, noting that 510 people redeemed their vouchers during the first cycle. Bike stores that took part in Boston's program also reported an increase in sales. As of January, nearly $785,000 in e-bikes and equipment had been sold to voucher holders, according to the city. The same rang true for the state's pilot initiatives. 'All these sales were sales that they otherwise would not have made ... truly this is an additional stream of income,' Ackerman said. For the new statewide program, the agency has reached out to over 150 retailers, and many have already signed up to accept the vouchers, said Sinclair. That includes Faneuil Hall. A flier posted on the entrance advertises its participation in the city's incentive program. Inside the shop, both floors are lined with shiny, high tech-looking e-bikes. Radical Adventures co-owner Charlie Stark posed for a portrait inside the e-bike store he owns with his father. Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff Steve Stark, 59, who runs the business with his son, Charlie Stark, 21, said they have been able to serve a new demographic of customers — no longer just the older crowd and typical 'weekend warrior' — and are excited about expanding that reach to residents across Massachusetts. Advertisement 'We think it's fantastic,' he said. 'It gets people outside and moving. It's a great transportation alternative.' In Colorado, the early leader on e-bike rebates, the state has committed to a long-term, 'For a relatively modest expenditure of funds ... we're really able to give people new choices about how they get around,' said Will Toor, executive director of the Colorado Energy Office, who encouraged similar models. But that's far away from becoming reality in Massachusetts. At least for now. Before that next step, Ackerman said they need more data — and more money. 'We want to make sure that every voucher ... truly is making a difference in somebody's life,' she said. Shannon Larson can be reached at