Latest news with #lowerincome
WIRED
3 days ago
- Health
- WIRED
Can't Afford an Ebike? Borrow One for Free From a Lending Library
Michael Venutolo-Mantovani May 30, 2025 6:30 AM Programs that let people borrow an ebike for a few days at a time are blooming around the US. They're convenient for all, but they also provide free transport for those priced out of bike ownership. Photograph:All products featured on WIRED are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links. An ebike library is exactly what it sounds like: a place where people can borrow electric bikes for free for, in some instances, as long as a week. And lately, thanks to the growing popularity of ebikes, these lending libraries have begun to sprout up around America. According to some experts, ebike libraries serve two purposes: to expose potential buyers to the advantages of ebikes through a real-world test ride and to provide access to free transportation in or near lower-income communities. There are approximately 50 ebike libraries around the US, a number that has nearly doubled since 2022. Many of them are housed in local bike shops, though some are connected to traditional book-lending libraries. In many ways, ebikes have made cycling more accessible than ever. Their electric motors flatten hilly areas, where biking can be strenuous, allowing anyone who knows how to ride a bike to climb almost any hill. They enable easier commutes and around-town errands more than traditional bikes. They lighten the load of towing kids around, whether to school or simply for recreation. They ease the weight of a bike loaded with two or three or four bags of groceries. Because of this, ebikes have exploded in popularity over the past few years. According to a 2023 study published by the US Department of Energy, ebike sales in the US grew fourfold from 2018 to 2022, from 287,000 to over 1.1 million. By 2024, that number doubled, with around 2.05 million electric bikes sold in America. On a recent trip to New York City—where I visit often and almost exclusively travel via the city's CitiBike bikeshare program—though traditional CitiBikes were plentiful, the models with electric pedal-assist motors were almost always all spoken for. Even though ebikes have gotten cheaper in recent years, the price remains a major barrier of entry. The cheapest reliable ebike you can find is the Aventon Soltera.2, which will set you back around $1,100. If you want something with additional seating to haul your children around, you're looking at the Lectric XPedition 2.0, which costs about $1,400. Prices can easily climb into the mid-five-figure range, while some high-end ebikes retail in excess of $10,000. Where ebikes have given people more options when it comes to pedal-powered transportation, ebike libraries have made access more equitable. The scope, scale, and function of these libraries vary from city to city. For example, Montpelier, Vermont's library loans bikes by the week, from Saturday to Saturday. Farther south, in the Vermont town of Brattleboro, residents can borrow one of three ebikes for six days, checking them out on Fridays and returning them the following Wednesdays, allowing the library to charge the battery and make any necessary repairs on Thursdays. In California, residents of the city of Elk Grove can borrow ebikes from the lending library for as long as three weeks. One trend that seems to be growing in newer libraries is the idea of short-term loans, which can better facilitate usage for running errands or even taking a recreational spin around town. Madison, Wisconsin's ebike library has been one of the most robust in America over the past few years. Known as the Community Pass Program, it offers free usage of the city's Madison BCycle ebike-sharing program through the city's libraries. Unlike CitiBike, Washington, DC's Capital Bikeshare, or Chicago's Divvy, all of which require a credit-card-linked account for use, a Bcycle can be unlocked with a fob obtained for free at any of the city's nine library branches. All you need is a Madison library card. The fobs can be checked out for as long as a week. (The program is currently on hold through the summer while it undergoes program updates.) While Madison's library—and therefore its residents' access to BCycles—spans much of the city, several cities are strategically placing their ebike libraries in or near lower-income communities, offering a free means of transportation to people who might struggle otherwise with a bikeshare program or who are less likely to own a car. 'It costs a minimum of $8,000 a year to own and operate a car in our country,' says Arleigh Greenwald, a former bike shop owner and YouTube influencer focused on ebike travel. 'And if it's not required to own a car in order to live where you live, you've now made a person's annual cost of living so much less. If you require someone to drive to get to an affordable housing unit, it's no longer affordable.' Meanwhile, the town of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, has a lending library connected to a progressive halfway house called Tomorrow's Neighbors. The library provides any of its 20 ebikes for its temporary residents who might be commuting to jobs, looking for work, or simply in need of exercise or recreation. 'In that case, not only is it addressing a transportation need but it's helping reduce recidivism,' says Michael Galligano, CEO of Shared Mobility, national nonprofit based in Buffalo, New York, that aims to make transportation easier and more equitable. Smaller cities and towns simply may not have the funds, the initiative, or the interest to install a citywide network of bike-sharing options. 'Having free access to ebikes is not a hard sell,' Galligano says. 'But where the rubber meets the pavement is the community helping to organize these programs' Some places have welcomed dock-free bikeshare companies such as Lime, but those cost a fee to unlock then the user is charged each minute they're riding In Chapel Hill, North Carolina, a fleet of 100 Tar Heel Bikes—which are provided by Lime competitor Bird—can be found around the town and throughout the campus at UNC–Chapel Hill. However, those cost $1 to unlock plus 29 cents each minute they're ridden. On the other hand, the town of Chapel Hill recently announced a free ebike library, which is housed in a pair of local bike shops and is operated by town officials. According to the official announcement, the program was funded through a $129,010 grant from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant, along with an additional $50,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act. Through that library, town residents aged 18 and older can borrow a standard ebike, a cargo ebike, or an electric tricycle for as little as a few hours and as long as a week. Users are also provided with a combination lock, a charging cable, and a helmet. 'Most of them have been two- to three-day rentals,' says Brian Van Cleve, a longtime staffer at Trek Chapel Hill, which, along with local shop The Bicycle Chain, is participating in the library. 'People who are interested in buying an ebike want more than a 20-minute test ride. But we've had someone here who needed a bike because they were working Doordash.' As ebikes continue to grow in popularity, the appetite for ebike libraries is expanding in concert. Galligano pointed out that Shared Mobility fields calls every week from municipalities around the US, all interested in starting an ebike library. 'These programs are launching all over the place, because cities see a need for equitable and affordable transportation,' Galligano says. 'And yeah, there's an environmental impact, there's a health impact, yeah there's a transportation impact. But there's a mental impact, too. You have to see people's faces sometimes. It's the first time they've been on a bike in years, and you can see how happy they are just being able to bike.'
Fox News
09-05-2025
- Business
- Fox News
Trump defends idea of raising taxes on wealthiest Americans: 'It's good politics'
As Republicans search for avenues to extend President Donald Trump's 2017 tax cuts, some Republican lawmakers involved in the process have floated the idea that the nation's highest earners could see a tax increase in order to usher in cuts for lower-earners. For his part, the president is sending signals he tends to agree. "You know, they'll go around saying, 'Oh, this is so terrible.' What you're doing is you're giving up something up top in order to make people in the middle income and the lower income brackets save more. So it's really a redistribution," Trump told reporters when asked what his response would be to those Republicans opposed to tax increases on the wealthy. "I would love to be able to give people in a lower bracket a big break by giving up some of what I have," the president added. He also noted that the move is just "good politics," dismissing comparisons some political experts have made to one-term Republican President George H.W. Bush, whose broken promise to Republicans that there would be "no new taxes" following his 1988 election victory has been blamed Bush's failed re-election efforts. "Read my lips: No new taxes," Bush Sr. said during his acceptance speech at the 1988 Republican National Convention. Subsequently, in the face of a ballooning deficit, Bush Sr. ultimately cut a deal with Democrats that raised taxes. "A lot of people say, don't do it because of the fact that you have the Bush statement about 'Read my lips.' But he lost because of Ross Perot, he didn't lose because of that statement," Trump said. "I actually think it's good politics to do it where richer people give up. And it's a very small – it's like a point – but they give it up to benefit the people on lower income." In a post on his Truth Social platform earlier Friday, Trump struck a slightly more cautious tone about the alleged concern that his willingness to increase taxes on the highest earners could spell trouble for him electorally the way it did for Bush Sr. He complained that Democrats would point to it repeatedly in an effort to discredit him. However, Trump still contended that the elder President Bush lost because of more than just his broken tax promises, and added that while Republicans should probably not increase taxes on the wealthy, he would be okay with it if they were to do so. "The problem with even a 'TINY' tax increase for the RICH, which I and all others would graciously accept in order to help the lower and middle income workers, is that the Radical Left Democrat Lunatics would go around screaming, 'Read my lips,' the fabled Quote by George Bush the Elder that is said to have cost him the Election," Trump wrote Friday on Truth Social. "NO, Ross Perot cost him the Election! In any event, Republicans should probably not do it, but I'm OK if they do!!"
E&E News
08-05-2025
- Automotive
- E&E News
California drivers could pay an extra $700 a year for gasoline
California motorists could pay an additional 50 cents for a gallon of gas — about $700 a year — if the state Legislature reauthorizes a cap-and-trade program that reduces carbon emissions, a report released Wednesday said. The additional costs would be 'particularly burdensome for lower-income households,' which generally spend a larger share of their income on automobile fuel than richer households, the report said. But at the same time, reauthorizing the cap-and-trade program through 2045 would generate as much as $260 billion from carbon emitters that must pay for pollution allowances. Some of the money would fund emissions-reduction project. Advertisement The outcomes are described in a report by the nonpartisan state Legislative Analyst's Office that lists options for the legislature to consider as it moves to reauthorize cap and trade. The program is authorized through 2030. Legislators and Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom hope to extend authority for the program by the end of 2025 — a move expected to increase the cost of pollution allowances.
Free Malaysia Today
08-05-2025
- Automotive
- Free Malaysia Today
Reality check: the true cost of owning a car
What's the real price of owning a car? Are you ready for the responsibility? PETALING JAYA : Been eyeing that dream car? Much like having a baby, owning a car is a big responsibility. It's not just about driving one, it's also about taking care of it – and that requires money and time. So, if you're thinking of buying a car, it's best to prepare yourself before taking on the financial commitment. Ask yourself: 'What's better for me, new or pre-owned? What can I afford to buy and maintain? What's the real cost of owning a car?' First, what to choose – new or pre-owned? All the pros and cons to consider when deciding on your next car. Cars are expensive in Malaysia, and a survey by CARSOME shows that Malaysians – especially middle and lower-income groups, prefer buying a used vehicle as opposed to a new one. So, consider these seven key points: price and depreciation; safety and insurance; waiting time; maintenance costs; warranty; down payment; and range of choices. Let's take a B-segment sedan/hatchback of average price and examine its loan repayment based on the following: a chosen loan tenure; insurance, maintenance costs, fuel cost, and other factors. Excludes loan repayment beyond five years. Does not include depreciation (resale value impact). Above estimated figures (based on common assumptions for a non-national B-segment car priced around RM90,000) provide a general idea of cost of ownership over a five-year period. Actual running costs may vary depending on the vehicle model, loan terms, maintenance habits, driving style, and fuel price fluctuations. New cars depreciate in value very fast but they function well, require less maintenance, and last longer than pre-owned cars. Used cars, however, are much more affordable, you may not even require a loan, and probably save you money in the long run. Then there's the question of availability. Do you want your car immediately, or are you willing to wait for your new one, and for how long? CARSOME's co-founder and chief executive officer (CEO) Eric Cheng expects a short- to medium-term shortage of new car supplies or delays in new car deliveries due to the global shortage of car parts coupled with disruptions to car assembly and manufacturing plants locally. 'As such, the used car industry is in a good position for growth as there is no waiting time for car delivery,' he said. CARSOME's research also found that the popularity of online used car selling platforms has increased. 'With the rising cost of ownership many buyers are shifting towards fuel-efficient and reliable second-hand vehicles,' Cheng added. So, what about costs? Used cars may be more affordable than new cars, but how reliable are they? In this case, CARSOME-certified cars offer a good middle ground between price and quality, with great benefits like excellent warranty plans and thorough inspections, assuring high standards. 'Our end-to-end buying journey takes away the concerns which are common in a traditional used car buying experience. CARSOME Certified is the new standard for buying pre-owned cars backed up by our 175-point inspection together with our CARSOME Certified Refurbishment Process,' says CARSOME. CARSOME offers long-term savings with special bundle service packages. Why choose CARSOME-certified cars? Apart from the guarantee of quality, and the hassle-free process of choosing and buying the car that meets your budget and needs, CARSOME also offers other benefits such as bundle service packages, deals and special promotions that give you long-term savings. They also offer exceptional facilities and support; from obtaining car insurance to comprehensive finance options – helping you to secure a loan. Their processes are easy to navigate and stress-free as they handle all the paperwork for you too. CARSOME also offers a five-day money-back guarantee and fixed pricing with no hidden fees, so you have that rather important added benefit – peace of mind. Now that you've weighed the options, considered the pros and cons, and made up your mind to choose a CARSOME-certified pre-owned car, visit CARSOME now.
Bloomberg
07-05-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
South Africa's Ramaphosa Unveils New Reforms to Stoke Growth
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa unveiled the second phase of a reform program aimed at firing up an economy that's grown by an average of less than 1% annually over the past decade, with measures planned to fix dysfunctional municipalities and drive the adoption of digital technologies. Implementation of the program will be overseen by Operation Vulindlela, a unit that was established in 2020 and answers to the Presidency and the National Treasury. Its other new priorities, which were agreed by the cabinet in March, will include providing lower-income earners with accommodation that will give them better access to economic opportunities.
