Electric Bikes and Bike Share Equity Programs: Bridging the Access Gap

It's no secret that electric bikes are becoming more and more popular. They offer a sustainable and efficient way to get around, and they're a blast to ride. But there's one big problem with electric bikes: they're expensive. A good quality electric bike can cost upwards of $1,000, which is out of reach for many people.

That's where bike share programs come in. Bike share programs are a great way to get people on electric bikes without the upfront cost. And while most bike share programs are geared towards people who can afford it, there are a growing number of programs that are working to make bike share more accessible to low-income riders.

Here are a few examples of bike share programs that are working to close the access gap:

1. Bikeshare Hawaii's Community Pass

Bikeshare Hawaii's Community Pass is a discounted membership program for low-income residents of Hawaii. The program offers a 50% discount on annual memberships, and riders can use the bikes for free for the first hour of each ride.

2. Portland's BIKETOWN for All

Portland's BIKETOWN for All is a discounted bike share program for low-income residents of Portland, Oregon. The program offers a 50% discount on annual memberships, and riders can use the bikes for free for the first two hours of each ride.

3. San Francisco's Bay Area Bike Share Equity Program

San Francisco's Bay Area Bike Share Equity Program is a discounted bike share program for low-income residents of the Bay Area. The program offers a 50% discount on annual memberships, and riders can use the bikes for free for the first two hours of each ride.

These are just a few examples of the many bike share programs that are working to make electric bikes more accessible to everyone. If you're interested in getting involved in a bike share equity program, contact your local bike share operator to see what options are available in your area.

Sep 02, 2023