BIG NEWS! Province Launches E-bike Rebate Program
June 1, 2023
UPDATE (June 5, 2023)
According to the province's Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, the new program received 12,000 applications within the first 24 hours of its launch on June 1.
4,000 people who applied within the first eight hours received approval for the rebate immediately. The remaining 8,000 applications have been placed on a waitlist for staff to process applications.
People can still request to be placed on the waitlist by filling out the form on bcebikerebates.ca.
As per the ministry update, being on the waitlist does not guarantee you will receive a rebate.
After many years of tireless campaigning, advocacy, and hard work, we are thrilled to announce that the provincial government today launched an income-qualified rebate program for purchasing new e-bikes.
Starting today (June 1, 2023), rebates on purchasing an approved e-bike will be available to B.C. residents and will be based on a person’s income. Rebates will range from $350 to a maximum of $1,400, and unlike previous programs, scrapping a car to access the rebate is unnecessary. The Province will be investing over $6 million in rebates, allowing up to 9,000 people to lower the cost of their e-bike purchase. Details about the rebate program, including information on how to apply, are available at bcebikerebates.ca.
With concerns over climate change intensifying and the need for eco-friendly active transportation options growing, the BC Provincial Government has demonstrated proactive leadership by introducing the income-qualified e-bike rebate program. By incentivizing the use of electric bicycles, people will now have the opportunity to reduce the vehicle kilometres travelled in personal vehicles while maintaining a healthier, cheaper, and more sustainable lifestyle.
Want an e-bike but not sure where to start, or do you want to feel more confident riding an e-bike?
Check out HUB Cycling's E-Bike Education Resources, including the free webinar below, for more info.
FREE WEBINAR
HUB Cycling is hosting a free virtual webinar for anyone interested
in learning more about the rebate and purchasing an e-bike.
Tuesday, June 27 - 12 - 1 PM PST
Find out more and register here.
One of the program's most commendable aspects is its focus on inclusivity. The government has ensured that individuals from all economic backgrounds can benefit from the program by implementing an income-qualified approach. This targeted approach will ensure that low-income individuals and families are not left behind and can get up to a maximum of $1,400 rebate in transitioning to sustainable active transportation.
We recommend the ministry continue to build on this momentum by increasing the annual investment in the rebate program and introducing other incentives, such as subsidies for adaptive bikes that allow people with disabilities to use active transportation or micro mobilities. These improve affordability and reduce congestion and emissions.
The Clean Transportation Action Plan that the BC Government is currently developing will have many other researched recommendations for improving equity and access to active transportation. HUB Cycling supports the increased investment that will be needed to activate evidence-based innovations and programs that get more people cycling more often.
How can you support our advocacy work?
If possible, consider making a donation to HUB Cycling and support our advocacy work in expanding the cycling network across the region. Your support enables us to make an impact on people of all ages and abilities, and promote access to cycling across regional and diverse communities.
What is the Impact of Your Generous Gift?
- $2,500 will help us develop programs for communities facing social, cultural, and/or financial barriers to cycling.
- $1,500 helps us maintain and expand our letter-writing tool to enable British Columbians to communicate directly with decision-makers about the importance of investing in improved cycling in BC.
- $500 helps us hire community event partners like the Binner's Project, a like-minded not-for-profit working towards enabling marginalized residents in Downtown Eastside to improve their economic opportunities and ensure recyclables stay out of landfill.
- $250 helps us provide infrastructure research support needed for an advocacy project like the ‘Main2Marine’ route connecting Dundarave with Ambleside in West Vancouver.
- $100 will help HUB organize online learning to encourage people of all ages and abilities to bike, like our Biking for Mental Health webinar.
