February 4, 2024 - If a statewide e-bike incentive bill from Del. Josh Thomas, D-Gainesville, survives the upcoming General Assembly session, Virginia may become the second US state after Colorado to support electric bicycles in the fight against climate change, while impacting people’s mobility options reports the Virginia Mercury.
Following on the heels of Denver’s e-bike rebate success, Alexandria city officials, led by Councilwoman Sarah Bagley, have indicated the city’s intent to launch its own e-bike voucher program this coming summer.
While the world’s 280 million e-bikes (compared to just 20 million electric cars) are cutting global oil demand by about one million barrels a day, environmental benefits aren’t the only reason e-bike sales outpace electric car purchases nationwide last year by roughly 300,000 units – e-bikes are a fun and affordable alternative to driving.
Over half of all trips Americans take are under three miles; 28% are less than one mile. “The vast majority of people with e-bikes are replacing car trips with bike trips, indicating that they are overwhelmingly being used for transportation. Cargo bikes significantly expand the number of trips you can take on a bike such as grocery shopping or school runs,” said Jim Durham, advocacy director for the Virginia Bicycling Federation.
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