By Kathy Chouteau
Fancy a free new e-bike? The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) can make this dream a reality via its Clean Cars for All program, which is offering $7,500 grants to qualifying low-income residents from underserved communities to replace old, high-polluting cars with e-bikes.
“An e-bike (or electric bike) is a bicycle with a battery and electric motor that takes the sweat and effort out of bicycling. E-bikes make it practical to carry heavier loads, go longer distances and climb steep hills,” per BAAQMD on its website.
To qualify for the grant, applicants must have incomes at or below 400 percent of the current federal poverty level and live in zip codes defined by the State of California as disadvantaged communities (DACs) most impacted by various sources of pollution. According to BAAQMD, qualifying Richmond zip codes are: 94801, 94802, 94804, 94805 and 94806.
The grant can be used for up to one e-bike per household member, as well as related accessories like helmets, lights and cargo equipment. The remaining grant amount can be converted to Clipper public transit card credit.
For more info about the e-bike mobility option, click here. To learn more about the grants for e-bikes, email [email protected] or call (855) 256-3656.
