U.S. Reps. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) introduced legislation Tuesday encouraging the use of electric bicycles, or e-bikes.
The Electric Bicycle Incentive Kickstart for the Environment (E-BIKE) Act would create a consumer tax credit that would cover up to 30 percent of the cost of an electric bicycle, up to $1,500, that is fully refundable and applies to all new electric bicycles that cost less than $8,000.
“E-bikes are not just a fad for a select few, they are a legitimate and practical form of transportation that can help reduce our carbon emissions,” Panetta said. “My legislation will make it easier for more people from all socio-economic levels to own e-bikes and contribute to cutting our carbon output. By incentivizing the use of electric bicycles to replace car trips through a consumer tax credit, we can not only encourage more Americans to transition to greener modes of transportation but also help fight the climate crisis.”
The legislators said they hope that due to the distance, speed, and ease with which e-bikes can travel, electronic bicycles would replace vehicle trips and commutes, reducing carbon emissions.
A recent study indicated that if 15 percent of car trips were replaced by e-bike trips, carbon emission would drop by 12 percent. European studies have shown that e-bike trips replaced car trips 47 to 76 percent of the time. In America, e-bike commuting has replaced 46 percent of automobile commute trips.
“One of the few positive developments of the last year has been the surge in biking. Communities large and small are driving a bike boom. Notably, electric bicycles are expanding the range of people who can participate and making bike commuting even easier,” said Blumenauer, the founder and co-chair of the Congressional Bike Caucus. “I look forward to working with Congressman Panetta on this important expansion of cycling opportunities.”
The legislation is endorsed by PeopleForBikes, the League of American Bicyclists, Bike Santa Cruz County, and others.
“Incentivizing electric bicycles makes them a competitive transportation option for more Americans and supports a national effort to lower carbon emissions,” said PeopleForBikes CEO Jenn Dice. “The E-BIKE Act positions rightfully electric bicycles as a critical part of a larger solution to climate change and equitable mobility. We’re grateful to Congressman Panetta for leading the charge in Congress.”