Santa Cruz has started a rebate program offering between $200-$400 to downtown workers who buy an electric bike.
The program is for downtown workers enrolled in GO Santa Cruz, a two-year-old countywide program that supports and rewards commuters for choosing alternatives to driving to work such as riding a bike, taking the bus or walking.
Downtown Santa Cruz employees enrolled in the program are eligible for additional benefits including free bus passes, bike locker cards and downtown dollars, as well as zero-interest bike loans up to $1,500, free 1:1 bike commute consultations and free two-week-long e-bike test rides.
Downtown workers in the program who make low incomes can qualify for a $400 rebate and others can apply for one of $200.
“Purchasing a quality bike can be an expensive roadblock to committing to an alternative commute,” said Claire Gallogly, a transportation planner for the city. “The e-bike pilot program was designed to help more people purchase bikes to not only use for their work commute, but also enjoy in our beautiful town.”
City officials said bike shops from all over Santa Cruz County are partnering with GO Santa Cruz to provide their expertise, inventory and exclusive offers to rebate recipients.
Those eligible can enroll in the GO Santa Cruz program, which is run by the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission.
More information about the rebate program is available online.