Community members can test out climate-friendly e-bikes at E-Bike Expo on Saturday
EWEB is encouraging Eugene residents to ride into summer on clean, accessible e-bikes.
Customers can save money en route to lowering their greenhouse gas emissions by taking advantage of EWEB’s $300 e-bike rebate and riding into summer on a pair of new, green, electric wheels.
And for customers who aren’t sure if an e-bike is right for them, or which one to purchase, the City of Eugene is hosting its E-bike Expo this Saturday, June 15.
What: City of Eugene E-Bike Expo
When: Saturday, June 15 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Campbell Community Center (155 High St, Eugene)
The E-Bike Expo provides community members the opportunity to test drive several e-bike models and learn about some of the benefits of electric transportation. The event will feature local e-bike shop owners, community members sharing their experiences on their own e-bikes, instructional opportunities, food, music, bike tune-ups, free childcare and more. EWEB will provide attendees information about electric mobility rebates.
Transportation accounts for 54% of Eugene’s greenhouse gas emissions, making converting to an e-bike one of the most effective ways community members can help the city reduce emissions and fight climate change.
Because of their small size and light weight, e-bikes use far less energy than other modes of transportation. For instance, to move one mile, an electric vehicle (EV) can use 15 times more energy than an e-bike. And since EWEB’s electricity is approximately 90% carbon free, the emissions resulting from an average e-bike user hover close to zero.
EWEB offers a $300 rebate per electric bicycle, with a maximum of two per household. EWEB began offering the e-bike rebate in spring 2022 and has provided rebates for over 2,000 e-bikes over the past two years. EWEB’s transportation electrification efforts, including the e-bike rebate program, are funded by the Oregon Clean Fuels Program.
E-bikes are also more accessible to people of all income levels than other electric mobility options because of their lower cost.
“Purchasing an electric vehicle is not possible for many people in our community. But EWEB is bridging the gap in electric mobility accessibility through an EV car sharing program, community grants, and e-bike rebates,” said Juan Serpa Muñoz, who manages EWEB’s electric mobility programs. “E-bikes are far less expensive than EVs, so that can open the door to greater levels of access to electric mobility.”
EWEB’s e-bike rebate program is more than just a financial incentive; it is an investment in the future of the community. By making e-bikes more accessible, EWEB aims to:
- Promote sustainable transportation: Encourage the use of zero-emission vehicles and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
- Support health and wellbeing: Foster a more active lifestyle and provide an enjoyable way to travel around this beautiful city.
- Contribute to environmental goals: Align with the City of Eugene to meet ambitious environmental targets, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality.
There is room for e-bike usage to rise. Between 2014 and 2020, the number of Eugeneans who bike to work declined, while the number driving alone rose, according to a City of Eugene survey. Whether those numbers have changed since 2020 – and the rise of e-bikes – is unknown. At the same time, electric vehicle registrations in EWEB’s service territory have surged in recent years from less than 500 in 2017 to 4,500 in 2023.
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