New act introduced to encourage use of e-bikes
SALINAS, Calif. (KION) Congressman Jimmy Panetta introduced a new bill to incentivize residents to use more e-bikes to reduce carbon emissions.
The E-Bike Act is a consumer tax credit that:
- covers 30% of the cost of the electric bicycle, up to $1,500 credit.
- applies to new electric bicycles that cost less than $8,000.
- is fully refundable, allowing lower-income residents workers to claim the credit.
Gina Cole, Director of Bike Santa Cruz County, says that she feels that e-bikes are a game changer.
"E-bikes really are a game changer for a lot of people. They have given an older set of bike riders a new lease on life so to speak as far as being able to get out and be active. The bikes with the pedal assist really do help people get uphill and reduce barriers for people riding bikes," says Cole.
There could be environmental benefits with supporters of the bill believing that this could reduce carbon emissions by 12% if 15% of people decided to use an e-bike instead of a car.
Mari Lynch with Bicycling Monterey says having this tax rebate means having more affordable transportation for residents.
Some residents from San Jose like Candice Carrera feel that this is a step in the right direction towards a greener environment.
"I think that's a great idea because pollution has always been a problem and it's defintely good to go green and make that change," says Carrera.
However, with a potential increase of bike riders on the streets, this could mean more accidents on the streets.
The DMV states that in California about 100 bicyclists are killed and over 10,00 are injured in collisions which may cause some hesitation to purchases and share a road with drivers.
