Have you heard the big news out of Washington, D.C., this week?
No, not that news …
We’re talking about the Electric Bicycle Incentive Kickstart for the Environment Act, also known as the EBIKE Act (clever, right?), that was proposed Tuesday by U.S. House of Representatives co-sponsors Earl Blumenauer (Oregon) and Jimmy Panetta (California).
If passed, this legislation would provide a tax credit of 30 percent off (up to $1,500) a new electric bike priced at under $8,000. If you’re one of the many Americans who end up getting money back from the IRS around tax time, this could add to your refund. If you're eyeing a new Rad model, that's a potential average credit of $449 in your pocket.
In a statement, Panetta said that this proposal is rooted in the environmental benefits that come from more people jumping on an ebike rather than driving a car.
“Ebikes are not just a fad for a select few, they are a legitimate and practical form of transportation that can help reduce our carbon emission,” the Congressman explained. “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 legislation comes on the heels of other bicycle-friendly bills put forward by Blumenauer, the Co-Chair of the Congressional Bike Caucus, including some that would strengthen the nation’s cycling infrastructure and expand tax credits for commuters who bike to work.
“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,” Blumenauer said in a statement. “Notably, electric bicycles are expanding the range of people who can participate, making bike commuting even easier.”
Our mission from day one has been to revolutionize the world of mobility, and seeing concrete legislative action that’ll motivate more people to turn to ebikes is a surefire sign we’re on the right path.
But like so many bills floated in the nation’s capital, the EBIKE Act won’t pass without a few riders (some legislative humor for ya). In this case, that means Rad riders like you!
If you want to see a consumer tax credit for new ebikes, contact your Congressional representative and politely ask them to lend their support.
And keep an eye on this issue. We’re not counting on seeing this passed by peak riding season and there’s a long road ahead, including making it to the Senate!
