New Study Suggests Public Is Enthusiastic About E-BIKE Act Tax Credit
A new bill proposed by Congress would make it pay to ride an e-bike—literally—and most people are big fans.
A recent study by eBikes.org surveyed 1,000 residents in major U.S. cities and found that 7 out of 10 major city residents support the recently proposed Electric Bicycle Incentive Kickstart for the Environment (E-BIKE) Act. If passed, the act would cover 30 percent of the cost of a new e-bike and incentivize Americans to trade their car for an e-bike for short trips and errands around town.
The study found that nearly half of major city residents (47 percent) are “extremely likely” to use an e-bike if the tax credit passes. Some residents found that the $1,500 tax credit should be higher, but even those holdouts said they would consider switching to an e-bike if the credit were doubled to $3,000—which tells us that for many, it’s simply a matter of having access to a bike.
More residents using an e-bike for shorter trips around town also has secondary benefits; it means reduced vehicle traffic and improved air quality. It also means a better quality of life—bikes are proven to reduce stress and increase overall health.
The act failed to pass in 2021 but has lots more supporters now, two years later, largely thanks to bumped-up benefits. According to The Verge, the 2021 version capped the tax credit on an e-bike at $800, just over half of the bill’s new iteration.
Other numbers have improved, too. Under the new version, only bikes that cost more than $8,000 would not be eligible for the tax credit, an increase over the amended version that capped the price at $4,000. Income levels are adjusted as well. To get the full credit, income must be less than $150,000 for a single filer or less than $300,000 for joint filers. The previous version set income caps at $75,000 and $150,000.
The study found that the cities where e-bike tax credit support is the highest in the U.S. include Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Atlanta, Chicago, and New York City.
Supporters who said they’d switch to using an e-bike if the legislation passes were especially encouraged by the environmental benefits of e-bikes, the potential for traffic congestion reduction, and increased access to alternative modes of transportation. Additionally, many respondents agreed that e-bike riding is excellent exercise for people of all ages and fitness levels.
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