CLEER – the local clean-energy nonprofit that manages Garfield Clean Energy's programs – has announced a new program to make e-bikes affordable to lower-income residents, as part of a countywide strategy to increase clean mobility and reduce pollution.

The eBikeThere Garfield County program is offering 40 new e-bikes to income-qualified residents at the highly discounted price of $150. Each bike will come with a bike lock, pump, helmet, tune-up voucher and other accessories.

The program is open to county residents whose household income does not exceed 80% of the Area Median Income, which equates to $75,350 for a family of four. Program participants must attend an in-person training session and track their riding data every three months for a year.

Participants will be able to choose from two e-bike models, the Magnum Cosmo S (designed for commuting and light shopping) and the Magnum Payload (featuring an extended frame for more carrying capacity). Both are valued at over $2,000.

The eBikeThere program is funded through a grant from the Colorado Energy Office, with local matching funding provided by Garfield Clean Energy. The program’s retail partner is Colorado e-Bikes of Glenwood Springs.

To learn more and apply, see our eBikeThere page.  (May 5 update: the application period for this program has closed.)

Why e-bike?

E-bikes combine the environmental advantages of electric vehicles with the low cost, fun and health benefits of biking.

An e-bike is a bicycle with a battery-powered "assist." When you pedal, a small motor engages and gives you a boost. That's a big help on hills, and it makes it easier and faster to commute or travel longer distances than on a regular bike. An e-bike is easy to park and can go places a regular vehicle can’t go, enabling you to avoid traffic.

An e-bike is much cheaper to operate than a vehicle. Charging the bike’s battery from a home outlet costs just pennies. Maintenance is relatively simple and there are few moving parts that might need repair.

Finally, e-bikes make life better for everyone. They reduce traffic, produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions, eliminate tailpipe exhaust and reduce our reliance on non-renewable fuels. Plus, they’re less dangerous to pedestrians and others sharing the road.