E-bike programs

WSDOT is creating two new programs to help more people use electric bicycles, or e-bikes. These include an e-bike rebate pilot program known as WE-Bike and an e-bike lending libraries program. 

On this page you’ll learn about:

• How these programs are being developed
• Rebate eligibility requirements
• How to apply for an e-bike rebate
• University of Washington research related to the e-bike programs

Introducing WE-Bike

In 2025, the WE-Bike Program will provide eligible applicants statewide with more than $4 million in rebates to use when purchasing e-bikes.

E-bikes are great for many reasons. Here are just a few of the benefits they offer:  

• Making bike riding more accessible and comfortable
• Reducing household spending on vehicles and vehicle maintenance
• Helping people replace driving trips with bike rides
• Improving the health of people and the planet

Government e-bike rebate programs can make e-bikes more affordable for more people. These programs aren’t a new concept in North America: They’ve been popular where governments offer them and have helped people make bike riding a habit.

Our state Legislature created this pilot program through the 2024 supplemental transportation budget, which included $5 million for the research and development of a statewide e-bike rebate program. 

We started working on the program when funding became available in July 2023, and developed the basics of the program based on research produced in partnership with the University of Washington. We also completed a competitive process to identify an experienced, qualified vendor to build and deliver the program. The successful bidder, APTIM, has nationwide experience delivering e-bike rebate programs at the city, county and state levels. More details about the application process will soon become available both here and on APTIM’s dedicated program website, which is in development.

How to participate in the rebate program

Qualifying applicants will receive rebates for either $1,200 or $300. 

Qualifying applicants with a household income at or below 80% of the county-area median income will receive a rebate of $1,200. Applicants not meeting that income requirement will get a rebate of $300.

Not everyone who wants a voucher will get one. 

We expect to give out about 8,500 vouchers. Most of those will go to low-income households. There are about 3 million households in the state, and each household is limited to one rebate.

People must meet eligibility requirements to receive rebates.

In order to be eligible for rebates, applicants must:

• Reside in Washington state
• Be at least 16 years old
• Provide contact information when they apply, including a physical address, email address, phone number and demographic information

Rebate recipients can apply the rebate toward eligible e-bikes, bike helmets, bike lights, bike locks and any maintenance agreement sold at the time of purchase.

There are three classes of e-bike: Classes 1, 2 and 3. E-bikes classes boil down to distinctions based on motor style and maximum speed. Washington state defines e-bikes and their classes in this way (RCW:46.04.169):

"Electric-assisted bicycle" means a bicycle with two or three wheels, a saddle, fully operative pedals for human propulsion, and an electric motor. The electric-assisted bicycle's electric motor must have a power output of no more than seven hundred fifty watts. The electric-assisted bicycle must meet the requirements of one of the following three classifications:

• "Class 1 electric-assisted bicycle" means an electric-assisted bicycle in which the motor provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of twenty miles per hour;
• Class 2 electric-assisted bicycle" means an electric-assisted bicycle in which the motor may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle and is not capable of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of twenty miles per hour; or
• "Class 3 electric-assisted bicycle" means an electric-assisted bicycle in which the motor provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of twenty-eight miles per hour and is equipped with a speedometer."

Rebate recipients may purchase eligible e-bikes, e-trikes, or adaptive versions of either in any of these classes. E-mountain bikes are not eligible.

A list of eligible e-bike makes and models that meet safety criteria will be available on APTIM’s dedicated program website.

People can only use rebates at bike shops associated with the program. 

Eligible bike models and eligible bike shops will be listed on the upcoming application website.

These are single-use, point-of-sale rebates.

Rebate recipients can apply the rebate toward multiple items, but they have to purchase them all at once. The rebates cannot be applied retroactively. 

The program is designed to give people sufficient time to apply for rebates and submit required supporting documentation.

When the program launches this spring, people interested in receiving a rebate will have two weeks to enter their name into a pool for the chance at being selected. 

After that two-week period ends, all participants randomly selected to receive a rebate will have two weeks to send supporting documentation to APTIM via email in order to receive their rebates electronically. 

Recipients can then redeem their rebate during a single purchase at a participating bike shop. 

A helpline will be available for navigating the application process.

APTIM is identifying eligible bike shops to participate in the program. 

APTIM has compiled a list of more than 200 bikes shops across Washington state and will soon be contacting the shops to discuss eligibility requirements. We expect about 100 bike shops to be selected to receive and process rebate vouchers. APTIM will provide training to participating bike shops on how to work with rebates.

E-bike lending library pilot program

While many people are interested in e-bikes, they may not be ready or able to purchase them for various reasons. Communities across the country are launching e-bike lending libraries and ownership programs, or programs that make e-bikes available for people to borrow or loan-to-own.

When the Washington state Legislature passed the Move Ahead Washington transportation package in 2023, it allocated $2 million toward WSDOT establishing e-bike lending library and ownership grant programs. Funding for that program became available in July 2024.

In this program, we'll support partners developing local e-bike libraries. We may accept grant applications from other state entities, local governments and tribal governments that run, or plan to run, an e-bike lending library or ownership program to help their employees drive less. 

The department may also accept grant applications from nonprofit organizations or tribal governments that run, or plan to run, an e-bike lending library or ownership program that serves people who are low-income or reside in overburdened communities. Organizations that receive grants will share program information and participation data with the University of Washington, which will inform its report.

If you want to learn more about establishing an e-bike lending library and meet the criteria of a Tribe, government entity or non-profit, please email adele.peers@wsdot.wa.gov.

E-bike research

Academic researchers will soon be asking people who apply for e-bike rebates to join research efforts related to the WE-Bike Program. 

At the state Legislature’s direction, WSDOT contracted the University of Washington's Sustainable Transportation Lab to research e-bike programs and assess our own. Researchers have already published a general policy brief examining innovative e-bike rebate, lending library and ownership grant program models and making program design recommendations. The University will also produce reports analyzing survey results collected through the WE-Bike Program, and report on program information and data collected through the e-bike lending library and ownership grant programs.