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A not-for-profit public power provider announced Tuesday a new incentive program providing instant rebates for the purchase of new electric bicycles in Alameda County.
Through its Ava Bike Electric program, host company Ava Community Energy intends to expand access to e-bikes, reduce transportation-related carbon emissions and support local businesses, including in the Tri-Valley, officials said in a statement.
Program host Ava Community Energy generates electricity for over two million customers in Alameda County and the cities of Tracy, Stockton and Lathrop. (Image courtesy of Ava)
Approximately 600 rebates, ranging from $400 to $1,500, will be distributed on a monthly basis through a random selection process. Funded with $10 million, the program is set to distribute 8,200 to 9,200 rebates between now and September 2026. These rebates can be applied at participating bike shops.
Customers of Ava, as well as residents of Alameda County who are 18 years or older, are eligible to participate in the program.
“Ava is dedicated to increasing access to cleaner energy and enabling the adoption of products that take advantage of it,” Ava CEO Howard Chang said in a statement. “We are proud to do our part to further e-bike adoption with the Ava Bike Electric program.”
Ava officials tout e-bikes as a fun and carbon-free option for convenient commutes, errands, outings and recreation.
“Consumers are discovering that the electric option — be that a car, an induction cooktop, a heat pump, or a bike — is not only greener, it’s just a better experience,” Chang said. “What’s more, research shows that over half the daily trips taken in the U.S. are under three miles. Shifting even a portion of those trips from a gas-powered car to an e-bike would have an outsized impact on our residents’ health, the economy and air quality.”
Per the program’s process, interested participants may submit an online application, according to Ava’s website. One application is viable for three consecutive monthly drawings, each taking place on the fourth Tuesday of the month.
Over 40% of the program funds are reserved for eligible income-qualified applicants who are enrolled in California Alternate Rates for Energy, Family Electric Rate Assistance or Energy Assistance Program.
The selected applicants will receive an email with a rebate code and a specific rebate amount. The winners can then redeem the rebate at any participating bike shop within 60 days.
The funds can be used for three different types of e-bikes including standard, cargo and adaptive. The base rebate is $400 for standard and $900 for cargo and adaptive. Income-qualified rebates are elevated to $1,000 for standard and $1,500 for cargo and adaptive.
Participating shops in the Tri-Valley are Superfly Wheels in Pleasanton, Trek Bicycle Livermore, Pedego Electric Bikes in Livermore, Dublin Cyclery and Trek Bicycle Dublin, according to Ava. Other participating shops are located in Castro Valley, Fremont, Berkeley, Oakland, the city of Alameda, Tracy and Stockton.
“We urge everybody to apply,” said Mike Ralph, store manager of Trek Bicycle Livermore. “Not everybody’s going to come out of it ahead with a voucher, but it’s a great program that I think is going to make a big difference.”
Included in the program’s $10 million budget is $4 million of funding from the Alameda County Transportation Commission.
“Expanding affordable access to e-bikes directly advances the Commission’s goals to support a transportation system that is both sustainable and equitable and advances innovation,” Alameda CTC Executive Director Tony Tavares said in a statement. “Alameda CTC is proud to deliver on Measure BB’s promise to invest in active transportation and improve quality of life in Alameda County.”
The upcoming selection date for the Ava Bike Electric program is scheduled to take place July 22. For more information, visit AvaEnergy.org/bike-electric.
Ava generates electricity for over two million residents and commercial customers in Alameda County and the cities of Tracy, Stockton and Lathrop.
