PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — The city of Portland is working to make e-bikes more accessible for Portlanders, launching the new E-Bike Rebate Program, “Portland Rides,” next week.
The program will offer the opportunity for a discount rebate to eligible low-income individuals to purchase standard, cargo, or adaptive e-bikes for their own use.
The Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF) is investing $20 million over five years for the citywide program. The investment will provide more than 6,000 e-bikes through December 2029, according to the city.
To be eligible, an individual must live in Portland, be at least 18 years old, and have a household income at or below 60% of area median Income. An online e-bike safety training is also required.
Discounts of up to $1,600 will be offered for Standard e-bikes, up to $2,350 for Cargo e-bikes that can carry heavier loads or additional rides, and up to $300 for accessories like helmets, locks, and lights.
The storefront of Joe Bike in Southeast Portland. The bike shop is one of 20 local bike shops that will accept the rebates. (Jennifer Singh/KATU)
Rebates will be accepted at 20 local bike shops across Portland, including Joe Bike in Southeast Portland.
Schuyler Harrison, the owner of Joe Bike, said there has been a lot of anticipation and excitement for the program.
“We carry a few different brands of bikes — Kona, Marin, Salsa, Surly,” said Harrison. “And with those we’ll be doing regular Class 1, Class 2 bikes, as well as cargo bikes in a Class 1, Class 2.”
Harrison was a part of the initial soft launch of the program in fall 2025 for Portland Community College students from low-income communities.
“That allowed us to work with students and help them identify bikes that would meet their needs, and oftentimes, [they were] usually able to find bikes that were less than the rebate so that they were able to get a new bike without needing to spend any money out of pocket,” he said.
PCEF Transportation Decarbonization Program Manager Seetha Ream-Rao said Portland called the soft launch at PCC a “huge success” and said more than 100 eligible students obtained e-bikes through the program.
“Working with some of the students, I know there were folks that had been waiting for the program to roll out, and they were really excited about that, and I’m sure that the demand just in the general public will be high coming forward into the month of April,” said Harrison.
Ream-Roa said the city has a “deeply rooted bike culture” and said there’s a strong demand citywide for access to clean and affordable transportation.
“We continue to support our residents with access to convenient and affordable transportation options,” Ream-Rao said. “This new e-bike rebate program will make commuting more affordable for low-income households, support healthier communities, improve transportation access and help the city reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
Harrison said he believes this is a positive use of PCEF funds.
“We would like to see it extended to regular bikes as well, you know, non-electric bikes, but certainly when it comes to clean energy, we’re all for more bikes and less larger vehicles on the roads,” he said.
Harrison also said biking is the most cost-effective and convenient source of transportation.
“Depending on your living situation, it might not work out well for you to take public transportation, and similarly, the expense of having a car really stacks up, especially with gas prices and insurance being what they are,” he said. “So, without needing to worry about that with an electric bike, and being able to charge it relatively [quickly] and inexpensively, it’s a lot easier for folks to do that.”
Applications for Class 1 and 2 Standard and Class 1 and 2 Cargo e-bikes open on April 6 and will be open through July 24. Applications for customized e-bikes for individuals with disabilities or limited mobility open April 20. Rebate recipients will be randomly selected.
If you apply but are not selected on a rebate release date, you will be automatically re-entered into the application pool through 2029.
Harrison said those who do not know how to ride a bike, should still be encouraged to apply.
“Give it a try,” he said. “You’ve got really nothing to lose, especially with the rebate. It’s kind of like the best time ever to give bicycling a try if you’re one of the folks who’s lucky enough to get selected for the rebate.”
You can find more information about the program and participating bike shops here.
