Getting Around Our Work

Low-income residents can apply for E-bike lottery

Eligible individuals and households can apply by March 8 for new program, which will include maintenance, helmet, locks, and training for up to 50 households.

Published:

February 16, 2023

Last Updated:

March 17, 2023

Low income Berkeley residents – such as a family of four making less than $106,000 annually or an individual making less than $74,200 – can apply for a lottery to get an electric bike for long-term use as part of a city-funded program.

The 50 selected households – who can also qualify if they participate in SNAP, PG&E CARE, or Medicaid – would pay a $100 refundable deposit and get an electric bike, helmet, bicycle locks, lights, and training on safe riding.

Those households will also receive free check-ups and maintenance for at least a year from Waterside Workshops, a nonprofit partner with GRID Alternatives and the City of Berkeley as part of the Berkeley E-Bike Equity Project.

Anyone in Berkeley can use electric bikes at a lower cost through shared bike and scooter companies. These tools also allow residents to tie into the city’s bike boulevards, a network of lower-traffic, calmed roads designed to enhance safety and convenience for those on scooters and bikes.

Eligible residents can apply online by March 8 to enter the e-bike lottery.

Resident eligibility requirements for program

Residents 18 years or older can apply and be entered into a lottery for the e-bikes, which will be delivered from April through June.

The program prioritizes applicants who earn less than 80% of the Area Median Income, as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The size of the household affects the income limit.

Households can also qualify by participating in a range of public programs such as:

Find more income eligibility information on the Berkeley E-Bike Equity Project application.

Interested applicants can access computers at any of Berkeley’s public library branches. For application assistance, contact Waterside Workshops at (510) 644-2577, or visit in person at 84 Bolivar Drive Tuesday – Sunday, noon – 6:00 pm.

Turn car trips into bike trips

Electric bikes, or e-bikes, are faster and more convenient than traditional non-electric bikes and are gaining popularity in our bike-friendly Bay Area climate. E-bikes can help:

provide a boost on hills, long commutes, and recreational rides
carry cargo, including young children, over long distances
save money on gas and public transportation when commuting
improve mental and physical health, as a form of exercise or recreation
reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel vehicles, the largest driver of climate change in Berkeley and beyond

Learn more about e-bikes at an upcoming webinar.

Climate Equity Pilot supports access to clean transportation and building upgrades

The Berkeley E-Bike Equity Project is funded by the City of Berkeley’s Climate Equity Pilot Fund, a pool of money authorized by the City Council to provide benefits to – and elevate the voices of – low income and historically marginalized communities, the people most impacted by climate change.

As part of the E-Bike Equity Project funding, Waterside Workshops is also developing a new e-bike curriculum for its youth bicycle mechanics education program.

The City’s Climate Equity Pilot also funds electrification upgrades in buildings and access to resilience measures for income-qualified residents.

Use the online application to apply by March 8 for a chance to receive an e-bike to start your fun, healthy, and emission-free ride.