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E-bikes and commuter bikes get a boost from employers and government programs
September 5 2024 - 5 min read

E-bikes get a boost from employers and government programs

Everyone benefits: companies, cyclists, local bike shops, and the community

Zippy e-bikes are a fun way to get to work and now… zap! – a lightning rod for governments and employers eager to promote healthy lifestyles and greener commutes.

As city and state governments attempt to curb greenhouse gasses, e-bikes have become the go-to technology for cutting emissions quickly and meaningfully. More than 100 U.S. cities and states currently subsidize or plan to subsidize e-bike sales through consumer vouchers and discounts, according to Portland State University’s E-Bike Incentive Tracker (1).

Arriving in the U.S. just in time for this public policy groundswell, Lease a Bike is bringing its employer-sponsored bike leasing program to American workers. Since its founding, Lease a Bike has promoted sustainable transportation and healthier lifestyles – values reported to be important to a quarter of the American workforce, according to a 2023 consumer survey conducted by Deloitte (2). The number jumped far higher when respondents were asked if their employer should do more to invest in sustainability. A whopping 69% said yes!

“Lease a Bike’s mission is to inspire people to go biking. We want to encourage people to live healthier and more sustainable lives.” – Milou Smeets, CEO, Lease a Bike US.

Encouraging greener commutes and healthier lifestyles

Lease a Bike is helping employers boost productivity, increase wellness, and attract talent by offering a way for employees to purchase their dream bike, including top commuter bikes and the best e-bikes. With plenty of options for traveling with cargo or kids, “bike-to-work” is getting easier and breezier all the time.

Leading employers even run full bike programs as part of their Transportation Demand Management strategy. But whether it’s an addition to existing bike incentives or a completely new initiative, Lease a Bike supports employers by offering an all-encompassing bike lease program that eliminates the headache of trying to manage a bike fleet or bike purchase program internally.

The Lease a Bike program helps employers satisfy several important employee priorities in one go: a sustainable transportation choice that helps employees stay healthy and fit but also lets them get outside and have fun. For employers, less traffic and fewer parked cars means increased safety, while healthier, happier employees are more productive. That’s a win-win-win-win!

“My e-bike has changed my life. When I commute on my e-bike, it makes me feel free and I have fun. Instead of feeling like, ‘here I go to work,’ I’m excited to feel the wind on my face and see the world from my bike.” – David Payne, e-bike commuter, San Francisco Bay Area

Payne said an inter-city bike path near his home makes riding easy. “It’s a huge greenway that connects five cities. Everyday I take advantage of California’s investment in biking infrastructure, and I’m so thankful.”

State incentives buy better e-bikes

Lease a Bike’s program launch in California dovetails perfectly with the state’s carbon-reduction agenda, which aims to reduce gas consumption by 94% and air pollution by 71% by 2045 (3).

But it may be the state’s notoriously high gas prices that are truly sparking Californians' love of e-bikes. State and regional incentives have also helped fuel the industry. The Spokesman Bicycle Shop in Santa Cruz, CA said they have seen an uptick in customers choosing more expensive e-bikes. “The incentives allow people to jump to that mid-range, dependable electric bike that doesn’t require a lot of maintenance and service,” said sales rep Finn Cunningham.

While governments push e-bikes as a way to reduce greenhouse gasses, policy experts say there are plenty of other upsides, including improved public health, reclaimed street space, and greater accessibility (4).

Mobility for the future

California is further encouraging bike adoption with a pledge to spend nearly $1 billion over the next four years on bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. That includes 265 miles of new and improved bike lanes on state highways. Other cities across the U.S. that have made sizable biking infrastructure investments include Austin, New Orleans, Portland, Seattle, and Pittsburgh.

Rapid technological advancements in e-bike technology also promise to make bike commuting and transportation more commonplace. Improved batteries are extending range capacity and faster charging times. Manufacturers are offering more customizable options to help fit their bikes to riders’ needs. And more specialized electric bikes with large cargo capacity for delivery services and families have entered the market.

The end of the car era isn’t in sight, at least not yet, but demand for cleaner, more adaptable, and easily accessible transportation is clearly on the rise. As more traffic gluts American freeways, drivers are going to look for alternatives. And as electric bikes get faster and lighter, their utility will make them a highly attractive first choice. In fact, according to Forbes (5), Americans are buying more e-bikes than electric cars.

By 2029, the e-bike market is expected to reach $51.7 billion in the U.S., according to Statista (6). And, with almost 10 years of experience leasing bicycles in Europe, Lease a Bike is ready to serve U.S. consumers, offering them easy processing and quick delivery to lease their dream bike.

Learn more about the difference that bike leasing can make within your organization and join the ride!

(1) E-Bike Incentive Programs of North America, Portland State University
(2) Engaged employees are asking their employers to take climate action, Deloitte.com
(3) California Releases World’s First Plan to Achieve Net Zero Carbon Pollution
(4) What E-Bike Rebates Can (and Can’t ) Do, Bloomberg.com
(5) E-Bikes in the Fast Lane, Forbes.com
(6) Forecast of the of the size of the global market for electric bicycles in 2024 and 2029, Statista.com

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