Orange County Power Authority Announces E-Bike Safety and Incentive Pilot Program

The Orange County Power Authority’s new E-Bike Safety and Incentive Pilot Program is aimed at promoting safe e-bike usage among our valued customers aged 18 and above. This initiative provides participants with the opportunity to obtain an electric bicycle and helmet at a significantly reduced cost through a voucher system redeemable at local bike shops. Ensuring rider safety is paramount, so completion of an e-bike safety training is mandatory for all voucher recipients, available both online and in person. The Program will begin July 1, 2024 for the first eligible 100 applicants. 

E-bike vouchers will be for $600 for a standard Level 1 or 2, or $1,500 for income-qualified customers under the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) and Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) programs.

The online e-bike safety training course is available on the OCPA website at “E-Bikes 101: Introduction to E-Bike Safety and Use,” produced by the Orange County Transportation Authority, and includes information about three types of e-bikes, differences between e-bikes and other two-wheeled modes of transportation, safety inspections and rules of the road.

OCPA has partnered with the following bike shops where the vouchers can be redeemed:

• Buena Park Bicycles
• Fullerton Bicycles
• Irvine Bicycles
• Trails End Cycling Center in Irvine

For those who prefer in-person e-bike safety training, the participating bike shops will be offering sessions. Dates to be announced soon.

E-bikes are one of the most economical and environmentally friendly forms of transportation. According to the California Bicycle Coalition, e-bikes are beneficial to the environment and inexpensive to operate. 

Key findings include:

• E-bikes are 10 to 30 times more efficient than electric cars at fighting climate change.
• E-bikes get 30 to 100 times more miles per pound of battery than an electric car. Battery efficiency is essential because the resources used to make lithium batteries may be in short supply as more car manufacturers switch to electric.
• An e-bike emits 40 to 140 times fewer pounds of greenhouse gases than a 30 MPG gas car, assuming it is charged with California’s electric energy mix. 
•  E-bikes are incredibly cost-effective. Most bikes cost less than a penny per mile to charge.

About Orange County Power Authority

The Orange County Power Authority is a not-for-profit public agency that offers clean power at competitive rates, significantly reducing energy-related greenhouse emissions and enabling reinvestment in local energy programs. To learn more, visit www.ocpower.org.