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Charlottesville: City government working to make e-bikes available to city residents

Chris Graham
e-bike
(© Patrizia Tilly – stock.adobe.com)

The City of Charlottesville is offering $1,000 vouchers to residents to help offset the cost of qualifying e-bikes purchased from participating local retailers.

The C’ville E-Bike Voucher Grant Program will award 25 vouchers per quarter to eligible Charlottesville residents, who can redeem their vouchers at Endeavor Cycles, Blue Ridge Cyclery and Blue Wheel Bicycles.

“E-bikes represent a transformative transportation solution for Charlottesville,” said Tommy Safranek, the city government’s Bike and Pedestrian Coordinator. “Our city’s hilly terrain can be challenging on a traditional bike, but e-bikes make it possible for more residents to choose cycling for their daily commutes. This program aligns with our broader goals of reducing emissions, decreasing traffic congestion, and promoting active transportation options that enhance our community’s quality of life.”

The program is open to all City of Charlottesville residents aged 18 and older, with some exceptions for city employees and their immediate relatives.

Households are limited to one entry per quarterly drawing, though those not selected may apply again in subsequent quarters if they haven’t previously been awarded a voucher.

As a pilot initiative, the city will gather data on the program’s effectiveness and reach, using this information to guide potential modifications and improvements moving forward.

The program has partnered with reputable local bike shops to ensure voucher recipients have access to high-quality, reliable e-bikes with dependable warranties and maintenance support.

Quarterly entry periods align with the first month of each quarter (January, April, July, and October), with voucher recipients being notified on the first Wednesday of the following month.0

For the current quarter, interested residents must submit their entries by 5 p.m. ET on Jan. 31.

For more information and to enter the quarterly voucher drawing, visit cvilleebike.com.

 

Chris Graham

Chris Graham

Chris Graham, the king of "fringe media," a zero-time Virginia Sportswriter of the Year, and a member of zero Halls of Fame, is the founder and editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1994 alum of the University of Virginia, Chris is the author and co-author of seven books, including Poverty of Imagination, a memoir published in 2019. For his commentaries on news, sports and politics, go to his YouTube page, or subscribe to his Street Knowledge podcast. Email Chris at [email protected].