70 Cyclists Win New E-Bikes: Rebate Program Works, More Infrastructure Needed
Over the summer, 70 income-qualified Bend residents received new e-bikes, thanks to a unique rebate program from the City of Bend, Commute Options and the Pacific Power Foundation.
The program provided $1,800 vouchers for the bikes to Bend adults who are Pacific Power customers and earn at or below 80% of the area median income. About 650 people applied for the rebate, demonstrating the need for the program.
The 70 voucher winners visited BendR Cyclery or Bend Electric Bikes, two e-bike shops in town, to select their new ride. Before hitting the road, they all completed an e-bike safety course provided by Commute Options.
This marked the second year of the collaboration between the city, the utility, the two shops and Commute Options. In 2023, 75 residents received bikes.
A few months after this summer’s program, Bend Bikes reached out to some of the participants and recipients involved in the initiative to hear how it went. While everyone we contacted was thrilled with the voucher program’s success, at least one recipient remains frustrated with the lack of bike infrastructure in her neighborhood.
Here is some of the feedback we received:
Brian Potwin, Executive Director of Commute Options:
“We had a very positive response with this second round. Obviously, based on the number of entries, this program is way over-prescribed, meaning there’s a huge need and desire for this type of transportation here locally in Bend,” Potwin said. “This program is good for a city like Bend to increase access to transportation options, and that’s exactly what we do,” Potwin added.
Christina Reese, recipient of the program:
“The program was great, and I feel fortunate to have a new e-bike. My whole experience was a positive one… until I brought the bike home and realized that I cannot ride it the way it was intended,” said Reese.
Reese lives in northeast Bend near Cooley Road and Boyd Acres Road. There is no access to a street on which she feels safe and comfortable riding. “I don’t feel safe enough to drive into the Bend traffic areas. I’ve seen people get hit by cars. It’s very scary for me. I won’t run errands heading west. It’s a bummer because sometimes I just want to run to the store for milk or something. I should be able to take my bike to pick up a gallon of milk if I need it.”
For Reese, a typical cycling experience is strapping her bike in the bed of her truck and driving to a place to begin her ride. This summer, she rode the 26-mile loop around Crater Lake when it was closed to traffic. She also rides in her neighborhood. “I hope one day I can use it the way it was intended.”
Shane Smith, recipient of the program:
“It’s huge. I pretty much never drive my car around town anymore. I ride my new bike to work every day. I ride it to the gym. It’s really changed my daily commute,” Smith said, who lives near Pilot Butte. “And I found that it’s actually a quicker way to get around town, and a lot more enjoyable. I’ve just been super stoked with the bike and the program.
Smith also has a better understanding of the new biking infrastructure projects. “I didn’t understand the infrastructure work going on in the city until I started riding my e-bike this summer. Now I get to see first-hand how it helps.”
Will Priest, owner of BendR Cyclery
The Commute Options/Pacific Power e-bike rebate program demonstrates what can happen when non-profit agencies, city government and small businesses get together to solve community problems,” said Priest, whose shop is on the southeast side of Bend. “We provided over 50 e-bikes to the local community members who otherwise could not afford them. We were thrilled to be part of this worthwhile initiative and look forward to serving the community in a similar fashion going forward.”