Overview
The District E-Bike Incentive Program (Program) within the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) helps residents buy electric bicycles (e-bikes) and supports bicycle businesses in the District.
Enter your email to get notified when the application window opens.
How the Program Works
DDOT issues vouchers to approved applicants to be used to buy an e-bike at an authorized retailer. Not everyone who applies for a voucher will receive one. DDOT uses a randomized selection process (lottery) to select voucher recipients from the entire pool of applicants, regardless of when during the application window the application was submitted. The funding for vouchers is very limited, and only a few hundred applicants will be selected to receive a voucher.
Who Can Apply
DDOT will open the 2025 application window to Preferred Applicants and Standard Applicants. A Preferred Applicant is a District resident enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Medicaid, or the DC Healthcare Alliance. Standard Applicants are District residents not enrolled in any of these assistance programs. DDOT anticipates fulfilling approximately 300 vouchers in FY25.
District residents must apply in advance and be approved before purchasing an electric bicycle. Retroactive rebates are not allowed. To participate in the Program, individuals must:
- Be a District resident;
- Be over 18 years old;
- If applying as a Preferred Applicant, be enrolled in SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, or the DC Healthcare Alliance.
What is an e-bike?
An e-bike looks just like a regular bicycle with two wheels, pedals, and seating for one person. What makes it an e-bike is it has a battery which helps when pedaling.
What is not an e-bike?
Mopeds, vehicles that need gasoline, e-scooters, and vehicles without pedals are not e-bikes and are not eligible for this program.
Approved Purchases
District residents must apply for a voucher in advance and be approved before buying an e-bike or other items. Voucher recipients can purchase:
- A regular electric bicycle that is legal in the District and meets ANSI/CAN/UL 2272, ANSI/CAN/UL 2849, or any successive safety standards;
- Bicycle locks;
- Bicycle helmets; and
- Accessories to support a disability.
An approved Applicant must purchase their e-bike or accessory at an authorized retailer and present their voucher in advance of their purchase. The retailer will reduce the up-front purchase price by the amount of the voucher, and the District will reimburse the authorized retailer directly.
The following chart outlines the vouchers available:
|
Purchased Item/Service |
Preferred Applicants |
Standard Applicants^ |
|
Electric bicycle |
$1,500 |
$750 |
|
Disability components |
$250 |
$125 |
|
Bicycle lock |
$150 |
$75 |
| Bicycle helmet | $150 | $75 |
Notes: Vouchers through the Program are not included in gross income for District taxes. DDOT is authorized to issue rules, subject to Council approval, to implement and expand upon any components of the Program.
2025 Application Pop-Ups
DDOT will be in the community during the application window to spread the word about the program and support residents applying in person. Dates TBA.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will applications open?
Early 2025.
How do I apply?
When the application window opens, you can apply online at any time during the window or by visiting DDOT at one of our application pop-up events.
What do I need to apply?
You will need a) an internet connection to access the application or b) to attend an application event in person. You will also need the following documents:
- Proof of District residency with a District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles issued
- REAL ID;
- REAL ID non-driver identification card; or
- Limited Purpose Driver's License.
- If applying as a Preferred Applicant: Proof of SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, or DC Healthcare Alliance enrollment.
- Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card;
- Current Proof of Benefits statement
- DC Healthcare Alliance Member ID card; or
- Medicaid ID card.
What's different this year?
The program is mostly the same, but there are a few new things in 2025:
- Cargo e-bike vouchers will not be available.
- Standard Applicants can apply.
- Helmets are included with every e-bike voucher, along with a lock.
Can I buy an e-bike now and get reimbursed?
No, DDOT will not issue any reimbursements for e-bikes or accessories.
How does the incentive work?
DDOT will issue vouchers (also known as instant rebates or discounts) to approved applicants to be used at the point-of-sale at an authorized retailer. Not everyone who applies for a voucher will receive one. The retailer will reduce the up-front purchase price by the amount of the voucher.
When will I know if I am approved for a voucher?
DDOT will receive and evaluate all applications submitted during that window – it does not matter when during the window they are submitted. We equally consider all applications submitted at any time during the window and randomly select voucher recipients using a lottery from the applications.
DDOT will review applications when the application window closes and reach out to applicants about a month later. The vouchers are very limited. Only a few hundred applicants will be approved for a voucher.
Why is the program focused on Preferred Applicants?
The Act that governs this program requires DDOT to issue at least 50 percent of the total value of all vouchers issued in a fiscal year to Preferred Applicants and work to ensure that the application process increases applications from Preferred Applicants.
History & Background
For a history of the District Electric Bicycle Incentive Program, please view Act 25-249 in the District's Legislative Information Management System.
2024 Process
The 2024 application window was open from April 1 - April 15, 2024.
DDOT received and reviewed over 2,800 applications from Preferred Applicants. DDOT used a randomized selection process (lottery) to select voucher recipients from the entire pool of Preferred Applicants, regardless of when the application was submitted.
The funding for vouchers was very limited, and only a few hundred applicants were selected to receive a voucher.
2024 Program Data
| Number of Vouchers Issued* | Value of Vouchers Issued |
|---|---|
| 335 |
$500,000 |
*Includes expired, voided, redeemed, and not-yet-redeemed vouchers
Resources
We wrote this E-Bike Guide to help dispel confusion and empower readers with the knowledge to make informed, safe choices when purchasing, riding, and maintaining their e-bikes in order to have the safest and most rewarding experience possible.
This safety guidance by People for Bikes will take you through a series of short videos that explain what an electric bicycle is, how to handle your e-bike battery, where you can ride e-bikes, and best practices for rider safety and etiquette when on your e-bike.
This new online driving education course from Bicycle Colorado focuses on filling the knowledge gaps seen in existing driving education, specifically on sharing the road safely with bicyclists and pedestrians.
Battery Fire Safety Fact Sheet
Contact Information
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