Chelsea AllingerJan 25, 2023

The most 👀 👀 👀 sentences from @theGreaterMarin 's data analysis in @ggwash. 🧵

#ebikes #electricvehicles #transportation
https://ggwash.org/view/88025/analysis-e-bike-subsidies-are-more-cost-effective-than-ev-subsidies

Analysis: E-bike subsidies are more cost-effective than EV subsidies

When it comes to reducing gasoline-powered travel, what gives states the most bang for their buck? David Edmondson finds that e-bike subsidies are 2.9 times more effective per dollar at displacing gasoline-fueled travel miles than zero-emission vehicle subsidies.

Show threadChelsea AllingerJan 25, 2023
“Most of the money – around 93%! – will probably go to people who would have purchased a zero-emission vehicle or hybrid anyway.”
Show threadChelsea AllingerJan 25, 2023
“…while it takes a $1,000 subsidy to raise zero-emission vehicle demand by 2.6%, it only takes about $100 to do the same for e-bikes.”
Show threadChelsea AllingerJan 25, 2023
“Remarkably, 44% of those [e-bike] sales would go to incentivized buyers who would not have otherwise purchased an e-bike.”
Show threadChelsea AllingerJan 25, 2023
“Without the proposed cap of just 3,000 rebates, DC could expect to see around 8,000 additional e-bike sales, nearly doubling demand…”
Show threadChelsea Allinger
“an e-bike subsidy is 2.9 times more effective per dollar at displacing gasoline miles than a zero-emission vehicle subsidy.”
Jan 25, 2023 at 9:39pmWeb
Show threadChelsea AllingerJan 25, 2023
“…DC will displace around 2.6 million gasoline VMT per year with its e-bike rebates at a cost of around $3.10 per mile, a more cost-effective push that leads to roughly 1.4 times as many miles displaced as Maryland’s zero-emission vehicle policy.”
Show threadChelsea AllingerJan 25, 2023
“if Maryland had invested its $8.5 million in e-bikes in the same way DC’s legislation proposes, instead of in zero-emission vehicles and hybrids, it would have saved almost triple the gasoline miles…”
Show threadChelsea AllingerJan 25, 2023

Please read, 🤯, boost,⚡️🚲!

https://ggwash.org/view/88025/analysis-e-bike-subsidies-are-more-cost-effective-than-ev-subsidies

Analysis: E-bike subsidies are more cost-effective than EV subsidies

When it comes to reducing gasoline-powered travel, what gives states the most bang for their buck? David Edmondson finds that e-bike subsidies are 2.9 times more effective per dollar at displacing gasoline-fueled travel miles than zero-emission vehicle subsidies.

Show threadTassieDiJan 25, 2023
@allinsea @bicyclealison @bicyclenetwork
Show threadAsta McCarthyJan 26, 2023
@allinsea Wonder if there is also data for investing in bikelanes compared to subsidising e-bikes. Experience in the Netherlands is that is gov puts a bikelane, people will invest in bikes themselves.
Show threadCurtis McHaleJan 26, 2023
@allinsea Sigh…the ebike subsidy in BC Canada requires you trade in a car. I’d love to skip the care and just get an ebike as a 2nd mode of family transportation. @dgoldsmith
Show threadJason BurnettJan 26, 2023
@curtismchale @allinsea @dgoldsmith That is just such a horrible plan! To use my family as an example: Trading in our van (our only vehicle) isn't an option, because my wife's in a wheelchair. But if I had an ebike (especially if I bought a trailer for it), I could use it for so many short trips from the house to the library, pharmacist, grocery store, etc., eliminating a big chunk of my driving miles.
Show threadCurtis McHaleJan 26, 2023

@jason_burnett @allinsea @dgoldsmith My wife could use it to get to work with her bag on the back. Later when I drop a kid off at figure skating with my wife I could take it home and leave the car instead of picking them up with all their bags.

Would save me hours of driving back and forth in a week plus all the gas.

Show threadJonathan FredericksonJan 26, 2023

@jason_burnett @curtismchale @allinsea @dgoldsmith I wouldn't tell you to trade in your van (you obviously know what works best in your own case) but in case you both like cycling as an idea and didn't know about it yet, these exist 🙂

I've been riding a cargo e-bike around and I can see a lightbulb go off in people's heads when they see it and immediately recognize how it could be useful

Show threadSuzanne PaleyJan 26, 2023
@curtismchale @allinsea @dgoldsmith That seems very short-sighted. Living without a car completely is just not a good option for most people who don't live in dense cities (and many who do), especially people who are already used to owning cars (i.e. have one to trade in). But an ebike will cut down on a lot of short car trips, which is the most inefficient use of an ICE. And in our household, which has 3 drivers and two cars, it enables us to get by without a 3rd car.
Show threadCurtis McHaleJan 26, 2023
@smpaley @allinsea @dgoldsmith If I worked out of the house we'd need 2 cars as transit in Prince George is terrible and they do nothing to keep bike lanes clear all winter.
Show threadFerryoonsJan 26, 2023
@allinsea Not. Everyone. Lives. In. A. City.
Show threadTon ChrysopraseJan 26, 2023
@ferryoons @allinsea I. am. Fairly. Sure. Everybody. In. Dc. Lives. In. A. City. Cursory look out of the window confirms. The better question is why we should subsidize other people’s choices any more than we are already doing. Urban sprawl and suburbs at just straight up theft of wealth generated by urban centers.
Show threadFerryoonsJan 26, 2023
@TonChryso @allinsea Investment in reliable public transport always seems a good option to me.
Show threadTon ChrysopraseJan 26, 2023
@ferryoons @allinsea I'm most definitely with you, especially in DC. But I also don't think it's an either/or. Having a constituency with e-bikes might actually help to generally get past car-centric planning which would help everybody, including drivers stuck in traffic less and people using public transit who wouldn't get out of the metro stepping straight into traffic.
Show threadKristyCJan 26, 2023
@TonChryso @ferryoons @allinsea Additionally, on days wherein the weather is prohibitive to bike commuting for all but the most prepared and hardy, additional options need to be available.
Show threadFerryoonsJan 26, 2023
@KristyCurreri @TonChryso @allinsea Fair point. Where we live, the Highlands of Scotland, those in charge of policy obsess about cycling because cars are a problem in the city centre, yet fail to provide public transport which could offer an alternative to those commuting long distances.
Show threadTon ChrysopraseJan 26, 2023
@ferryoons @KristyCurreri @allinsea Being obsessed about cycling is definitely not the solution. The goal needs to be to design places that are worth living in for people who opt not to use cars. I think the NL are a great example and there bikes played an important role. Not sure that has to be the case everywhere but if it works, I take it.
Show threaddr2chaseJan 27, 2023
@ferryoons Wow, I had never heard this before, or even thought about it a single time, despite growing up 1/2 a mile from a paved road. Thanks so much for enlightening me!
Show threadFerryoonsJan 27, 2023
@dr2chase Good morning. First, it would help if I knew what you’re talking about. Second, do I detect a wee bit of sarcasm?
Show threadAndy HollandbeckJan 26, 2023
@allinsea does that hold true in rural areas too?
Show threadMichaelJan 26, 2023
@allinsea In a city sure. In a hilly countryside, it won't be.
Show threadKevin Karhan Jan 26, 2023
@allinsea Also note that every vehicle creates emissions - if not at production and scrapping than be wear and tear of tires and brakes.
Show threadGary KrysztopikJan 26, 2023
@allinsea #Ebikes reduce emissions, resources required, infrastructure cost/footprint, improve safety and local economies and grid demand. A win/win for #Climate.
Show threadmahaJan 26, 2023
@allinsea @fink dürfte in Deutschland ähnlich sein, wenn nicht sogar besser
Show threadAdamas NemesisJan 26, 2023
@allinsea Interesting.
Show threadGurtbeef RobeJan 27, 2023
@allinsea @lolgop except for those in Cleveland where there’s a whopping 70 days of sunshine annually and more potholes than people.
Show threadL O L G O PJan 27, 2023
@twitterreject is your weather really that much worst than Ann Arbor? I can believe the potholes, which are rough here too. But I could probably ebike 300 days a year to close enough places.
Show threadGurtbeef RobeJan 27, 2023
@lolgop yeah Seattle gets all the glory for their terrible weather but it’s basically identical in Cleveland except Cleveland gets snow. Both get around 70 clear days. I moved to San Diego and weather was a big factor bc my buddy says I’m an 80yr old man. Don’t care. I need sunlight
Show threadDoug Baker - Elbows Up! 🇨🇦Jan 27, 2023
@allinsea I'm sure that's all true. The difference (and I'm a biker): cars have roads. Bikes have...lanes...sometimes...with cars etc blocking often.
Show threadShaunkohJan 28, 2023

@allinsea is there a difference whether the city has effective bike lanes or not?

I live in a city (Singapore) where bike lanes are limited to recreational areas, instead of being comprehensive enough for real commuting.

I’ve seriously considered an e-bike, but the safety concerns of riding the road along side cars are just too much for me.