Clive ThompsonJun 27, 2023

Denver last year offered subsidies for buying electric bikes

Their first 600 were snapped up in 10 minutes. Demand was *huge*

Denver ended up issuing over 4,700 (about 2,300 of which went to low-income residents)

Research shows it reduced car-miles driven in the city by 100K a week

My takeaway?

We should have ebike subsidies *everywhere*, and *now*. Cheaper than electric car subsidies, and arguably even more catalytic

My essay: https://clivethompson.medium.com/its-time-to-subsidize-e-bikes-900a862b8e76

"Friend" link https://clivethompson.medium.com/its-time-to-subsidize-e-bikes-900a862b8e76?sk=dea9f07c0dab4be831ee50a197360f95

Show threadtoxtethogrady
@clive e-bikes are great, but the willy-nilly distribution of these things at street corners and bus stops is more bane than boon. Bike-sharing really needs to be managed better...
Jun 27, 2023 at 2:48amWeb
Show threadRob GalanakisJun 27, 2023
@toxtethogrady @clive there's little that can realistically be improved without reducing the space and subsidy given to cars. I'm sympathetic to the argument but be aware of priorities and impact. Complaining about "willy nilly distribution" of bikes is like complaining about the color of the life preserver while you're drowning.
Show threadClive ThompsonJun 28, 2023

@toxtethogrady

Yeah, the "dockless" ebike-share programs can be quite messy

Personally-owned ebikes are less of an issue, because the owners lock them up and/or take them inside