B.C. electric bike rebate urgently needed as gas prices soar: Advocates

Cycling groups are hoping to nudge the B.C. government to improve its rebate program as more people turn to different forms of transportation amid the high gas prices.

The province is offering a rebate of a couple thousand dollars when you buy an electric vehicle. But if you want a rebate for an e-bike, you’re only eligible when you scrap your old car.

Advocates like Samantha Joy with the B.C. Cycling Coalition says electric bikes should get the same treatment as electric vehicles.

“If you’re getting $3,000 towards an electric vehicle, that’s a pretty significant investment. An e-bike is also a significant investment if you’re going to buy a bike that is going to last you for several years and be repairable and be something that’s going to get you from point A to point B, whether it’s hilly or not.”

Especially since an e-bike can cost upwards of $1,500 and stores in Vancouver are reporting an uptick in demand, Joy insists seeing a rebate around $1,200 would instigate more people to make the switch.

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Navdeep Chhina with HUB Cycling says the lack of incentive for people to get an e-bike is keeping people away from greener forms of transportation.

“It is much easier for people to start using an electric-assist bike who might be hesitant to walk or cycle otherwise,” he said.

Considering the province’s lofty climate goals, Chhina says investing more into getting people to switch to active transportation and creating a safe infrastructure for cyclists will benefit the province.

“Cycle highways and e-bikes complement each other perfectly. People are more likely to buy an electric-assist bike if the infrastructure or good infrastructure exists, and e-bikes make traveling so much easier over a longer distance.”

Chhina explains “cycle highways” look like quality bike routes covering long distances (over 5 kilometres).

“If they experience the infrastructure that is direct, that’s paved, that … prioritized people cycling over people driving. It encourages a lot more people to leave the car at home, and instead do that commute by electric-assist bike.”

The municipality of Saanich has launched an e-bike rebate program for low-income people, with North Vancouver planning a similar one next year.

Up in Yukon, that territory offers a 25 per cent rebate when you buy a new e-bike — something Joy and Chhina think could be replicated in B.C.