City of Cleveland and Bike Cleveland Launch Pilot E-Bike Rebate Program to Expand Affordable Transportation Options

The Pilot program will provide 100 rebates of up to $1,500 to help Cleveland residents purchase electric bicycles while advancing transportation, climate, and public health goals.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Today, the City of Cleveland - Mayor's Office of Sustainability and Bike Cleveland are proud to announce the launch of the pilot Cleveland E-Bike Rebate Program, a new initiative that will provide up to 100 point-of-sale rebates to help Cleveland residents purchase new electric bicycles from participating local bike shops. Funded by the George Gund Foundation and the Sustainable Cities Fund, the program is designed to make e-bikes more affordable, reduce transportation costs for residents, expand access to sustainable transportation, and encourage healthier ways to travel throughout the city.

Applications for the program open September 1, 2026, at EBikeCleveland.com.

Electric bicycles have become an increasingly popular transportation option because they make bicycling accessible to more people, allowing riders to travel longer distances, tackle hills more easily, carry groceries or children, and replace trips that might otherwise be made by car. By reducing the upfront cost of purchasing an e-bike, the Cleveland E-Bike Rebate Program aims to make this transportation option available to more residents while supporting the City's Climate Action Plan (CAP) and efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The program offers two rebate categories:

• Standard Rebate: A $500 rebate available to any permanent City of Cleveland resident who is at least 18 years old.
• Income-Qualified Rebate: A $1,500 rebate available to permanent City of Cleveland residents who are at least 18 years old and whose household income is at or below 80% of the Cleveland Area Median Income (AMI), as established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Applications will be accepted through EBikeCleveland.com. Because demand is expected to exceed the number of available rebates, recipients will be selected through a random drawing conducted by an independent third-party vendor to ensure a fair and transparent selection process.

Selected applicants will redeem their rebate at participating local bicycle retailers. Rebates may be applied toward the purchase of a qualifying e-bike as well as eligible bicycle safety equipment and accessories. A complete list of participating bike shops, eligibility requirements, and program details will be available at EBikeCleveland.com.

"The Cleveland E-Bike Rebate Program is about giving people more transportation choices," said Jacob VanSickle, Executive Director of Bike Cleveland. "For many Clevelanders, an e-bike can replace car trips, lower transportation costs, and make it easier to get to work, school, shopping, and other daily destinations. This program is an investment in affordable transportation, healthier communities, and a more connected Cleveland. We're grateful to the George Gund Foundation, the Sustainable Cities Fund, and the City of Cleveland for making this opportunity possible."

The pilot program supports several community goals, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions from single-occupancy vehicle trips, expanding access to affordable transportation for underserved communities, and encouraging healthier, more active forms of transportation. It also complements the City's ongoing investments in bicycle infrastructure, safer streets, and multimodal transportation options identified in Cleveland's CAP, Cleveland MOVES, and Vision Zero Action Plan.

"Transportation is one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in Cleveland, but it's also one of our greatest opportunities to improve quality of life," said Sarah O'Keeffe, Director of Sustainability and Climate Justice for the City of Cleveland. "By making e-bikes more affordable, we're helping residents save money, improve access to jobs and essential services, reduce emissions, and make sustainable transportation a practical option for more Clevelanders."

Bike Cleveland will promote the program in partnership with the City of Cleveland, providing program administration, community outreach, and education to help residents understand the benefits of electric bicycles and safely incorporate them into their daily transportation.

Residents interested in applying for a rebate or learning more about the program can visit EBikeCleveland.com beginning September 1st.

Help Spread the Word: Cleveland E-Bike Rebate Program Toolkit

Media Contact
Jacob VanSickle
Executive Director, Bike Cleveland
216-245-3101
[email protected]

Brittany Montgomery
Public Information Officer, City of Cleveland
216-664-2455
[email protected]

About Bike Cleveland

Bike Cleveland is a nonprofit bicycle advocacy organization creating a region that is sustainable, connected, healthy, and vibrant by promoting bicycling and advocating for safe and equitable transportation for all. Through advocacy, education, community engagement, and events, Bike Cleveland works to make bicycling safe, accessible, and convenient for people of all ages and abilities.

About the City of Cleveland Mayor's Office of Sustainability

The City of Cleveland - Mayor's Office of Sustainability works to improve the health and well-being of people, air, land, and water in the face of a changing climate. Our team brings deep technical expertise in energy, buildings, waste, natural systems, resilience, and climate change. We collaborate with residents, businesses, community organizations, and city leaders to develop innovative solutions. We co-create policies, programs, and projects that help the city reduce carbon emissions, increase the use of renewable energy, promote healthier transportation and buildings, manage waste, and expand access to natural spaces and urban trees-building a more resilient, sustainable Cleveland for all. Visit our webpage or follow us on socials to stay updated on our work and initiatives.