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
@clive I've been eyeing ebikes for several years now. They still seem overpriced.
@shuttersparks @clive compared to what, though? Replace or avoid the purchase of a car with a cargo bike, and you'll be saving thousands every year. My only regret is that I didn't spend more on my GSD...
@robgalanakis @clive Well, my Toyota Corolla runs great and gets 35 MPG. I paid $950 for it five years ago. It's easy to spend twice that on a bicycle. (Somebody is making a LOT of money ;-)
@robgalanakis @clive It was a lucky find but it happens. MPG was measured on cross-country trips, back and forth WV-MT. Empty car on the flat it reaches 38 MPG. Worst cases were cross-country towing a 3,900 pound trailer at 21 MPG. Random city driving and errands around 28. Not bad for an ICE.
Been eyeing EV's for years too but they are highly problematic in this part of the country (West Virginia). There has been no significant charging infrastructure and home charging is out because the houses here don't have garages. (Built 100+ years ago). Everyone parks on the street. As more chargers appear it will become feasible.
@shuttersparks @clive keeping your Corolla is doing more for the environment then buying an EV will, especially given your electricity generation. You can think of an ebike as extending its life! That is a pretty huge savings. What if you can use it to put off an EV purchase for an extra 2 to 4 years? You'll get a much cheaper, reliable, greener vehicle.
@robgalanakis @clive Well, yes and no. Powering an EV from coal generated electricity produces less CO2 than powering the car with any IC engine. This is because IC engines are horribly inefficient, including my "highly efficient" one.
@shuttersparks @clive you're the exception that proves the rule (though I'm very skeptical of that mpg). If you can get smallish old cars for under $1k that run reliably for 5+ years, bless you.