You can apply to borrow an electric bike from the city for free; here’s how
Long Beach announced 35 e-bikes would be available from its lending library program, with 24 reserved for low-income applicants. Long Beach's new e-bike lending library, funded by Long Beach Recovery Act funds, will allow residents to borrow an electric bike for up to three months. Three Propel Bikes models are available, with helmets and locks provided for borrowers and training for riders. Applicants must be low-income, enroll in a federal or state benefit program, including SNAP or CalFresh, Section 8 housing vouchers, or Medi-Cal or Medicaid. The remaining 11 bikes will be available for all Long Beach residents. The application can be completed online or in person at a city library until April 18, with versions available in English, Spanish, Khmer, and Tagalog.
Published : 2 months ago by Jake Gotta in Tech
Applications opened Monday for Long Beach’s new e-bike lending library that will let residents borrow an electric bike for free for up to three months.
Three Propel Bikes models, including a cargo bike and a tricycle option, are available, and helmets and locks will be provided for borrowers. The program will also educate and train riders on e-bike technology and safe riding practices.
Residents can fill out the application online or in person at a city library until April 18, with versions available in English, Spanish, Khmer, and Tagalog. After the deadline, a lottery will determine who is selected, with 24 of the 35 available bikes reserved for low-income applicants. The remaining 11 bikes will be available for all Long Beach residents.
To qualify as low-income you must be enrolled in a federal or state benefit program like SNAP or CalFresh, Section 8 housing vouchers, or Medi-Cal or Medicaid. A full list of qualifying programs is available on the application website.
Paid for with Long Beach Recovery Act funds, the program is intended to “encourage e-bike ridership, and promote an active zero-emission mode of travel,” according to a press release.
And Mayor Rex Richardson said in a statement, “Our new Electric Bicycle Lending Library is a bold step toward a more sustainable and equitable transportation system in Long Beach.”
After this initial round of applications and lending, more bikes could be available in the future according to the program website.