Boston E-Bikes Incentive Program

• Two or three wheels and fully operable pedals
• Battery supplying 750 watts of power or less; may not be gasoline-powered
• Full-suspension e-mountain bikes are not eligible for this program
• E-Bike must meet UL 2849 and/or EN 15194 standards, and have at least a 1-year warranty on electric components
• Standard E-Bikes may have racks, bags or child seats installed, but these items are not integrated into the frame of the bike and are removable, resulting in a lower cargo capacity than a purpose-built Cargo E-bike
• Standard E-Bikes must be purchased as new

• Two or three wheels and fully operable pedals
• Cargo E-Bikes are larger and heavier than the average Standard E-Bike
• On average the starting price for Cargo E-Bikes is higher than for Standard E-Bikes
• Battery supplying 750 watts of power or less; may not be gasoline-powered
• Cargo E-Bike must meet UL 2849 and/or EN 15194 standards, and have at least a 1-year warranty on electric components
• Designed to carry one or more passengers in addition to the rider OR designed to carry heavier or bulkier loads than a traditional bicycle can carry
• Has an extended frame (e.g. long tail, Long John, Bakfiet, or box bike)
• Extended frame has a published cargo load carrying capacity of at least 100 lbs
• Cargo E-Bikes must be purchased as new

• Adaptive E-Bikes are specialized bicycles that meet the physical needs or abilities of the operator or a passenger who has a permanent disability
• Adaptive E-Bikes must meet UL 2849 and/or EN 15194 standards, and have at least a 1-year warranty on electric components
• Powered Handcycle Wheelchair Attachments are devices designed to convert manual wheelchairs into electric-powered handcycles. These must be UL 2849 and/or EN 15194 standard certified
• Applicants must be pre-fitted for an Adaptive E-Bike or Powered Handcycle Wheelchair Attachment before receiving the voucher
• Adaptive E-Bikes or Powered Handcycle Wheelchair Attachments must be purchased as new

All applicants who are selected for a voucher will need to submit a government-issued ID to confirm eligibility based on age, as well as a proof of address to confirm Boston residency. Additional documentation will be required for adults with disabilities and income-eligible applicants.

Government-issued ID

Each applicant must submit a photo or a scan of one of the following documents:

• U.S. or internationally issued passport
• Valid U.S. Permanent Resident Card
• Valid Driver’s license or State ID

Proof of Address (must be City of Boston resident)

Valid documentation must be dated within one year of the application. Each applicant must submit a copy of one of the following documents: 

• Computer-generated bill (utility, credit card, doctor, hospital, etc.)
• Printed bank statement
• Pre-printed pay stub (*from a period within the last 3 months)
• First-class mail (from a government agency or court)
• Current homeowners, renter's, or motor vehicle insurance policy
• Mortgage, lease, or rental contract
• Transcript or report card from an accredited school
• Motor vehicle registration
• Military Service Records (DD Form 214)
• Letter of Stay or letter confirming client status from an established homeless shelter or homeless services agency

Proof of a chronic or permanent disability

Additional documentation will be required for adults with chronic or permanent permanent disabilities. Applicants will need to submit a copy of one of the following documents:

• Medical form from a health professional - please use this template
• MBTA TAP card 
• Disabled Parking Permanent Placard / Plate 

Proof of income

Additional documentation will be required for those who apply as income-eligible residents. Income-eligible applicants will need to submit one of the following documents:

• SSI/SSDI Benefit Verification Letter
• 2023 Medicaid Benefit Letter
• WIC card or letter from the WIC office
• 1040 information for 2023 tax year (page 1 only)

Do I have a better chance of getting selected for a voucher if I apply early?

How do I know what type of bike to select?

How can I get help with my application?

• Do I have a better chance of getting selected for a voucher if I apply early? You do not need to rush to submit your application. Vouchers will be awarded by lottery, not on a first come, first served basis. Applications are available to submit between August 12 and August 24, 2024.
• How do I know what type of bike to select? The type of the e-bike that you request in your application must match the type of the e-bike that you will eventually purchase. For example, if you selected a cargo e-bike voucher when completing the application, you cannot use your voucher to purchase a standard e-bike. Please consider carefully what type of e-bike is most appropriate for you before you complete your application. We have provided some information for you to be able to make an informed decision about what type of e-bike you're interested in as you complete your application.A bike shop can be additional resource for you to learn more. Finally, join us for one of the Try an E-Bike events to try different e-bikes before you submit your application.
• How can I get help with my application? Our customer service is available during business hours, Monday through Friday, from 9am to 5pm. Email ebikes.boston@aptim.com or call 617-663-8415.

What happens if I am selected for the voucher? How many days do I have to upload supporting documentation?

What documentation is required?

How long will it take to verify documentation?

What if I’m not selected?

• What happens if I am selected for the voucher? How many days do I have to upload supporting documentation? 

  You will be notified via email and will have 7 days to complete your application if you are selected for a voucher. You will answer additional questions and upload valid proof of identity, and address. Additional supporting documentation is required for adults with disabilities and income-eligible applicants. 

• What documentation is required? All applicants who are selected for a voucher will need to submit a government-issued ID to confirm eligibility based on age, as well as a proof of address to confirm Boston residency. Additional documentation will be required for adults with disabilities and income-eligible applicants.

• How long will it take to verify documentation? The Program administrator will review the documents within 10 business days.

• What if I’m not selected? Applicants who are not selected for a voucher through the lottery will be notified by email that they have been placed on the waitlist. If an opportunity to receive a voucher opens up, we will email you with instructions.

How long are vouchers valid?

Can I change what type of voucher?

Can I apply my e-bike voucher toward other kinds of purchases?

Where can I redeem

Can I use a voucher retroactively?

What if my e-bike costs less than the value of my e-bike voucher?

• How long are vouchers valid? After receiving the E-Bike Voucher and Safety Equipment Vouchers by email, you will have 90 days to redeem them at a participating retailer (applicants in the Rolling Application have 120 days to redeem their vouchers). The E-Bike Voucher and Safety Equipment Voucher do not need to be used at the same time or at the same shop. However, each voucher has a unique code and each can only be used once. This means that you cannot split a Safety Equipment Voucher across multiple days of purchase or across multiple retailers.
• Can I change what type of voucher I have? The type of the e-bike that you request in your application must match the type of the e-bike that you will eventually purchase. For example, if you selected a cargo e-bike voucher when applying, you cannot then use your voucher to purchase a standard e-bike. Please consider carefully what type of e-bike is most appropriate for you before you complete your application. See information in the section E-Bike Types or attend one of our Try an E-Bike events to learn more. Please make informed decision about what type of e-bike you're interested before you submit your application.  
• Can I apply my E-Bike Voucher toward other kinds of purchases?  An E-Bike Voucher can only be applied toward the cost of an eligible e-bike or powered handcycle wheelchair attachment. It cannot be applied to taxes, transportation costs, safety equipment, or other in-store expenses. 

  A Safety Equipment Voucher can only be applied to the cost of approved categories of safety equipment intended for use with bicycles. The approved categories of safety equipment include: helmets, locks, bicycle lights, high visibility gear, bells, bicycle mirrors, bicycle seat for a child that can be safely attached to the e-bike purchased through the Program, and car bike rack to carry e-bike purchased through the Program. The Safety Equipment Voucher cannot be applied to taxes, transportation costs, E-Bikes, or other in-store expenses.

• Where can I redeem my vouchers?  

  You can redeem your voucher at one of the participating bike retailers. Participating bike retailers have been approved and trained to redeem the vouchers. When redeeming your voucher at a participating retailer, you must show a valid government-issued ID, so that the retailer can verify that you received a voucher. The list of participating bike shops is available in the Bike shops section.

• Can I use a voucher retroactively? 

  No. Vouchers may only be applied to new sales that occur on or after the date that the voucher was issued. Any e-bike or safety equipment purchased prior to a participant’s award of a voucher is not eligible for a refund retroactive application.

• What if my e-bike costs less than the value of my e-bike voucher? If the retail price of an e-bike is less than the value of the E-Bike Voucher, the unused funds will be returned to the program to issue vouchers for other applicants. Remaining amounts on the E-Bike Voucher cannot be issued as cash or a gift card. Unused funds from an E-Bike Voucher cannot be used toward any other purchase, including safety equipment. If the retail price of safety equipment is less than the value of the Safety Equipment Voucher, the unused funds will be returned to the program to issue vouchers for other applicants. Remaining amounts on the safety equipment voucher cannot be issued as a cash or a gift card. Unused funds from a Safety Equipment Voucher cannot be used for any other purchase, including for an e-bike.

What is the Safety Equipment Voucher?

What if my safety equipment costs less than the value of my Safety Equipment Voucher? 

Can I apply my Safety Equipment Voucher toward the purchase of an e-bike?

• What is the Safety Equipment Voucher? 

  All applicants who receive an E-Bike Voucher will also receive a $150 Safety Equipment Voucher. This can be used toward the purchase of the following safety equipment: helmets, locks, air pump, lights, high-visibility gear (reflective and/or high visibility clothing, reflective leg bands, reflective or high visibility flag), bell, bike mirror, bike seat for a child that can be safely attached to the e-bike purchased through the program, and a car bike rack that can carry the e-bike purchased through the program. The safety equipment voucher cannot be applied to taxes, transportation costs, e-bikes, or other in-store expenses. The safety equipment voucher is unique and can only be used once. That means you have to buy all safety equipment you intend to purchase using the voucher in the same transaction and at the same shop.

• What if my safety equipment costs less than the value of my Safety Equipment Voucher? 

  If the retail price of an e-bike is less than the value of the E-Bike Voucher, the unused funds will be returned to the program to issue vouchers for other applicants. Remaining amounts on the E-Bike Voucher cannot be issued as cash or a gift card. Unused funds from an E-Bike Voucher cannot be used toward any other purchase, including safety equipment. If the retail price of safety equipment is less than the value of the Safety Equipment Voucher, the unused funds will be returned to the program to issue vouchers for other applicants. Remaining amounts on the safety equipment voucher cannot be issued as a cash or a gift card. Unused funds from a Safety Equipment Voucher cannot be used for any other purchase, including for an e-bike.

• Can I apply my Safety Equipment Voucher toward the purchase of an e-bike? No. Neither a full amount, nor remaining amount from a Safety Equipment Voucher can be used towards an e-bike.

What if I want to return or exchange my e-bike?

What if I want to return my safety equipment?

How can I get my bike serviced?

• What if I want to return or exchange my e-bike? 

  First, please refer to the e-bike return and exchange policy of the participating bike shop where you redeemed the voucher to ensure you are still within the allowable time period to make a return. 

  If you meet the requirements of the retailer’s return or exchange policy, you can proceed. Please notify our customer service team at ebikes.boston@aptim.com.  If you would like to purchase a different e-bike, we will reissue a new voucher for you to use. However, if you are not interested in purchasing a different e-bike with a program voucher, we will release the voucher to someone on the waitlist or use the funds for the next round. We do not issue cash back or credit for e-bikes that have been returned.

• What if I want to return my safety equipment? First, please refer to the item return and exchange policy of the participating bike shop where you redeemed the voucher to ensure you are still within the allowable time period to make a return. Return policy for item/s purchased via safety equipment can be returned for the store credit only, where you redeemed your Safety Equipment Voucher.
• How can I get my bike serviced? We encourage you to get your bike serviced regularly, and suggest to reach to the  bike shop, where you redeemed your voucher, first. Participating bike shops are required to provide 90 days of free bike tune ups for bicycles sold through the program and at their site. Free tune-ups include: derailleur adjustment, inflating tires, flat repairs, wheel truing, lubing chain, headset adjustments, brake adjustment & brake bleed. Free 90 days tune-up does not cover the costs of the replacement parts, if any are needed.