A $7 million subsidy program aiming to drive electric bicycles beyond recreation and into everyday transportation for three of the state’s largest metros will launch in July.
The big picture: The goal is to give residents more transportation choices in a region with long distances between cities, challenging topography, and a growing active-transportation network, Tim Conklin, executive director of the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission (NWARPC), tells Axios.
- The NWARPC is the lead agency to distribute the vouchers.
Context: The program is funded through a nearly $100 million U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Climate Pollution Reduction Grant awarded to a tri-region Arkansas coalition.
- Northwest Arkansas is expected to receive $36.25 million for green network projects, including active transportation.
State of play: The Arkansas Tri-Region E-Bike Incentive Program will distribute at least 5,844 vouchers across the Northwest Arkansas, Fort Smith and Little Rock-Conway metro areas.
- Adults 18 and older living in the metros can register for a chance at a $700 general resident voucher.
- Residents with household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level can apply for a $1,200 income-qualified voucher.
Registration opens July 6, with the first computerized random selection set for July 21.
The caveat: Vouchers are to be used at participating retailers for a new, fully assembled Class 1, 2 or 3 e-bike with two or three wheels and operable pedals.
- E-motos, which look like motorcycles and usually go faster than e-bikes, are not eligible, Conklin says.
What they’re saying: E-bikes let riders go farther with assistance and can “level the playing field” for people navigating NWA’s topography and for people with some physical limitations, Conklin says…