France offers €4,000 e-bike subsidy but there’s a catch

The cities of France are building safe cycling infrastructure as fast as any in the world, including a massive move by Paris. And now the federal government is ensuring those new bike lanes will fill up with clean, green e-bikes after announcing a €4,000 subsidy. But there is a catch.

The incentive program, as reported by The Times, offers many opportunities for those in France to get a little help with that e-bike, but the bling subsidy is actually for those who are swapping their gas-guzzling, greenhouse gas-spewing automobile for an e-bike.

It also only applies to lower income households in specific urban areas.

There are plenty of other options, though, for those looking to get in on the e-bike craze that’s sweeping Europe. For instance, those who just straight up want to buy an e-bike, the government offers a straight €400 subsidy.

The incentive program is part of a plan to increase active mobility and fight the climate crisis by reducing vehicle emissions.

It’s a strategy that is happening not just in Europe but in North America as well. And it’s one that bicycle advocacy group PeopleForBikes supports.

“An electric bike incentive program that’s specifically for low-income and historically disadvantaged community members can be a great way for cities to work their way towards both DEI and climate goals,” said Ashley Seaward, PeopleForBikes’ deputy director of state and local policy in a blog post.

One of the issues brought up by PeopleForBikes, and one that seems to have been heard in France, is that the subsidies are often on the few hundred dollars level. And, although that is certainly nice and appreciated by those who have to dole out a few thousand for an e-bike, it’s unlikely to change behaviour to a greater extent.

“The goal of these programs is to induce new purchases of e-bikes,” said Bennett, in the blog post. “If you’re already buying a bike, $200 sweetens the deal, but if you weren’t planning on buying an e-bike, it probably won’t change your mind. Higher incentive values change minds and help get more people on bikes.”

But, maybe €4,000 is enough to kickstart significant change.

According to The Times article, the plan is underway and can be used by every family member, not just once.

In Paris, for the past five years or more, Mayor Anne Hidalgo has decided automobiles have ruled long enough, and is giving the city back to its people one street at a time.

Other cities such as Milan are following suit. Berlin is attempting to create the largest car-free urban zone on the planet.

If you drive a car, the writing is on the wall. It’s going to get more and more difficult to get around, so why not make the change now that there are even more incentives in place?