User:Azabin1/sandbox

To reduce carbon emissions and provide another avenue of transportation, the use of e-bikes (electric bikes) has become more popular within the last few years. While e-bikes are an attractive alternative to other modes of transportation that rely on gas, the prices of e-bikes have dramatically increased because of the increased popularity of outdoor recreation (e-bike sales grew 145% in 2020) and the lack of necessary supplies due to COVID shutdowns. Some cities have seen a large increase in e-bike usage during the pandemic, likely due to the lower perceived virus-related health risks of riding on a bike vs. riding in a crowded bus. The use of e-bikes can also help decrease air pollution of urban areas because of gas and diesel, noise pollution, and the overall reliance on mass automobility which leads to traffic congestion. Because of the high cost of purchasing an e-bike (they can cost around $2,000 depending on the make and model), accompanied by large interest from consumers, bike-share companies have emerged as a low-cost alternative to an efficient way to travel. Local non-profits have also shown interest in bike-share programs, including Local Motion, a Vermont non-profit aligned with sustainable transport, and shares a mission “to bring walking and biking within reach for all Vermonters” by advocating for “active transportation, vibrant communities, and safe streets” since 2017 (Localmotion.org). Not only do these bike lending programs provide free, fuel-free transportation to the user; they also act as a free trial for folks who may end up purchasing an e-bike. Between two studies on bike lending programs, between 17-39% of e-bike borrowers ended up purchasing an e-bike in 2019. E-bike activists are pushing for the U.S. Congress to decrease taxes on e-bike purchases and incentivize the use of e-bikes as a complete alternative to car usage in states outside of Vermont.