Shoreline, Washington Offers Free E-Bikes to Reduce Emissions and Improve Air Quality
The City of Shoreline, Washington, is giving away 100 free e-bikes to help lower carbon emissions and improve air quality in vulnerable neighborhoods.
The program, called Pedal Forward Shoreline, launched this spring with $670,000 in funding from the Washington State Department of Ecology. It targets residents in a specific zone of Shoreline bordered by NE 165th St, NE 145th St, 5th Ave NE, and 25th Ave NE.
Who gets an e-bike?
Anyone in the service area can apply. But the city will prioritize households earning 80% or less of the King County median income.
Each selected participant will receive:
- One e-bike from Seattle Electric Bike
- A helmet
- A reflective vest
- A bike lock
About $425,000 will go toward the bikes. The rest covers staffing, education, and safety gear.
Recipients must attend two safety classes hosted by the Cascade Bicycle Club. One is an off-bike class open to all Shoreline residents. The second, an on-bike session, is required for program participants. Classes began in late April and will continue through May.
The program supports Shoreline’s Climate Action Plan, which aims to cut emissions by 60% by 2030. Transportation accounts for 55% of the city’s carbon footprint, based on 2019 data.
Paige Scheid, the city’s Environmental Services manager, said the city wants to encourage more people to use e-bikes for everyday trips. “We’re also hoping to create a more environmentally friendly, transit-oriented community,” she said.
The Department of Ecology chose Shoreline for its high exposure to pollution from nearby I-5. Officials classify this area as “overburdened,” meaning residents experience greater health risks due to long-term exposure to air pollution.
Tests near the project area showed elevated levels of PM 2.5—fine particles linked to heart and lung problems. “It’s public health at the end of the day,” said Ecology spokesperson Taylor Van Cise. “People in these areas face health problems that don’t affect neighbors even a mile away.”
Other projects under the same grant include e-bike programs in South King County, a bike repair trailer in East Wenatchee, and clean equipment upgrades in Spokane.
E-bikes are energy-efficient, using 90% less energy and producing up to 95% fewer emissions than cars. But they’re expensive. Entry-level models can cost upwards of $2,000, making them out of reach for many low-income households.
“This program takes that cost off the table,” Van Cise said. “It makes it easier to run errands or get to appointments without a car.”
Still, rising costs may soon affect pricing. A 10% U.S. tariff on all imports, along with a 145% tariff on most goods from China, is pushing e-bike prices up. Seattle Electric Bike, which is supplying the bikes, expects some models to increase by $300–$800 soon.
Sales manager Ken Cisco said the shop is rushing to place orders before the price hikes hit. “We’re trying to make sure the city isn’t impacted,” he said. “But we can’t absorb a 50% increase.”
Despite challenges, city leaders are hopeful. E-bikes will be distributed in June, and they believe this could have lasting effects. “We’re giving people a chance to live healthier lifestyles,” Scheid said. “It’s a social benefit. We hope to see more bikes on the streets of Shoreline.”
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