Town of Vail Offers Free Electric Bikes to Essential Workers
The Town of Vail is excited to announce the opening of applications for its E-Bikes for Essentials program. This initiative will award six electric bikes to eligible Vail residents and Town of Vail employees who work as essential workers. Applications and participant agreements can be accessed at lovevail.org/e-bikes-for-essentials and must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Friday, September 20.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Applicants must be either a Vail resident or a Town of Vail employee.
- Applicants must be full-time essential workers, as defined in the State of Colorado Public Health Order (pages 6-12).
- Applicants must meet income qualifications, earning 80% or less of the Area Median Income for Eagle County, which is currently $72,880 or less annually.
Selected participants will be given an Aventon Level 2 e-bike along with accessories such as a helmet, pump, lock, and pannier bags, all at no cost. In return, participants are expected to use the e-bike for commuting to work, running errands, and attending social events at least twice a week during non-snow months, instead of using a personal vehicle, for a minimum of two years. Participants must also track their trips and modes of travel using the OpenPATH app developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and take part in the Sole Power Green Commuting Challenge. The e-bike and equipment must be returned to the Town of Vail if the participant decides to withdraw from the program.
The final selection of participants will be completed by Friday, October 4. A mandatory orientation and bike distribution session will be scheduled based on participant availability.
The E-Bikes for Essentials program, which began in 2021 with seven e-bikes, is a collaborative effort between the Town of Vail, NREL, and Aventon. It builds on the Can Do Colorado E-Bike Pilot Program, launched by the Colorado Energy Office in 2020. The program aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by showcasing e-bikes as a practical, eco-friendly mode of transportation. The program expanded to include six bikes in 2022 and eight in 2023.
One current participant shared their experience: “The bike has been fantastic. I use it to commute to work daily, and it’s been wonderful. The exercise and the scenic ride on the East Vail bike path are incredible! Not only has it improved my mood, but I’ve also saved significantly on gas. I use the bike for social outings too, which helps me reduce my carbon footprint.”
Transportation is the second-largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Vail, highlighting a significant opportunity for improvement. The Climate Action Collaborative for Eagle County has found that smart commuting options, like using e-bikes, could reduce transportation-related GHG emissions by 17%. Smart commuting includes alternatives such as remote work, carpooling, public transit, and human-powered transport like biking and walking. A 2020 survey by the Climate Action Collaborative revealed that electric bikes were the most popular alternative commuting option, though cost remains a common barrier.
For more information about the program, application details, or the timeline, please contact Beth Markham, Town of Vail Environmental Sustainability Manager, at [email protected] or 970-479-2333.
Are you an essential worker in Vail interested in making a positive impact on the environment? Apply for the E-Bikes for Essentials program today! If you’re not eligible but know someone who might be, share this opportunity with them. We’d love to hear your thoughts on how e-bikes could change the way we commute. Drop a comment below or reach out with your ideas and feedback!
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