The town of Healdsburg is ready to start out a brand new electrical bicycle rebate program funded by the electrical division’s “Cap and Commerce” allowances. Whereas not all residents and council members felt it was the very best use of cap and commerce funds, town council accepted the year-long trial run of this system at its most up-to-date council assembly on Oct. 5.
The Healdsburg Metropolis Council has introduced up the subject of contemplating electrical bikes, often known as e-bikes, a number of instances.
Regardless of issues from Councilmember Joe Naujokas and a number of other residents that solely upper- and middle-income households will profit from this system, the decision to undertake this system was handed, with the exception that council will obtain an replace on the rebate program’s progress earlier than it’s set to finish Dec. 31 of subsequent yr.
Earnings-qualified electrical fee CARE prospects (households that take part within the lowered electrical fee CARE program) can obtain a $700 rebate for an e-bike buy. Those that buy an e-bike from a Healdsburg retailer will obtain $400.
“We’re actually attempting to maintain that cash native,” mentioned Healdsburg’s Utility Conservation Analyst Felicia Smith. “At present the one retailer in Healdsburg is Spoke People.”
Those that buy an e-bike outdoors of Healdsburg will probably be eligible for a $300 rebate and those that buy an e-bike conversion equipment can obtain a $50 rebate.
E-bikes can vary in value from $500 to 1000’s of {dollars} relying on the make, mannequin and producer.
Based on Smith, rebates will probably be restricted to bicycles supposed for on-road transportation and electrical mountain bikes will probably be excluded from this system. Rebates will probably be restricted to at least one per electrical account, principally one per family and one per industrial enterprise.
Since over half of Healdsburg’s GreenHouse Gasoline (GHG) emissions may be traced to vehicle-related transportation, Smith says e-bikes generally is a good device for serving to to cut back emissions.
A median automotive emits 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide per yr and Healdsburg averages 29 automobile miles travelled every day per capita.
E-bikes may cut back 0.2 to 0.4 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions per bicycle per yr, assuming a spread of 12 to 14 miles per week of averted automobile miles travelled based on Smith’s calculations.
Whereas Naujokas has been a proponent of discovering inexperienced options for town of Healdsburg, he voiced concern that the rebate program targets the higher to center class earnings bracket extra so than the low-income bracket.
He mentioned he was extra inclined to focus the pilot program towards workers and industrial accounts so, for example, the native hospital may buy a number of bikes, obtain the rebate, and supply the bikes to their workers.
“I’m a bit uncomfortable about this system within the sense that it does appear to focus on the higher center class earnings brackets extra so than different earnings brackets. Sure, it’s a pilot program and we are able to see the way it works and tweak it as we go, however then again, with such a restricted scope I’m undecided how a lot we’d truly achieve,” Naujokas mentioned. “I might be extra inclined to say let’s concentrate on the employers and let’s concentrate on the industrial accounts and develop the (rebate) limitation on industrial accounts.”
Those that spoke throughout public remark additionally anxious whether or not the scope of this system could be a real profit for all Healdsburg residents, and resident Mark McMullen identified that not solely are e-bikes costly, however it may be troublesome to discover a protected place to retailer them.
“This appears to not be focused at our lower-income and common residents in Healdsburg, it looks like with this form of a rebate it isn’t going to have an effect on the overwhelming majority of Healdsburg residents. Additionally, e-bikes are very apt to be stolen, so if you’re a low-income resident and also you do get one, how are you going to hold that protected?” McMullen mentioned.
Resident Charlie Duffy mentioned he thought the cap and commerce cash may very well be used higher and spent on one thing else.
“To be very trustworthy, what we’re doing right here is we’re subsidizing the higher center class. This cash may very well be significantly better spent in direction of an e-bike police cruiser relatively than a bunch of e-bikes,” Duffy mentioned.
Resident Ariel Kelley echoed the audio system’ issues and reiterated issues in regards to the skill to roll out this system to decrease earnings residents, the price of the e-bikes, and the potential for theft.
“I urge the council to take heed to the general public and use the cap and commerce allocations in one other means,” resident Tim Unger added.
The one one who spoke in favor of this system was Iris Weaver of the Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition.
Mayor Evelyn Mitchell, Vice Mayor Shaun McCaffery and Councilmember David Hagele additionally expressed assist for this system.
Hagele opined this system will profit the neighborhood in case you take a step again and have a look at the overarching objective of this system, which is to cut back automotive journeys and enhance connectivity.
“I feel proper now the best way that is arrange is sweet … I feel it is a good incentive program that’s value attempting,” he mentioned.
Councilmember Ozzy Jimenez mentioned whereas he does have reservations about this system, he agrees with Hagele that town ought to strive it out to evaluate and see the place the gaps are in this system.
Naujokas mentioned he nonetheless didn’t really feel snug with this system, however may “see the place the wind was going,” and in the end voted for it.
The town electrical division will return to council at a later date to offer an replace on this system’s progress.
