BEND, OR -- Bend’s e-bike rebate program has come to a close after more than 600 applications. "We had 75 residents of the city of Bend receive their awards and go get their bicycles," Commute Options Executive Director Brian Potwin tells KBND News. Commute Options managed the program, distributing $2,000 vouchers to qualified applicants, "They were able to ditch the car and use this as an important feature to be able to get to and from work, to be able to pick up their children. A lot of folks got commuter bikes; some people actually spent a little more money and got cargo bikes. So this is really a mode shift for them." The rebates were funded by a $150,000 Electric Mobility Grant from Pacific Power. 

Potwin says recipients had to meet residency and income requirements, and complete an online electric bike safety class, "We took it upon ourselves to create the E-bike safety course online, to make it accessible to the applicants." That course is also available to the public for free HERE. 

He hopes the program will return for another round. "We had over 600+ people apply for the funding, so we’re very pleased with the interest level," says Potwin, "Also, this really shows the need for more transportation options within the city of Bend."