Tampa resident and cyclist visiting the Tampa MOVES table at 2022 Mobility Day

eBike Voucher Program

ebike

 

*The eBike Voucher Applications has CLOSED! Thank you so much to our over 900 applicants!*
 

How to Apply

As a City of Tampa Resident:
  1. Review the Program Information Packet and all information on the program website.

  2. The application window has CLOSED!

    Sign up for program updates below to be notified before application closes. 

  3. You will need the Applicant Conditions Form, Proof of ID, Proof of Residency, and Income Qualification (if applicable).

  4. Fill out the eBike Voucher Program Application to be entered into the program lottery.

  5. Expect to hear from staff about the status of your application during before Friday May 5th.
As a City of Tampa Bike Shop:
  1. Review the Program Information Packet and all other information on the program website.

     

  2. Read, print, and sign the Bike Shop Conditions Form. You will need to upload this when applying.

     

  3.  Fill out and submit the Bike Shop Application. Bike shop application window closed on March 9th.

     

  4. Program staff will reach out after the application window closes to inform Bike Shop Applicants of their status within the program.

 

Sign up for program updates (This is NOT the program application)

* indicates required
Cover page of the City of Tampa eBike Voucher Program Information Packet

Program Information Packet

Learn about the City of Tampa eBike Voucher Program and its requirements.

Business men in suits shaking hands.

Bike Shop Conditions Form

*Bike shop application window closed on March 9th.*

View, print, and sign the bike shop conditions form.

 

The Bike Shop Application can be found at the bottom of this page.

Person signing an agreement on the signature line.

Applicant Conditions Form

View, print, and sign the applicant conditions form.

 

The eBike Voucher Program Application window has CLOSED!
Women dressed in fancy clothes for the Fancy Women Bike Ride

Florida Bike Statutes

View and familiarize yourself with the Florida State Statutes related to bicycle operation.

Bike parked in an on-street bright yellow micro-mobility hub.

Micro-Mobility Parking Locations

Map of City of Tampa micro-mobility parking locations.

Map of the city limits of the City of Tampa.

City of Tampa Boundary Map

View the City of Tampa city limits map.

Frequently Asked Questions

We have received over 900 applications for this round of the program!!! Please allow us some time to review all of these applications. Applicants can expect to hear back about the status of their application before Friday May 5th.

The current eBike Voucher Program only supports the purchase of Class I eBikes and eCargo Bikes. The description of each are below:

  • Class I eBikes
    • A bicycle equipped with an electric motor that provides assistance only when the user rider pedals, with speeds up to 20 mph.
  • eCargo Bike
    • A bicycle of larger size, equipped with a gear-hauling motor that allows for the transport of passengers or groceries with pedal assistance.

The eBike Voucher Program application window has CLOSED! Stay tuned for potential future rounds of the eBike Voucher Program.

The voucher program lowers the upfront cost of the eBike to the recipient making the program more accessible to income restricted individuals. Where in a rebate program, the recipient would be responsible for paying for the eBike in full at the time of purchase and then waiting to obtain a refund check.

Voucher Program vs Rebate Program Diagram

 

To qualify for an Income-Qualified voucher your annual household income must be at or below the City of Tampa Area Median Income, as reported by the US Census, of $59,893. As part of the application, you must provide proof of household income for all residents within the household via your most recent paystub, Social Security check/benefits, W2 or 1099 form, or Unemployment benefits/workers compensation documents.

To successfully fill out the eBike Voucher Program Application you must provide the following documents:

  • Applicant Consent Form
  • Proof of Identity and Date of Birth
    • Florida Driver's License is preferred but the applicant may also provide a copy of their Birth Certificate, a Valid U.S. Passport, or Passport Card.
  • Proof of Residency
    • If you provide your Florida Driver's License as Proof of Identity and Date of Birth no additional documentation is required for Proof of Residency.
    • Otherwise you may provide your current rental/lease agreement, Florida Voter Registration card, Florida Vehicle Registration or Title, or the most recent Utility Bill.
  • Income-Qualification (Only if applying for an Income-Qualified Voucher)
    • Applicants claiming Income Qualification must provide one of the following for each resident of the household:
      • Most recent paystub Social Security check/benefits, W2 or 1099 forms, or Unemployment Benefits/Workers Compensation Benefits.

Bike Shops must meet all of the following requirements to qualify for participation in the eBike Voucher Program.

  • Must be a brick-and-mortar store (vouchers will not be redeemable for any online sales)

  • Must be located within the City of Tampa boundaries

  • Must sell eBikes at the indicated physical location

  • Must be capable of providing on-site maintenance for eBikes

  • Must agree to provide voucher recipient with a bike helmet at no cost

  • Must agree to have a brief consultation meeting with interested program applicants

  • Must read, agree to, and sign the program “Bike Shop Conditions

If you are a bike shop interested in participating in the eBike Voucher Program, please fill out the Bike Shop Application.

Participating Bike Shops

  • City Bike Tampa, 208 E Cass St, Tampa, FL 33602
  • Oliver’s Cycles Sports, 18055 Highwoods Preserve Pkwy, Tampa, FL 33647
  • Outspokin Bicycles Tampa, 3300 S Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33629
  • Rayvolt Tampa, 1411 N 17th St, Tampa, FL 33605
  • Tampa Bay eBikes, 4004 S MacDill Ave, Unit 6, Tampa, FL 33611
  • South Tampa Bicycle Co., 3431 S West Shore Blvd, Tampa, FL 33629

The bike shop consultation is a required component of the program for both participating bike shops and all applicants. The applicant should reach out the participating bike shop that they plan to purchase an eBike from to discuss the following:

  • Intended use of the eBike

  • Types/Classes of eBikes and different standards and customizable features

  • Opportunity to identify correct height and size of eBike for the applicant

  • Available in-stock eBikes

  • Standard maintenance expectation

  • Answer the applicant’s questions to the best of the bike shop’s ability

The following are NOT INCLUDED in the eBike Voucher Program:

  • Full Suspension Electric Mountain Bike

    • Program intent is for trip replacement, and these eBikes are for recreational purposes.

  • eBike Conversion Kits

    • Conversion kits vary greatly in application, integration, and quality. For the assurance of safety, maintenance, and integrity of the program, these are not included.

  • Class II eBike

    • eBikes in this class are throttle assist and do not require pedaling. They do not align with the program goal of encouraging healthy habits as no pedaling is required for operation.

  • Class III eBike

    • With top speeds around 30 miles per hour, these bikes may pose safety concerns within designated bike facilities or on sidewalks.

The graphic below shows the City of Tampa eBike Voucher Program goal alignment with these plans:

Program alignment with other City of Tampa Plans

 


eBike Voucher Program Overview

The City of Tampa Mobility Department is offering an eBike Voucher Program for all City of Tampa residents. This program will not only help overcome some of the existing barriers to eBike ownership but will also provide access to reliable transportation to jobs, promote sustainable transportation, and improve the City's carbon footprint.

The eBike Voucher Program will provide qualified and approved applicants with an upfront discount towards the purchase of a new eBike from a participating local bike shop. Directing the focus of the program towards City of Tampa residents and City of Tampa businesses encourages a positive local impact as an outcome from project implementation.

Vouchers provided through this program range in value from $500 to $2,000 based on the voucher type and the applicant's income qualifications.

 

What is an eBike?

eBikes are electric bicycles with a motor that gives riders a boost. eBikes use rechargeable batteries and travel up to 28 m.p.h. When you use an eBike to get around, you can:

  • Save thousands of dollars per year on fuel and maintenance by replacing daily car trips with e-bike rides
  • Bike greater distances and across harder terrain
  • Set aside worries about arriving sweaty at your destination
  • Reduce your carbon footprint while running errands or commuting to work

 


 

Do I qualify for a voucher?

In order for an applicant to qualify for the eBike Voucher Program they must meet all of the following criteria:

  • Live within the City of Tampa limits
  • Be 18 years old or older
  • Intend to use the eBike to replace trips that would otherwise have been taken by an automobile
  • Reach out to a participating bike shop for consultation prior to completing the application

 

Ybor, Downtown, Westshore, and South Tampa Map of bicycle facilities.

 

eBike Voucher Types

This program offers four (4) different eBike Voucher types to address different needs and planned uses of applicants. The four (4) eBike Voucher types are described below:

  • Standard eBike Voucher
    • Available to all City of Tampa residents that meet the application requirements, valid for $500 off the purchase of a new Class I eBike from a participating bike shop
  • Standard eCargo Bike Voucher
    • Available to all City of Tampa residents that meet the application requirements, valid for $1,000 off the purchase of a new Class I eCargo Bike from a participating bike shop
  • Income-Qualified (IQ) eBike Voucher
    • Available to all City of Tampa residents that meet the application requirements AND the have a total household income equal to, or less than, the City of Tampa Area Median Income of $59,893 (household income verification required), valid for $1,000 off the purchase of a new Class I eBike from a participating bike shop
  • IQ eCargo Bike Voucher
    • Available to all City of Tampa residents that meet the application requirements AND the have a total household income equal to, or less than, the City of Tampa Area Median Income of $59,893 (household income verification required), valid for $2,000 off the purchase of a new Class I eCargo Bike from a participating bike shop

 

Davis Islands dedicated striped bicycle lanes

 

Application Requirements

To apply for an eBike Voucher you must provide the following information:

  • Applicant Cannot have Received an eBike Voucher as Part of this Program Previously
  • Read, agree to, and sign the “City of Tampa eBike Voucher Program Applicant Conditions Form” and submit it with your application.
  • Proof of Identification (Florida Driver’s License, Birth Certificate, Valid U.S. Passport or Passport Card)
  • Proof of Residency (Florida Driver’s License, Rental/Lease Agreement, Recent Mortgage Statement, Florida Voter Registration Card, Florida Vehicle Registration or Title, Recent Utility Bill.)
  • Identification of Bike Shop Applicant will Purchase eBike From
  • Identification of the Type of eBike Voucher Applied For
  • Income Documentation (If Applying for an Income-Qualified Voucher) (Recent Paystub, W2 or 1099 Form, Unemployment Benefits/Workers Compensation Benefits, for each member of the household)
  • Pledge to Use eBike to Replace Vehicle Trips
  • Pledge to Keep the eBike for One (1) Year
  • Pledge to Complete all Basic Maintenance on eBike for One (1) Year
  • Pledge to Participate in three (3) Surveys Over the Course of One (1) Calendar Year

 

Application form being filled out on an electronic tablet.
Program Application Form

*Program application has CLOSED.*
 

Fill out the Application Form to be entered into the program lottery.

*You will need to upload a signed copy of the "Applicant Conditions Form" to complete this application*

Applicant Selection Process

Voucher recipients will be chosen through a lottery process for the eBike Voucher type applied for.

The number of available vouchers of each type is determined by project funding and for the 2023 Application Process the allotted number of vouchers can be seen below:

  • Standard eBike Voucher – 60
  • Standard eCargo Bike Voucher – 50
  • IQ eBike Voucher – 50
  • IQ eCargo Bike Voucher – 20

 

eBike Eligibility

  • Only Class 1 eBikes qualify for this program
    • Class 1 eBike: an electrical assisted bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of 20 m.p.h.
  • Must have two or three wheels and fully operational pedals
  • The electric motor must not be gas-powered
  • Class 2, Class 3, eBike Conversion Kits, and Full Suspension Mountain eBikes are excluded from the program

 

eCargo Bike Eligibility

eCargo Bikes must have an extended frame designed to carry additional people or cargo. eCargo Bikes must meet all of the following criteria:

  • Designed to carry one or more passengers in addition to the rider OR designed to carry heavier or bulkier loads than a traditional bike can carry
  • Bike has an extended frame (long tail, long john, Bakfiet or box bike)
  • Bike’s extended frame has a published cargo load carrying capacity of at least 100 lbs

 

May Castor, City of Tampa staff, and residents riding along the green spine cycle track in Ybor.

 

Redeeming Your eBike Voucher

To qualify for the eBike Voucher Program, you must purchase a NEW eBike from a participating bike shop. The eBike must be for personal use by the applicant and not for resale. Vouchers are not retroactive to past purchases.

To take part in the City of Tampa eBike Voucher Program, bike shops must be a brick-and-mortar retail location within the City of Tampa boundary that sells qualifying Class 1 eBikes and eCargo bikes, as well as provides on-site sales (online purchases are excluded from this program), service, and repair.

Bike shops must confirm the applicant name and ID, voucher ID number, and voucher type matches each eBike buyer in-person at the time of sale.

 


 

Participating Bike Shops

  • City Bike Tampa, 208 E Cass St, Tampa, FL 33602
  • Oliver’s Cycles Sports, 18055 Highwoods Preserve Pkwy, Tampa, FL 33647
  • Outspokin Bicycles Tampa, 3300 S Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33629
  • Rayvolt Tampa, 1411 N 17th St, Tampa, FL 33605
  • Tampa Bay eBikes, 4004 S MacDill Ave, Unit 6, Tampa, FL 33611
  • South Tampa Bicycle Co., 3431 S West Shore Blvd, Tampa, FL 33629
Woman filling out an application.
Bike Shop Application Form

Fill out the Bike Shop Application Form if you are a City of Tampa local bike shop interested in participating in the eBike Voucher Program.

*Bike Shop Applications for the Spring 2023 Application closed Thursday March 9th*
 

*You will need to upload a signed copy of the "Bike Shop Conditions Form" to complete this application*

City of Tampa Bike Map

Plan your bike trip around Tampa with this PDF map of the existing Tampa bicycle facilities.

VIEW THE MAP