E-Bike Rebates

To qualify for any of our e-bike rebates, you must be a resident of Denver, Colorado and be 16 years of age or older. Proof of a physical Denver address is required. All documents presented must be dated within one year of application.

To meet the income-qualified requirements, your household income must also be either:

• Below 60% of the state of Colorado’s median income
• Below 200% of the relevant federal poverty level
• Below 60% of area median income.

Example: You live in Denver County. There is one person in your household. Your household income would need to be below $52,140 and below to be eligible for the low-income rebate.

You will need to upload least one of these documents to confirm your household income meets these thresholds:

• Proof of enrollment in Xcel Energy income-qualified demand side management program  
• Proof of enrollment in Xcel Energy’s income-qualified Community Solar Gardens program
• Proof of enrollment in the Denver Property Tax Relief Program
• Proof of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
• Proof of Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Proof of Old Age Pension (OAP)
• Cover page of last year's Form 1040
• Your Form SSA-1099

To qualify for any of our e-bike rebates, you must be a resident of Denver, Colorado and be 16 years of age or older. Proof of a physical Denver address is required. All documents presented must be dated within one year of application.

To meet the income-qualified requirements, your household income must also be either:

• Below 100% of the state of Colorado’s median income
• Below 200% of the relevant federal poverty level
• Between 60% - 100% of area median income.

Example: You live in Denver County. There is one person in your household. Your household income would need to be above $52,140, but below $86,900 to be eligible for the moderate-income rebate.

You will need to upload least one of these documents to confirm your household income meets these thresholds:

• Proof of enrollment in Energy Outreach Colorado’s Colorado Affordable Residential Energy Program (CARE)
• Proof of enrollment in Xcel Energy income-qualified demand side management program  
• Proof of enrollment in Xcel Energy’s income-qualified Community Solar Gardens program
• Proof of enrollment in the Denver Property Tax Relief Program
• Proof of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
• Proof of Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Proof of Old Age Pension (OAP)
• Cover page of last year's Form 1040
• Your Form SSA-1099

To be eligible for an e-bike rebate voucher, you must be a resident of Denver, Colorado and be 16 years of age or older. Proof of a physical Denver address is required. All documents presented must be dated within one year of application. Examples: 

• Colorado Driver's License
• Computer Generated Bill (utility, credit card, doctor, hospital, etc.) 
• Bank Statement 
• Pre-Printed Pay Stub 
• First-Class Mail (from a government agency or court) 
• Current Homeowner's, Renter's, or Motor Vehicle Insurance Policy 
• Mortgage, Lease or Rental Contract 
• Transcript or Report Card from an Accredited School 
• Motor Vehicle Registration 
• USPS Change Of Address Form (CNL107), 
• DD214 
• Individuals who are unable to provide acceptable documents to verify their physical Denver, Colorado address may be eligible to provide alternative documents to meet the requirements 

To qualify for any of our e-bike rebates, you must be a resident of Denver, Colorado and be 16 years of age or older. Proof of a physical Denver address is required. All documents presented must be dated within one year of application.

To qualify for the adaptive e-bike rebate program, you must have a disabling condition that significantly impairs your ability to ride a standard e-bike. Examples of such conditions include a person who uses a wheelchair, walker or crutches, relies on oxygen, has conditions impacting the ability to balance while standing, walking, or riding a bike, or in some other way is unable to use and enjoy a standard e-bike. A Professional* must verify in writing that you require an adaptive e-bike.  

When to apply:

Due to the unique nature of adaptive participants needs, the adaptive rebate can be applied for at any time and does not need to happen during the standard e-bike rebate release period. 

Adaptive e-bikes:

E-bikes are expensive and adaptive e-bikes tend to be even more expensive, typically ranging in price from $4,000 - $10,000. Due to the increased cost of adaptive e-bikes, we have increased the rebate for adaptive e-bikes to $1,400. Unfortunately, even with the increased rebate for the adaptive e-bikes, you should expect to have potentially high out of pocket costs. If you have a disability but are still able to ride an e-bike, we recommend that you proceed through the standard rebate process.  

The adaptive e-bike can only be redeemed at a participating bike shop that sells adaptive bikes. It cannot be redeemed at any other participating bike shop.

Learn more about adaptive riding in Colorado

How do I apply:

If you qualify for an adaptive rebate, please email your proof of residency and your professional’s letter to climateactionrebates@denvergov.org. 

* "Professional" means a physician licensed to practice medicine or practicing medicine pursuant to section 12-36-106 (3) (i), C.R.S. (i) the performance by commissioned medical officers of the armed forces of the United States of America or of the United States public health service or of the United States veterans administration of their lawful duties in this state as such officers. A physician assistant licensed pursuant to section 12-36-107.4, C.R.S., a podiatrist licensed under article 32 of title 12, C.R.S., an advanced practice nurse registered pursuant to section 12-38-111.5, C.R.S., or a physician, physician assistant, podiatrist, or advanced practice nurse authorized to practice professionally by another state that shares a common border with Colorado.

Throughout the year, we ask our e-bike rebate recipients to participate in user surveys. The survey asks how you are using your e-bike and how often your bike is replacing car trips. Look for an email from us about the surveys. You can opt out at any time. 

You will also receive an invite to download the OpenPath app. We have partnered with the National Renewable Energy Lab to use this app to also look at transportation modes and trips. Data like this will help us look at future infrastructure investments like new bike lanes, safe storage areas, and safe charging opportunities.

We encourage you to complete the surveys when you receive them and to download and use the OpenPath app. Neither of these are required, but the more we know, the more we can help make Denver an even better city for cyclists.

Safe riding is the most crucial aspect of e-bike ownership. 

• Riding your e-bike on the sidewalk is illegal and unsafe.
• Obey all traffic signs, signals and right of way rules.
  • Multi-use paths: 15 mile per hour
  • Crosswalks: 8 miles per hour
  • Streets: Posted Speed Limit
• In Denver you can use the “safety stop” when riding a bike. 
  • At stop signs, ride slowly through stop signs without stopping first. Yield the right of way to pedestrians and other road users who have the right of way. 
  • Treat red lights like a stop sign. Proceed after coming to a complete stop if there is no oncoming traffic.
  • Go less than 10 miles an hour when performing a safety stop. 

Always lock up your bike and wear a helmet. 

• Helmets are not required in the City and County of Denver, but are strongly encouraged.
• A cable lock may be the most affordable and easiest to carry, but it is the least theft-proof option. Check out the Lock Buying Guide for the best and most secure options.
• Your insurance company may have affordable options for an e-bike add-on to your policy. There are also insurance policies that are e-bike specific.

The city has partnered with the 529 Garage program to help you protect your bike. We recommend registering your e-bike as soon as you get it home. You will receive a 529 Shield sticker, which is a deterrent for bike thieves. Cities using 529 Garage have seen up to a 40% decline in bike theft. If your bike is stolen, registration will help you reunite with a recovered bike.

You can ride your new e-bike on streets, multi-use trails and bike paths. The City and County of Denver’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) has bike maps and route finders. Have fun exploring!   

Remember: Sidewalks are not a safe route. It is illegal and unsafe to ride your e-bike on the sidewalk.   

Battery-powered e-bikes are permitted on the bike racks on the front of RTD buses, or onboard light rail and commuter rail trains.

Additional Route-Finding Tools:

Your e-bike has a lithium-ion battery. Please store and charge your battery safely - improper charging and storage cause a fire that is difficult to extinguish. The best way to avoid a fire is to prevent it with safe practices.  The same advice applies to any device powered by a lithium-ion battery, whether it’s a phone, tablet, or robotic vacuum cleaner. 

• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for charging and storage.
• Always use the manufacturer’s cord and power adapter made specifically for the bike.
• Do not leave an electric bike unattended while it’s charging, and don’t leave it charging overnight.
• There are also safe charging bags and boxes available where you can charge and store your battery in a fireproof location.
• If a battery overheats or you notice an odor, a change in shape or color, leaking, or odd noises, stop using it immediately.
• If the battery reacts in an alarming way, and it is safe to do so, move the device away from anything that can catch fire and call 911.
• Keep batteries and devices at room temperature. Do not place them in direct sunlight.
• Store batteries away from anything flammable.
• If you have a problem with or have to replace your e-bike battery, contact the bike shop where you purchased your e-bike.  It’s important to replace a battery that is made for and certified for your bike.

More Battery Safety Tips

If your e-bike battery no longer works, you can now safely dispose of your battery. Denver is requiring all participating bike shops to have a relationship with a battery recycler.

All classes of e-bikes (per the State of Colorado's e-bike definition): 

• Class 1: an electrical-assisted bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of 20 m.p.h.
• Class 2: an electrical-assisted bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance regardless of whether the rider is pedaling but ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of 20 m.p.h.
• Class 3: 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 28 m.p.h.
• Must have two or three wheels and fully operable pedals
• The electric motor must be 750 watts or less and cannot be gas-powered.
• Full-suspension mountain bikes are excluded from the program 

To qualify for the additional $200 for an e-cargo bike, the e-cargo bike must meet all of the following criteria: 

• E-cargo bicycles must have an extended frame designed to carry additional people or cargo. E-cargo bikes are designed to carry:
  • One or more passengers in addition to the rider OR 
  • Heavier or bulkier loads than a traditional bicycle can carry
• The bike has an extended frame (long tail, long john, Bakfiet or box bike)
• The bike's extended frame has a published cargo load carrying capacity of at least 100 lbs.

No. The rebate will cover the full cost of the e-bike, but no more. You will be responsible for paying for the sales tax out-of-pocket.

No. Full-suspension mountain bikes are not covered by the e-bike rebate.

No. To help ensure that residents have a place to get their e-bike repaired, we require that all participating bike shops have a brick and mortar location in the area that performs maintenance on the bikes they sell. You must visit a participating bike shop's brick and mortar location to use your rebate.

No. The rebate can only be used to purchase complete e-bikes.

Earlier this year, the State of Colorado launched an income-qualified e-bike rebate program. On April 1, the State of Colorado will launch a standard e-bike rebate program that will be open to all Colorado residents. This program expands access to e-bike rebates across the state. However, you may not use both rebates to purchase the same e-bike.

The biggest way we are collecting information is through surveys. Throughout the year, we ask our e-bike rebate recipients to participate in a user survey. The survey asks how you are using your e-bike and how often your bike is replacing car trips. Look for an email from us about the the surveys. You can opt out at any time. 

You will also receive an invite to download the OpenPath app. We have partnered with the National Renewable Energy Lab to use this app to also look at transportation modes and trips. Data like this will help us look at future infrastructure investments like new bike lanes, safe storage areas, and safe charging opportunities.

If your e-bike battery no longer works, you can now safely dispose of your battery. Denver is requiring all participating bike shops to have a relationship with a battery recycler.