Scottish E-Bike Program, Scotland, 2020

Since the pandemic, countries across the world have seen an increase in cycling as their primary form of mobility. Scotland has paid attention to this trend and has doubled down on already existing efforts to increase the use of e-biking. Scotland’s E-Bike Grant program offers up to 6,000 euros interest free over four years to individuals and up to 30,000 euros to businesses to purchase e-bike fleets or the use of free electric-cargo bicycles for up to 12 months in exchange for their participation in a research program. The program also focuses on essential workers and granting businesses that were already participants of this program an additional 20,000 euros to expand their fleets. Streetsblog USA believes this model is one that could be adopted in the United States, given its similar trend in decreased public transit and increased cycling since the pandemic. The article discusses the hurdles and restrictions in place for e-bikes in many states, however, the article challenges the United States to consider this model and the crucial role that e-bikes could play for the future of mobility.