City of La Mesa E-Bike Incentive Program

The City of La Mesa is launching a pilot E-Bike Incentive Program to encourage the adoption of electric bicycles as a sustainable mode of transportation. This program, supported by a grant from San Diego Community Power, is part of La Mesa’s Climate Action Plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote clean, active transportation. It provides financial incentives in the form of vouchers to qualified residents or workers within La Mesa to support the purchase of an approved electric bicycle. Applications for the program will open on March 26, 2025, at 12:00 PM and close on April 14, 2025, at 11:59 PM. Physical applications will be available and accepted at La Mesa City Hall, or applicants may scan and email their completed forms to envirosvcs@cityoflamesa.us. Applicants must complete the official form, agree to the terms and conditions, and answer all program questions. Proof of residence, employment, or income is not required at submission but must be provided if selected. Eligible applicants must be at least 18 years old and must either reside in or work for a business located in the incorporated boundaries of La Mesa. Only one application per household is allowed, and only one voucher will be awarded per household. Vouchers can only be used at the program’s participating local bike shop, Stay True Cycleworks in San Diego. The e-bikes must be selected from the official Eligible Equipment List and must meet specific safety and operational standards, including UL 2849 certification and a maximum motor power of 750 watts. The program offers two types of vouchers: a Standard Voucher of $800 and an Income Qualified Voucher of $1,200. All vouchers will be applied as a point-of-sale discount at the retailer. Proof of income qualification must be submitted if selected and may include recent tax returns, pay stubs, or documentation of participation in state assistance programs like CalFresh or Medi-Cal. Approved applicants are required to participate in a mandatory virtual safety training hosted by the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition on either April 26 or May 1. Only after completing the training will participants receive their e-bike voucher, which must be redeemed by June 1, 2025. The program is competitive, with a total of $45,000 in available funding. Priority will be given to the first 150 applicants, though all applications will be scored based on income qualification and intended e-bike use. Applicants planning to use e-bikes regularly for commuting or errands in La Mesa will receive higher scores and may have a better chance of selection. Selected applicants will be notified by April 18, 2025. Questions can be directed to the City of La Mesa at envirosvcs@cityoflamesa.us or (619) 667-1326.