New Orleans is offering up to $1,200 in rebates to residents who want to purchase an e-bike as part of a plan to increase mobility and reduce planet-heating pollution.

The city announced its Electric Bike Incentive Program and has budgeted for at least 3,000 rebates. 

The city says that 2,000 of those are reserved for income-qualified residents, who will receive $1,200. The other rebates are worth $600. Any leftover funds after purchasing an e-bike can be used for safety and security equipment, such as a helmet, lights, and a lock.

One Reddit user posted about the news in the New Orleans subreddit, attracting cheers from other people. 

"I'm seeing lots more folks on e-bikes, especially older folks, and they are zipping around having a blast and probably getting from A to B faster and feeling more energized," one person said. "All for it."

In addition to being fun, e-bikes can save riders money on gas by reducing the need to make short car trips. 

Riding an e-bike is also a great way to stay healthy: even though you may not have to pedal as much as a regular bicycle, research has shown that using an e-bike can still give you a good workout, PeopleForBikes stated.

Choosing an e-bike over a gas-guzzling car also helps cut down on traffic pollution, which contributes to health issues in addition to warming the planet. In fact, one of New Orleans' stated goals with its E-bike Incentive Program is to lower planet-heating gases from transportation.

If you're interested in exploring e-bikes, Upway is a great resource, offering a variety of options, many of which sell for up to 60% off retail prices. 

From city bikes to mountain bikes, and folding bikes to cargo bikes, Upway can hook you up. If you're looking to sell a used e-bike, Upway will buy it from you.

What factor would be most important for you when buying an e-bike? Price 💰 Battery range 🔋 Max speed 💨 How it looks 💅 Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

If you want to save even more money, installing solar panels will help you reduce your home electricity costs, thereby making it cheaper to charge your e-bike. 

TCD's Solar Explorer is a great resource that can help you make sense of your options and even save money. 

The Solar Explorer does this by giving you access to partners that offer concierge-level service and can even help you save up to $10,000 on installation. Some partners also offer $0-down subscriptions for people looking for budget-friendly alternatives. 

As for the New Orleans rebate program, another resident added some enthusiastic feedback on the Reddit post.

"Love [my electric bike] and the city is actually pretty easy to navigate on one," they said. "Can get from the river to the lake without having to fight too many cars. Kids fit on the back of it too so it's nice having the motor to get going, but then still get as much exercise as you want."

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