Americans to receive free money worth $2,000 from $1 million ‘lottery’ pot and your paycheck will determine the amount
AMERICANS in one major city could get thousands of dollars to pick up a new mode of transportation.
Atlanta, Georgia, will pay residents up to $2,000 each as part of an e-bike rebate program.
The city is set to pay the cash to those looking to buy electric bikes, but not everyone who applied will receive money.
Applicants will be chosen at random by a lottery.
The most recent application period closed on June 23, 2024.
That’s not the last chance to get money for an e-bike, however.
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Applications are slated to reopen in August, according to the Atlanta Regional Commission, which has helped organize the program.
WHO QUALIFIES?
Though recipients will be chosen at random, most of the money has been set aside specifically for low-income residents.
Three quarters of the total program funds will go to Atlanta residents that make 80% or less of the region’s median income.
For a one person household, that’s $60,200.
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For a four person household, it’s $86,000.
To qualify, you must be an Atlanta resident over the age of 18.
Those who qualified based on income can get $1,500 for a standard e-bike or $2,000 for a cargo e-bike.
Residents who receive rebates but are not in the selected income group will get $500 for a standard e-bike or $1,000 for a cargo e-bike.
After receiving approval, you have 90 days to purchase an e-bike from a retailer participating in the program.
E-bikes typically cost around $1,000 to $2,000.
Rebates will be issued over the month of July.
Electric bikes boom
E-bikes have become a popular way to get around many American cities.
The electronic bicycles typically require pedaling, unlike a motorcycle or a moped.
While some use them for leisure, others view them as a commuting tool.
Because they don't rely on gasoline and cut down on the need for gas-guzzling cars, they have been billed as a climate solution.
They have become especially popular in places like New York City, which has rolled out thousands of electric ride-share bikes.
Occasional crashes involving e-bikes have stirred controversy in some places, but that hasn’t stopped governments from offering incentives to get cars off the road in a bid to increase safety and urban vitality while reducing pollution and congestion.
Proponents of e-bikes also point out that they’re significantly cheaper than cars, making them particularly attractive to low-income urbanites.
Opponents cite speed concerns and the risk of lithium-ion battery fires.
BIKE BOOST
Atlanta is not the only government pushing e-bikes.
California is offering $10 million in rebates to would-be cyclists.
Other states like Connecticut and Hawaii have offered similar rebates, which have proven popular.
In Minnesota, an application portal for e-bike rebates collapsed due to demand.
The portal reopened after maintenance on July 8.
The state closed it quickly after receiving 14,000 applications in just 18 minutes.
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The federal government is pushing rebates for electric cars.
More green tax incentives are available for solar panel installation.