To ease their daily commutes and reduce dependence on automobiles, a couple from Portland, Cashel and Hali Stewart, embraced the city’s rebate initiative, Electrify Bikes! This program was designed to make electric bikes more accessible. Previously, Cashel Stewart frequently bicycled the six miles from Deering Center to his workplace in South Portland using a traditional pedal bike, which often left him arriving at work disheveled. In 2023, the couple took advantage of the newly launched Electrify Bikes! program, joining many others at City Hall to enroll.
The initiative allows the city to cover 60% of the cost of a standard electric bike and related accessories, such as locks and helmets, up to a maximum of $2,500. Electric bikes typically range from $1,000 to $6,000, making this rebate particularly appealing for residents seeking durable and versatile transportation options. In its first year, the program, funded with $200,000 from the city’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant, successfully facilitated the purchase of electric bikes for 75 residents. With remaining funds, the city is preparing to extend the program to assist approximately 35 additional Portland citizens.
Eligibility for the program requires participants to reside in Portland and have household incomes at or below 80% of the area median income, which is $68,500 for single-person households and $97,800 for families of four. This initiative is part of the city’s broader efforts to enhance transportation safety and accessibility, following an increase in pedestrian fatalities in 2025. In response, the City Council approved a Vision Zero initiative aimed at eradicating traffic-related deaths and injuries.
Since acquiring their e-bikes, Cashel Stewart has accumulated around 3,000 miles, relying on the bikes for commuting and errands. The couple, who own only one car, appreciates both the financial benefits and the health advantages of cycling. By investing in a $2,000 Aventon bike through the program, Stewart paid about $1,000 after taxes, highlighting the substantial savings offered by the rebate. E-bike recipients are required to purchase from local authorized retailers, supporting community businesses such as REI in Westbrook, L.L. Bean in Freeport, and CycleMania in Portland.
Currently, 200 individuals are on a waiting list for the remaining rebate funds, with only 35 being selected at random in the upcoming weeks. Once chosen, participants have a 30-day window to complete their purchase at participating local shops. This community-driven strategy not only facilitates the sale of fully assembled bikes but also provides a reliable avenue for maintenance and encourages local economic growth.
Alongside this municipal program, the Bicycle Coalition of Maine is actively promoting electric bike use through various initiatives. They offer a fleet of demo e-bikes available for public trials and partner with local libraries to lend e-bikes to patrons for up to a month. Additionally, the coalition runs a program in Lewiston and Bangor, equipping individuals recovering from addiction with electric bikes. These efforts are backed by the Maine Department of Transportation, with funding reaching $200,000.
Portland’s bike-sharing program, in collaboration with Tandem Mobility, complements these initiatives by offering bike rentals for seven months each year. After a successful pilot in 2022 with 4,862 rides, usage increased to 11,392 rides in 2023 and slightly decreased to 8,358 rides in 2024. The program is seen as a significant component in fostering a robust bicycling culture within the city, with advocates emphasizing the need for enhanced cycling infrastructure to support this growth.
