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E-Bike Lending Library

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E-Bike Lending Library

This program allows Pierce County residents to learn about e-bikes and borrow an e-bike free of charge. Participants can check out one of our high-quality e-bikes for up to three weeks.

Goal: The goal of this program is to allow potential recipients of WSDOT's WE-Bike rebate to "try before you buy". However, this program is open to anyone who meets the eligibility requirements, not just WE-Bike recipients. To be eligible, participants must either be low income, or live in an "overburdened community". See below for more details on eligibility.

Funding: Funded by Washington's Climate Commitment Act (CCA). The CCA supports Washington’s climate action efforts by putting cap-and-invest dollars to work reducing climate pollution, creating jobs, and improving public health.

Eligibility

To be eligible for this program, you must be a Pierce County resident, must be age 16 or older, and must meet at least one of the following requirements: 
 
Low Income: Your household is low income, and you qualify for one of the following programs:

  • SNAP / EBT / Food Stamps

  • Free or reduced school lunch

  • ORCA Lift

  • Section 8 or other housing voucher

  • Apple Health or Medicaid

  • Received a $1200 WE-Bike rebate from WSDOT

  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

 
Overburdened Community: You live in an overburdened community, as defined by the Climate Commitment Act. Use this map to check whether your neighborhood qualifies:

 

How to Get Started

 

If you are eligible for the program and you would like to borrow an e-bike, the first step is to fill out our Registration Survey:

 

After completing the survey, you will be contacted to schedule an orientation. Once you have completed the orientation, you can borrow a bike for up to three weeks. You are welcome to borrow different bikes and try out different models. You will be able to browse our inventory and place reservations through MyTurn. 

FAQ

  • How do e-bikes work?

    • The basic answer is: an e-bike is a bike with an electric motor. The motor can either assist you while you pedal, or on some models the motor can be controlled with a throttle on the handlebars. You can also ride the bike without using the motor. The motor is powered by a battery, which has to be plugged in and charged approximately every 25-80 miles. There are a lot of different kinds of e-bikes with different capabilities.

  • Will this cost me anything?

    • Nope! Qualified borrowers can borrow an e-bike for free, plus receive a free helmet to keep. 

  • How do I know if I qualify to borrow an e-bike?

    • Check the eligibility section above, and contact us if you have questions. 

  • Do I need to provide my own helmet or lock?

    • Nope, you don’t need to provide anything. All participants will receive a free helmet to keep, and your bike will come with all the basic accessories you need. This may include: a lock, front or rear cargo racks, bag(s) or basket(s), front and rear lights, fenders, and a water bottle cage.

  • What kind of bikes are available?

    • Currently (as of July 2026), we have the Marin Fairfax Electric in step-through and standard frames. This is an affordable commuter-style e-bike, perfect for trips around town. We have plans to add more types of e-bikes, including cargo bikes, folding bikes, and accessible options like e-trikes. If there’s a type of bike you would like to borrow that we don't have yet, fill out our registration survey and we will contact you when a bike is available. 

  • What is the WE-Bike Program?

    • The WE-Bike Program is a WSDOT program that provides a rebate of $300 or $1200 (depending on household income) to help a qualified applicant buy an e-bike. You could be eligible! Lern more and apply here: https://ebikeswsdot.aptim.com/

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