E-Bikes Are Rolling In: Rebates and Lending Library
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Everything You Need to Know About Washington’s E-Bike Rebate Program and Our Developing Lending Library.
Big news for Tacoma! The long-awaited WE-Bike rebate program has officially reopened as of March 30, 2026. With renewed funding from the Washington State Legislature, it’s easier than ever to get on an electric bike.
At 2nd Cycle, we are hard at work preparing to support this movement. From being a participating rebate shop to launching a community lending library, here is the breakdown of what we’re working on and how you can get involved.
WE-Bike Rebates: The 2026 Round
Washington State has allocated $7 million for this round of "instant rebates," which reduce the cost of your bike right at the checkout counter.
How Much is the Rebate?
$1,200 rebate: For income qualifying applicants. (To receive a $1,200 rebate, you must meet all the above criteria, plus demonstrate your income is at or below 80% of your County AMI. For Pierce County 1 person household would be 68k)
$300 rebate: For all other Washington residents (ages 16+).
Key Dates & Timeline
Applications Open: March 30, 2026.
Monthly Selection: Starting April 13, 2026, the program will randomly select applicants each month.
One Application: You only need to apply once to be considered for every monthly drawing through March 2027.
Have more questions you can contact
Email: EBikesWSDOT@aptim.com or Phone: 1-833-909-4222
Regular customer service hours.
Monday-Friday 7am-3pm
Where to Shop?
2nd Cycle is proud to be a participating shop! We are currently working on what we think are the best options for our community, featuring models from Tern and Marin. If you are selected for a rebate, come see us we’ll help you find the right fit for your lifestyle.
🚲 The E-Bike Lending Library (Try Before You Buy)
We know that an e-bike is a big change. To help folks navigate the transition, we are developing an E-Bike Lending Library.
We are currently working on the logistics and expect to begin lending bikes around May or June 2026. Please bear with us while we get everything lined up! Our goal is to allow community members to borrow an e-bike for a few days to see how it handles their actual commute, grocery runs, and hills.
Eligibility & Priorities
We are working on the best way to ensure these bikes serve those who need them most. Current plans include:
Overburdened Communities: Prioritizing residents in South and East Tacoma (check the Ecology Map to see if you live in a qualifying area).
Rebate Qualifiers: If you qualify for the $1,200 state rebate, you will be eligible to borrow from us.
Additional Status: We are also looking at eligibility for veterans, SNAP/EBT recipients, and ESL status.
Poll: Help Us Choose Our Fleet!
We want our library to reflect the needs of Tacoma. We are working on selecting our first four in-house bikes and would love your input! Which of these would be most useful for you to borrow?
The Folder (Tern Vektron): Portable, fits in an apartment/trunk, great for mixed commutes.
The Utility Pro (Tern Quick Haul): Compact but powerful; handles groceries and one kid easily.
The Family Wagon (Tern GSD): The heavy-lifter; can carry two kids or a massive haul of gear.
The Daily Commuter (Marin Fairfax): Lightweight and feels like a "normal" bike, perfect for fitness and fun.
🤝 Partner With Us & Join the Team
Partner Organizations: Once the program is up and running, we want to expand. We are identifying the best options for partner organizations (like AHAT) to host these bikes. Do you have a recommendation for a partner? Reach out and let us know!
We’re Hiring: We are currently looking for an E-Bike Lending Library Manager / Development Manager to lead this program through at least June 2027. If you’re passionate about equitable transportation, we want to hear from you!
Funding Acknowledgment
The 2nd Cycle E-Bike Program and the WE-Bike Rebate are supported with funding from Washington’s Climate Commitment Act. 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. Information about the CCA is available at www.climate.wa.gov.
Questions? Email leon@2ndcycle.org or sign up for our newsletter for updates as we get closer to our May/June launch!
