Explanation
E-bikes are electric bicycles with a motor that gives riders a boost. E-bikes are a low-cost, energy efficient, climate-friendly form of transportation. E-bikes use rechargeable batteries and travel up to 28 mph. When you use an e-bike to get around, you can:
• Save thousands of dollars per year on fuel and maintenance by replacing daily car trips with e-bike rides
• Bike greater distances and across harder terrain
• Set aside worries about arriving sweaty at your destination
• Reduce your carbon footprint while running errands or commuting to work
In addition to creating low-cost, affordable transportation, the Resident E-bike Subsidy Program is also providing climate-friendly transportation and will help Columbus reach our Climate Action Plan goals by reducing the carbon footprints in our community.
This program will provide vouchers for residents who are interested in purchasing an e-bike. Residents will need to apply for the program and once selected to receive a voucher, they would be able to redeem the voucher at the point of sale and the bike shop would in turn receive that money.
As a leader in the transportation and mobility space, Smart Columbus was chosen for their expertise and user-centric programmatic designs. As e-bike subsidy programs continue to grow nationwide, Smart Columbus' agile and collaborative innovation will be integral in advancing what is new and next at the intersection of transportation, technology, and community good. Smart Columbus will help to administer this program, via a grant agreement with the Department of Public Service, by helping to identify our target customer, ensuring that it is accessible by all, and identifying community partners that would support our goal of providing access to low-cost, affordable modes of transportation
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Public Service to enter into a grant agreement with Smart Columbus in an amount up to $250,000.00 to administer the Resident E-bike Subsidy program to create a multimodal transportation option for residents that reduces the carbon footprint in Columbus and supports our goal of carbon neutrality by 2050; to authorize the appropriation and expenditure in the Neighborhood Initiatives Subfund; and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, creating multimodal forms of transportation is paramount; and
WHEREAS, e-bikes serve as a low-cost, affordable form of transportation; and
WHEREAS, electric modes of transportation assist in lowering our carbon footprint; and
WHEREAS, it is the goal of Columbus to be carbon neutral by 2050; and
WHEREAS, an e-bike subsidy programs can help low-to-moderate income individuals access transportation choices that might be otherwise unavailable; and
WHEREAS, this program will provide vouchers for residents who are interested in purchasing an e-bike. Residents will need to apply for the program and once selected to receive a voucher, they would be able to redeem the voucher at the point of sale and the bike shop would in turn receive that money; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Service in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into a grant agreement with Smart Columbus in support of the Resident E-bike Subsidy program to avoid delays in starting the program; NOW, THEREFORE
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Public Service is hereby authorized to enter into a grant agreement with Smart Columbus in an amount up to $250,000.00 to administer the Resident E-bike Subsidy program to create a multimodal transportation option for residents that reduces the carbon footprint in Columbus and supports our goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.
SECTION 2. That the Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to appropriate $250,000.00 to the Department of Public Service within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100018, in Services-03 per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That per the action authorized by Section 1 of this ordinance, the expenditure of $250,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed is hereby authorized in the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100018, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this legislation.
SECTION 5. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 6. That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.