Bike advocates seek subsidies too

Whether e-bikes will also get government help hasn’t been ruled out and more will be known when the government’s emissions reduction plan is released before the end of this year.

So says transport minister Michael Wood, adding that subsidies for e-bikes are not currently government policy, although Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency offers help with establishing employer e-bike purchase support schemes, including one for the public sector.

While Wood says e-bikes are a great option for e-mobility, commutes and to cut carbon, he doesn’t commit to incentives, according to Stuff.

Bike advocates want subsidies extended to e-bikes and traditional cycles, along with safety gear.

A petition to Wood from Cycle Action Network member Jill Ford suggests a 20% rebate on e-bikes and a 15% rebate on other bikes and equipment.

The Stuff story says e-bikes require fewer materials and less electricity – so over a lifetime can have a carbon footprint 1/10th of an EV.

Wood is reported as saying he believes the cost of e-bikes is less of a barrier compared to EVs, and that e-bike uptake is already huge.

More than 47,000 e-bikes were imported last year, about double the number of EVs on the road, while in 2019 about 65,000 e-bikes and e-scooters were brought in.