The Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District, in partnership with the Yolo County Sustainability Division, is offering incentives to help residents purchase certified e-bikes and safety equipment.
The Pedal Forward: E-Bike Incentive Program provides vouchers that can cover up to 100 percent of the cost of a new, eligible e-bike and required safety equipment. Vouchers can only be redeemed at local Participating Bike Shops and will be awarded through a random drawing to ensure equitable access. Only one voucher application will be accepted per household.
Applications are open now and close on July 27, 2026. Click this link to apply.
Voucher amounts
- Standard voucher: Up to $750
- Enhanced voucher: Up to $1,500 for income-qualified applicants
In addition, Yolo County Health and Human Services will provide free helmets to low-income voucher recipients, funded by a grant by the California Office of Transportation Safety.
Eligibility Criteria:
To qualify for this program, your household must:
- Be located in Yolo County or the northeastern portion of Solano County, which includes Dixon, Vacaville, and Rio Vista; and
- Have not previously received an e-bike voucher from the District.
To qualify for an enhanced low-income voucher, your household must:
- Participate in a low-income program, such as PG&E’s CARE, LIHEAP, or WIC; or
- Have a combined household income below one of the following income thresholds:
Eligible E-Bikes:
E-bikes have a battery and electric motor that can be activated to help with pedaling, making the bikes go faster and making it easier to travel longer distances.
All e-bikes purchased through the Program must be Class 1 or Class 2, and must be Underwriter Laboratories (UL) 2271, UL 2849, or European Standard 15194 certified. Class 1 e-bikes only use pedal-assist to go up to 20 miles per hour. Class 2 e-bikes have both pedal assist and a throttle, with a maximum speed of 20 miles per hour.
Eligible e-bikes must also meet the following requirements:
- Come with a one-year minimum manufacturer-provided warranty;
- Come with an integrated front light and either an integrated rear light or battery-operated rear light, or a rear light must be purchased at time of voucher redemption; and
- Come fully assembled.
Equipment eligibility will be ensured by the Participating Retailer at the time of voucher redemption. List of local Participating Bike Shops coming soon.
E-Bike Safety Training
E-bikes (electric bicycles) are a healthy and sustainable alternative transportation option for both commuting and recreation. As the number of e-bike riders grows, understanding safe riding practices becomes increasingly important. While e-bikes may feel similar to traditional bicycles, they are heavier, can accelerate more quickly, and require additional awareness when riding, braking, and maneuvering. Riders should take time to get familiar with their e-bike before riding in traffic or around others. Please see the Yolo County Health and Human Services website for more e-bike safety information.
All voucher recipients will be required to complete the E-Bike Smart online safety training and a Google form that contains the quiz questions for this course. A score of 80 percent or higher is required to receive your voucher. Please note that completing this course does not guarantee that you will receive a voucher.
The E-Bike Smart training was created by PeopleForBikes and the League of American Bicyclists. Completing the training should take 15 to 20 minutes. The course, and this quiz, consist of five modules.
Questions? Please contact ebike@ysaqmd.org.
The program is designed to give residents, especially those who qualify as low-income, access to zero-emission transportation options and reduce vehicle-related air pollution. Funding for the Pedal Forward: E-bike Incentive Program is provided by the Yolo County Landfill Out-of-County Tip Fee Surcharge, the California Air Resources Board’s Community Air Protection Incentives Program, and the California Office of Transportation Safety.
The Yolo County Health and Human Services Agency’s Bike and Pedestrian Safety Program is funded by the California Office of Transportation Safety (OTS).
