(a) Establishment of Fund. The E-Bike Incentive Fund (“Fund”) is hereby established as a category eight fund to support an electric bicycle (“e-bike”) incentive program aimed at promoting sustainable transportation, reducing traffic congestion, improving air quality, and supporting equity in transportation access across San Francisco.
(b) Sources of Funds. The Fund shall receive monies appropriated, donated, or granted for the purposes of supporting the e-bike incentive program.
(c) Use and Administration of Fund.
(1) Responsible Agency. The Department of the Environment (“Department”) shall administer the Fund. The Department may, in its discretion, adopt rules, regulations, and/or guidelines for the distribution of monies in the Fund, consistent with the criteria set forth in subsection (c)(2).
(2) Allowable Uses of Fund. Subject to the budgetary and fiscal provisions of the Charter, monies in the Fund may only be expended for the following purposes:
(A) Providing financial incentives and/or point-of-sale rebates to City residents for the purchase and/or maintenance of e-bikes that meet the definition of Safety-Certified Powered Mobility Devices in Section 325 of the Fire Code, as it may be amended from time to time, and related bike safety and/or security accessories, subject to the following restrictions:
(i) The Department shall make best efforts to ensure that 40% or more of funds disbursed over a fiscal year are disbursed to people who either are low-income, reside in City neighborhoods that are disproportionately burdened by pollution, or reside in City neighborhoods that are disproportionately lacking in public transportation. Individuals that meet these criteria include but are not limited to individuals from neighborhoods that are 1) identified on the California Air Resources Board’s Priority Populations Map as being a disadvantaged community and/or low-income community; and/or 2) identified on the San Francisco County Transportation Authority’s Equity Priority Communities Map as an Equity Priority Community.
(ii) Financial incentives and/or rebates shall only be available for purchases or services from retailers located within the City, except for adaptive e-bikes, for which purchases or services outside the City may qualify for incentives and/or rebates, in the Department’s discretion.
(iii) The Department shall prioritize distribution of funds to individuals with greater financial need.
(B) Outreach and educational programs to promote the proper use of e-bikes, including education on safe charging and disposal.
(C) Data collection, evaluation, and reporting on the impact and effectiveness of the e-bike incentive program and/or feedback from participants to inform other City policies, programs, and/or infrastructure projects.
(D) Administrative (e.g., labor and overhead) and contracting costs incurred by the Department or other City departments associated with the management and implementation of the e-bike incentive program, associated outreach and education programs, and associated data collection, evaluation, and reporting.
(d) Outreach and Coordination. The Department shall conduct outreach with the goal of ensuring equitable access to e-bike incentives. The Department shall conduct outreach aimed at reaching individuals who either are low-income, reside in City neighborhoods that are disproportionately burdened by pollution, or reside in City neighborhoods that are disproportionately lacking in public transportation, as described in subsection (c)(2)(A)(i). The Department shall conduct this outreach in coordination with the Mayor’s Office on Disability, community-based organizations, bike retailers, and/or other community partners.
(e) Reporting. The Department shall maintain a record of Fund revenues and expenditures. The Department shall provide reports to the Board of Supervisors on the program’s operations on the following schedule: the first report shall cover the e-bike incentive program’s first fiscal year of operation, and shall be submitted no later than October 31 following the first fiscal year throughout which the Department has operated an e-bike incentive program continuously; the second report shall be due no later than October 31 of year following submission of the first report, and shall cover the operation of the program during the fiscal year preceding the report submission; and subsequent reports shall be submitted as requested by the Board of Supervisors.
(Added by Ord. 268-24, File No. 240967, App. 11/14/2024, Eff. 12/15/2024)