Erika Niedowski Memorial Electric Bicycle Rebate Program

This program is in memory of Erika Niedowski in honor of a dedicated public servant, journalist and clean energy advocate. She passed away in 2020.

An electric bike can take you farther and faster than a conventional bike, while still providing exercise and the exhilaration of biking.

The Erika Niedowski Memorial Electric Bicycle rebate helps increase access to zero emission electric bicycles, making them more affordable and accessible to Rhode Islanders.

Photo of Erika Niedowski

Standard Rebate: Save up to $350, or 30% (whichever is less) of the final purchase of an e-bike, or e-cargo bike. Limit of 2 rebates per household.  

Income-Qualified Rebate: Save up to $750, or 75% (whichever is less) on the total purchase of an e-bike, or e-cargo bike. Limit of 2 rebates per household.

Funding is limited. Applications will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis.

Apply Here

Erika Niedowski Memorial Electric Bicycle Rebate Program Overview:

  • Rhode Island residents only.
  • Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
  • Businesses, non-profit organizations, and government entities are not eligible for rebates.
  • Local Purchases: E-Bikes must be purchased from a local bike shop that specializes in the sale of bikes or e-bikes and is physically located in Rhode Island. 
  • Online Purchases: Online purchases are valid if the e-bike is bought directly from the website of a local Rhode Island bike shop that specializes in bikes or e-bikes and has a physical location in Rhode Island. Online purchases are also valid if purchased from the website of a third-party e-bike seller/manufacturer with a direct association or prior agreement with a local Rhode Island bike shop, with delivery to the associated Rhode Island bike shop for assembly and/or pickup. Simply purchasing an e-bike online and having it delivered to a local RI bike shop without a pre-existing agreement is not considered a valid purchase.
  • Retailer Restrictions: Purchases from “big box” retailers and other large retail chains (Walmart, REI, Target, etc.) do not qualify for this rebate, with an exception for retail chains founded in Rhode Island, such as Ocean State Job Lot.   
    • Promotion Exclusions: Purchases that do not result in a clear and full Rhode Island sales tax payment on the e-bike do not qualify for this rebate, including Ocean State Job Lot Crazy Deals®. 
  • E-Bike purchase date must be on or after program launch date, October 24, 2022. Rebates are not retroactive to past purchases.
  • Electric bicycles that have an electric motor, a battery, and functional pedals.
    • Class 1: an electrical assisted bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of 20 m.p.h.
    • Class 2: an electrical assisted bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance regardless of whether the rider is pedaling but ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of 20 m.p.h.
    • Class 3: an electrical assisted bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of 28 m.p.h.
    • E-Cargo Bikes: built to carry heavy loads and often two or more people. The bikes vary in sizes and shapes, may have two or three wheels, and commonly have a longer wheelbase than a standard bicycle, with space for hauling cargo either in the front or back (great for carrying kids, groceries, etc.,).
  • Scooters, mopeds, motorcycles, Segways, and electric bicycle conversion kits are not eligible for this rebate.
  • Children’s electric bikes, or bikes advertised for children, are not eligible for rebates.
  1. Applicants must purchase an eligible electric bicycle before applying for the DRIVE E-Bike rebate.

     
  2. Applicants must apply for the rebate within 180 days (6 months) of the date listed on the e-bike sales receipt and prior to rebate fund exhaustion or program termination.

     
  3. Applicants must submit a photo/scan of the sales receipt that includes the purchase date, purchase price, and proof that RI sales tax was applied during the transaction.

     
  4. Applicants must provide proof of age, and RI residency (RI Driver’s license, RI-issued ID).

     
  5. Applicants must provide the e-bike’s serial number, make and model.

     
  6. Applicants must pledge to maintain ownership and operation of the e-bike for at least one year after purchase, barring any physical limitations (to applicant or device) that may arise.

     
  7. Applicants will be notified of their application status by email. It is the applicant’s responsibility to check all DRIVE E-Bike related emails for status updates and requests for additional information or documents required to complete the application.

If approved, OER will award the appropriate rebate amount directly to the applicant in a single payment, by check, within four to six (4-6) weeks from the date of final approval. [1]

a. To meet the income-qualified requirements, the applicant(s) must be enrolled in one of the following programs:

  • Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)
  • Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
  • RI Works Program
  • SSI State Supplemental Payment (SSP)
  • Medicaid
  • Housing Program/Section 8

Applicants who participate in one (or more) of the income-qualified programs highlighted above must submit a document that, at minimum, provides:

  • Applicant name;
  • Name of the qualifying program (see list);
  • The government entity or the managed care organization that issued document;
  • An issue date within the last 12 months or a future expiration date beyond the date of the DRIVE+ application and approval.
     

b. Self-Attestation Form of Income
If the applicant does not participate in a State or Federal Income-Qualified program, the applicant may still qualify for the rebate by submitting a self-attestation form of income[2] based on the 2024 Low-Income Guidelines[3] table below:

Household Size 12 Month 3 Month 1 Month
1 $35,674 $8,918.50 $2,972.83
2 $46,651 $11,662.75 $3,887.58
3 $57,628 $14,407.00 $4,802.33
4 $68,605 $17,151.25 $5,717.08
5 $79,581 $19,895.25 $6,631.75
6 $90,558 $22,639.50 $7,546.50
7 $92,616 $23,154.00 $7,718.00
8 $94,674 $23,668.50 $7,889.50
9 $96,733 $24,183.25 $8,061.08
10 $98,791 $24,697.75 $8,232.58
11 $100,849 $25,212.25 $8,404.08
12 $102,907 $25,726.75 $8,575.58

 

  • Rebate Application.
  • RI Driver’s License, or RI State Issued ID.
  • E-Bike sales receipt that includes the purchase date, purchase price, and proof that RI sales tax was applied during the transaction.
  • Copy of the manufacturers or retail store document (or specification sheet) that includes the bike serial number, make and model.
  • Copy of W9 Form
  • For Income-Qualified Applicants: All documents above and;
  •  Copy of State or Federal Low-Income program participation document, or complete self-attestation form of income (attached to the online application).

Items can be uploaded as photos, saved screenshots, or PDFs.

  • Standard Rebate: Rebate amount is limited to $350.00, or 30% of the final purchase price[4] of the electric bicycle, whichever is less. Limit of two rebates per household – program lifetime.
  • For Income-Qualified Rebate[5]: Rebate amount is limited to $750.00, or 75% of the final purchase price1 of the electric bicycle, whichever is less. Limit of two rebates per household – program lifetime.
  • Must be a Rhode Island resident and 18 years of age or older to apply for the rebate[6].
  • Only valid on purchases of a new e-bike[7].
  • Eligible bicycles include electric bicycles that have an electric motor, a battery, and functional pedals.
  • Scooters, mopeds, motorcycles, Segways, and electric bicycle conversion kits are not eligible for this rebate.
  • Local Purchases: E-Bikes must be purchased from a local bike shop that specializes in the sale of bikes or e-bikes and is physically located in Rhode Island. 
  • Online Purchases: Online purchases are valid if the e-bike is bought directly from the website of a local Rhode Island bike shop that specializes in bikes or e-bikes and has a physical location in Rhode Island. Online purchases are also valid if purchased from the website of a third-party e-bike seller/manufacturer with a direct association or prior agreement with a local Rhode Island bike shop, with delivery to the associated Rhode Island bike shop for assembly and/or pickup. Simply purchasing an e-bike online and having it delivered to a local RI bike shop without a pre-existing agreement is not considered a valid purchase.
  • Retailer Restrictions: Purchases from “big box” retailers and other large retail chains (Walmart, REI, Target, etc.) do not qualify for this rebate, with an exception for retail chains founded in Rhode Island, such as Ocean State Job Lot.   
    • Promotion Exclusions: Purchases that do not result in a clear and full Rhode Island sales tax payment on the e-bike do not qualify for this rebate, including Ocean State Job Lot Crazy Deals®. 
  • Purchase date must be on or after program launch date, October 24, 2022. Rebates are not retroactive to past purchases.
  • Rebate recipients independently select and purchase their own devices and assume all liability.

OER reserves the right to modify or end this rebate program at any time. Funding is limited. Applications will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis.

 

 

Apply Here


[1] Processing times may vary.

[2] Self-Attestation Form of Income is attached to the online application. The applicant must understand that any false statement made in the submitted information may be punishable as under Rhode Island Law, and in accordance with any applicable statute.

[3] Income Guidelines are based upon State Median Income calculations with a calculation methodology. OER used the Low- Income Guidelines provided by the Department of Human Services FFY 2024 Low Income Guidelines RI.

[4] Purchase price does not include RI taxes, or shipping fees to the retail store.

[5] Applicants must show proof of participation in a State or Federal income-qualified program or submit a self-attestation form of income (for those who meet the income-eligibility requirements).

[6] RI Driver’s License, or RI-issued ID required.

[7] Must apply for the e-bike rebate within 180 days (6 months) of e-bike purchase date.