25 Charlottesville Residents to Receive $1,000 E-Bike Vouchers This Summer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 26, 2025

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA — The City of Charlottesville continues expanding access to sustainable transportation through its innovative C'ville E-Bike Voucher Grant Program, providing 25 residents with $1,000 vouchers to purchase electric bicycles from local retailers each quarter.

Program Highlights

Quarterly Voucher Distribution: 25 vouchers awarded each quarter
Participating Retailers: Endeavor Cycles, Blue Ridge Cyclery, and Blue Wheel Bicycles
Eligibility: City of Charlottesville residents 18 and older
Entry Period: July 1, 2025 through July 31, 2025 at 5 PM

Program Details
The pilot program, launched in January 2025, aims to make e-bikes more accessible while supporting the City's sustainability goals. With Charlottesville's challenging terrain, e-bikes offer an innovative solution for residents seeking convenient, eco-friendly transportation.

"E-bikes are a transformative mobility option," said Tommy Safranek, City of Charlottesville Bike and Pedestrian Coordinator. "They break down barriers to cycling, making it possible for more residents to choose active transportation, reduce emissions, and decrease traffic congestion."

Key Program Restrictions

One entry per household per quarter
Employees of the City of Charlottesville municipal government and their immediate family members are not eligible for the e-bike voucher grant program
Employees of Charlottesville City Schools, the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library, and other entities separate from the City of Charlottesville itself are eligible for the program
Previously unselected applicants may reapply during any entry period

Program Success and Impact
The initiative continues to demonstrate significant community interest, with over a thousand entries each quarter. Local bike retailers have successfully matched voucher recipients with high-quality e-bikes, enabling more residents to explore alternative transportation methods throughout the spring and summer months.

"We're thrilled to see the continued enthusiasm from our community for this program," said Safranek. "Each quarter, we're helping more individuals and families discover how e-bikes can transform their daily routines - whether it's commuting to work, running errands, or exploring our beautiful city. The feedback from voucher recipients has been overwhelmingly positive."

Voucher Recipient Testimonial
UVA doctoral candidate T.C.A. Achintya needed a better way to get around and the C’ville E-Bike Voucher Grant Program made that happen when he was awarded a voucher in last quarter’s drawing.

"Honestly, it’s really good at being able to get around town on my own schedule,” Achintya says. “I use it both for some exercise, sort of cycling around my neighborhood when the weather is nice but primarily just to sort of get me from point A to point B without being as bound by the City’s bus schedule, which means I have a lot more flexibility.”

Important Dates for Current Quarter

Entry Deadline: July 31, 2025, at 5:00 PM
Awardee Notification Date: August 7, 2025

How to Apply

Interested residents can submit their entries and find complete program details at cvilleebike.com.

Media Contact:
Tommy Safranek
Bike & Pedestrian Coordinator
City of Charlottesville
434-970-3723
safranekt@charlottesville.gov

25 Charlottesville Residents to Receive $1,000 E-Bike Vouchers This Summer