• grue@lemmy.world
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    24 days ago

    Sigh… as usual:

    1. The program is woefully underfunded and capped to serve only the first X people instead of everyone who applies.

    2. You have to buy from an “eligible retailer,” which means you have to buy locally at prices that are invariably considerably higher than direct-to-consumer budget brands like Lectric and Rad. In other words, the real savings is at best much less than $1,500, and at worst, nonexistent.

    I get the impression that these sorts of programs tend to be as much about propping up local bike shops as they are about increasing the mode share of e-bikes, and this one is no exception. Not that I don’t think LBSs are important, but I wish they’d quit saddling the programs with these competing goals.

    • dumples@midwest.social
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      23 days ago

      Yeah. I really tried today to sign up. I am glad there is that much demand. We might get more money next year if we all keep our democratic majority