State to reopen e-bike rebate program March 30

OLYMPIA — The Washington State Department of Transportation will reopen its WE-Bike e-bike rebate program March 30, expanding access with additional funding and a revised application process.

Washington residents age 16 and older may apply between March 30, 2026, and March 29, 2027, through an online application portal that is expected to launch soon. Applicants will be entered into monthly random selections beginning April 13 and need to apply only once to remain eligible throughout the yearlong period.

The program provides rebates of $300 or $1,200, depending on income eligibility, to be used at participating bike shops toward qualifying electric bicycles across all three classes. Officials said the rebates are intended to offset, but not fully cover, the cost of an e-bike.

The second round follows a pilot program conducted in 2025. According to the transportation department, 37,751 people applied during the pilot, with 6,861 receiving rebate opportunities across all 39 counties in Washington. Survey feedback indicated the rebates influenced purchasing decisions, particularly among lower-income households, and expanded travel options for many users.

The Washington State Legislature initially allocated $5 million for the program in the 2023-25 biennium. Lawmakers renewed and increased funding to $7 million for the 2025-27 biennium.

"We’re proud to deliver the WE-Bike program and excited for communities statewide to benefit from it,” said Kerri Woehler, assistant secretary for multimodal development and delivery at the transportation department. “WSDOT is building a transportation system that works just as well for people driving as it does for people walking, biking and rolling. As we expand Washington’s network of bike routes, WE-Bike makes it possible for more neighbors to take advantage of a convenient, healthy form of transportation.”

Agency officials said final preparations are underway, including training participating bike shops to process rebates and preparing customer service support for applicants.