BRATTLEBORO — The electric bicycle as a serious mode of transportation is getting a big boost in Vermont and so are Brattleboro's bike shops.
Green Mountain Power has developed a related rebate program for its customers. At participating Vermont bike shops, customers can get a $200 rebate on an electric bike, electric cargo bike, or an installed electric-assist conversion kit.
In addition, GMP has teamed up with VBike, the state's e-bike advocacy organization based in Brattleboro, to help its customers with VBike's free bike consultation program, which is funded by VTrans through Go Vermont, Vermont's alternative transportation agency.
VBike's consultation program provides free advice on bike design and technology for the specific needs of Vermont residents. Electric assist technology enables a bike rider to go further, climb hills with ease, and feel safer and more comfortable.
According to a VBike news release, the electric bike “is the perfect replacement for a gas-powered car since it has been estimated that an electric bike is at least 40 times more energy efficient than the average gas power car and nearly 10 times more efficient than an electric car.”
Brattleboro's two bike shops - Burrow's Specialized Sports and Brattleboro Bicycle Shop - will participate in the GMP rebate program.
Brattleboro Bicycle Shop has brought in an extensive line of electric bikes and recently started selling the Gazelle line of electric bikes from Holland. They also will convert almost any bike into an e-bike by installing an e-assist conversion kit.
Burrow's Specialized Sports has focused on cargo bikes and converting these highly utilitarian bikes with sophisticated e-assist conversion kits. They also offer a lower-end conversion kit for regular bikes.