RALEIGH, N.C. — Joan Lyons says if she had it her way, she would completely get rid of her car and solely rely on her bike. 

What You Need To Know

  •  Vouchers will split into $500 and $1,500 options depending on income level

  •  The program will hopefully roll out by this fall

  •  Supporters hope the city will build accommodating infrastructure for bikes

“It’s just an amazing way to commute,” Lyons said. “Not only for reducing vehicle miles traveled but also for me to let loose, have fun and live my life a little bit.”

Lyons says her 50 minute commute is more than a ride, it’s a statement. 

“I’m confident and comfortable. Again, riding in a dress, riding in heels. Feeling good, feeling groovy, so it works,” she said.

Soon Lyons might not be so alone on her e-bike to work journey.

The City of Raleigh recently passed an e-bike voucher program that provides 150 residents between $500 and $1,500 to buy their own electric bicycles with the help of a federal grant. 

Lyons was a loud voice behind the program’s eventual successful vote, along with her colleagues at Oaks and Spokes. 

“We’re just appreciative and grateful for that they unanimously approved this in their budget and working session a couple days ago,” Lyons said. “So thank you city council members that are out there listening to this. We love you and appreciate you for doing this.”

Lyons says she knows that she could hop in a car and cut her long commute in half, but it wouldn’t be nearly a fun.

It wouldn’t give her the time to stop by her favorite coffee shop and read a book or take in her surroundings. 

“For me, my community is so important to me. You never know who you’re going to meet when you’re out riding, walking, rolling or riding transit,” Lyons said. “You would never be exposed to that if you were just driving your car.”

Lyons encourages everyone to look at applying for the e-bike program, no matter your biking experience level. 

The launch timeline of the program isn’t set yet, but the city hopes to roll it out by this fall.

The city will award 75 applicants with a $1,500 voucher if they meet the income qualification of making 80% or less of the area median income.

The remaining 75 chosen applicants will receive a $500 voucher toward an e-bike purchase. 

“The ease of use of an e-bike will convert many people into regular bike commuters,” Jared Harber, director of Oaks and Spokes, said. “We need to witness this level of growth immediately. The more bikes we have on the road, the more successful advocacy organizations like ours can encourage the city to improve bike access on the streets.”

Harber says that Raleigh should continue to improve upon its safety for bikers, especially in underserved communities. With more excitement building for biking in Raleigh, he says now is the time. 

“While the downtown area and inner-beltline have seen significant improvement in bicycle facility connectivity, once you leave those areas, it becomes quite sparse,” Harber said. “We also have a wonderful greenway system, but as anyone who has ridden it knows, there are plenty of sections that could benefit from better markings to indicate trail connections. If we strive for a complete bike network, that would be amazing.”