Paris to offer €500 help-to-buy for e-bikes

Parisians are to be given a big financial incentive to get on two wheels next year, according to MSN News.

The Île-de-France Mobilités transport authority – which covers the city of Paris and outer suburbs - plans to offer residents €500 to buy an electric bike from February.

Valerie Pecresse, president of the authority, told Le Parisien she has submitted a proposal to provide a subsidiary for half the cost of an e-bike - capped at €500 - to all residents.

On average, an e-bike can cost up to €2,000.

"I want all residents to have the same right to electric mobility and a cleaner type of transportation, particularly in small- and medium-sized areas with lots of hills,” Pécresse is quoted as saying.

"The agency hopes to triple the use of bikes in the area by 2021,” she continues. “Bicycle commuting currently accounts for less than 2% of daily trips in the Île-de-France area.”

Steps have already been taken to promote bikes in France. Last year, Transdev entered into an agreement with Mobike to offer ‘free floating’ bicycles to local authorities.