Any resident of Charlottesville*, age 18 or older at the time of the drawing, may enter the drawing. You must be able to provide a valid form of identification and proof of residency to pick up your voucher. Only one entry per household will be accepted, provided they meet the stated residency and age criteria.

For 2026, the the program has been modified to serve a broader number of community members. Going forward, the City will issue grant vouchers valued between $500 and $1,500 each, based on the following eligibility:

1. $500 vouchers, available to all City residents 18 years of age or older;
2. $1,000 vouchers, available to all City residents 18 years of age or older earning ≤80% of Area Median Income (AMI);
3. $1,500 vouchers, available to all City residents 18 years of age or older that are enrolled in SNAP, WIC, TANF, or Medicaid.

*Employees of the City of Charlottesville municipal government (for example, employees of the departments of Public Works, Neighborhood Development Services, Social Services, etc.) and their immediate family members (spouse, parent, sibling, child, grandparent, or grandchild) are not eligible for the e-bike voucher grant program. Employees of Charlottesville City Schools, the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library, and other entities separate from the City of Charlottesville itself are eligible for the program.

We will draw 36 winners per quarter.

An electronic tool will be used to randomly select 36 entries, with 12 applicants selected from each of the three voucher tiers from all applications received. Each winner must be able to verify their identity and provide proof of residency and eligibility for Tier 2 or 3 as applicable. If they are not able to do so, we will draw another name at random using the same process.

There will be 3 tiers of vouchers awarded in 2026:

1. $500 vouchers, available to all City residents 18 years of age or older;
2. $1,000 vouchers, available to all City residents 18 years of age or older earning ≤80% of Area Median Income (AMI);
3. $1,500 vouchers, available to all City residents 18 years of age or older that are enrolled in SNAP, WIC, TANF, or Medicaid.

E-bikes come in many types, styles, and price-points. This program is designed to help Charlottesville residents access commuter-style e-bikes and we’ve worked with the local bike shops to ensure they can offer good-quality bikes that can be purchased with the vouchers. It’s important to consider buying a bike that will be both reliable and easy to service when the need arises. Your local bike shops only sell brands they have determined meet this criteria.

The goal of this pilot voucher grant program is to get more folks on bikes in Charlottesville. We want you to get a bike that will not only be fun, but also reliable, safe, and serviceable. Working with local bike shops means quality, warranty-backed product selection and the confidence that you’ll be able to find parts for and service your bike for many years to come. Plus, supporting small, local businesses is good for Charlottesville’s ecosystem!

You can register online for the drawing anytime during the first month of each quarter (January, April, July, and September). Entries will be accepted through the last day of the month.

Winners will be drawn the first Wednesday of the second month of each quarter (February, May, August, and October).

We can help you fill out an application at City Hall during the month when applications are being accepted (the first month of each quarter). To set up a time to come in, call the Neighborhood Development Services office at (434) 970-3723 and ask for Tommy.

Program staff will notify the randomly selected grantees via e-mail, telephone, and/or USPS letter. You will receive information on how to pick up your voucher. If you do not receive an email, you were not selected and you are encouraged to enter again next quarter.

You have 2 weeks from the date of the drawing to claim and/or pick up your voucher. Grantees will be notified of the days and times vouchers can be picked up. City staff will work with recipients to make alternate arrangements for pick-up if needed.To pick up your voucher, go to Neighborhood Development Services inside of City Hall, Tuesdays and Thursdays between 9am and 12pm. If you need assistance getting your voucher, reach out to Bike & Pedestrian Coordinator, Tommy Safranek at (434) 970-3723 or safranekt@charlottesville.gov.

Government-issued photographic ID (for example, driver's license, identification card, or U.S. passport) showing the grantee's name and City of Charlottesville residential address; or, if the government-issued ID does not show a Charlottesville residence, a government-issued photographic ID and one of the following showing a current Charlottesville address: residential lease; property tax bill; utility bill; tax assessment invoice; voter's registration; change of address notice issued by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles; or prison discharge documentation.

You may present your valid government issued ID or present any one (1) of the following with an address located within the City of Charlottesville:

• Utility bill from the last 3 months
• Property tax bill from current or previous year
• Copy of a current lease
• Tax assessment
• Current voter’s registration card
• DMV change of address form within the last 3 months
• Prison discharge documentation within the last 3 months

You can redeem your voucher within 90 days of the drawing at any participating retailer. Program staff will notify Authorized Retailers by e-mail of each grant voucher issuance. Currently, the approved vendors are Blue Ridge Cyclery (all locations), Endeavor Cycles and Blue Wheel Bikes.

Grant vouchers may be redeemed at any of the Authorized Retail stores to be used toward the purchase of an e-bike or e-cargo bike, and certain related accessories. Each Authorized Retailer has executed a Memorandum of Understanding with the City outlining the responsibilities of each party in implementing the Program, and is registered as a City of Charlottesville Vendor. Participating retailers honor the vouchers as a point-of-sale discount for voucher recipients and then invoice the City for a rebate.

No, the voucher does not have any cash value. It may only be redeemed in-store at one of our approved retailers towards the purchase of a qualifying e-bike.

Yes, grant vouchers expire 90 days from the date of the drawing. You must claim / pick up your voucher within 2 weeks and redeem it within 90 days of the drawing.

Yes! Entries do not roll over, so if you want to participate again you will need to fill out a new application to be eligible to win a voucher the following quarter.

As of the launch of the pilot program, only one winner per household will be permitted for the lifetime of the program. This is to ensure optimal access to e-bikes across households within Charlottesville. The City may revisit this rule after the pilot program has taken flight and we have gathered more data on the effectiveness and reach of the program.