Important Notice
This page explains how RideTHISbike's E-Bike Discovery Ride can help residents make a better decision before using a New Orleans e-bike rebate voucher. This page is not the official City application portal, and RideTHISbike does not decide who receives a rebate.
Official sources control: If anything on this page conflicts with official City or program administrator guidance, the official guidance controls.
Last updated: July 1, 2026
Quick Answer
A Discovery Ride is an extended, guided e-bike evaluation for people who are seriously considering a purchase. For rebate voucher winners, it can be especially useful because the voucher can only be used once and the redemption window may be brief.
The purpose is not simply to ride an e-bike for fun. The purpose is to help you decide whether a specific e-bike fits your body, routes, storage situation, comfort level, and transportation needs before you use a one-time voucher.
Why This Matters for Rebate Voucher Winners
Winning a rebate voucher is exciting, but it can also create pressure. Once someone is selected, they may have only a limited time to choose and purchase a qualifying e-bike.
That is exactly when rushed decisions happen. A resident may choose the first qualifying bike they find, the cheapest bike available, or a bike that looks good online but does not fit their real needs.
Choosing poorly can waste the benefit of the voucher because lottery winners should not expect a second chance at another voucher. The better strategy is to learn before buying, test thoughtfully, and choose the e-bike that has the best chance of being used for years.
How a Discovery Ride Helps
- It gives you real saddle time. A few minutes in a parking lot may not tell you whether the bike will feel right after a longer ride.
- It helps you understand the controls. Pedal assist levels, throttle behavior when available, braking, display settings, and riding position all matter.
- It lets questions come up naturally. Some questions only appear once you are actually riding the bike.
- It helps you evaluate comfort and fit. Saddle height, handlebar position, frame style, weight, and riding posture can affect whether you will use the bike often.
- It reduces the risk of buyer's remorse. The goal is to help you choose the right qualifying e-bike, not simply any qualifying e-bike.
This Is the Rebate-Specific Overview
This Resource Center page explains why Discovery Rides matter for rebate applicants and voucher winners. The full Discovery Ride page includes pricing, purchase credit details, route information, frequently asked questions, and the request form.
When Should I Schedule One?
If you have already been selected for a voucher, a Discovery Ride can help you narrow your decision before the voucher expires. If you have not yet been selected, learning about e-bike styles ahead of time can still help you avoid rushing later.
Because availability, voucher timing, and bike inventory can change, selected applicants should not wait until the final days of their voucher window to begin deciding.
Common Questions
Does a Discovery Ride guarantee that a bike qualifies for the rebate?
No. A Discovery Ride helps you evaluate a bike. Rebate eligibility still depends on current program rules, voucher instructions, the qualifying bike list, and eligible retailer requirements.
Can the Discovery Ride fee apply toward a purchase?
The full Discovery Ride page explains the current purchase credit policy. In general, if a rider purchases a new e-bike within the stated time period, a portion of the Discovery Ride fee may apply toward the purchase according to the terms listed there.
Do I have to buy after a Discovery Ride?
No. The goal is to help you make a better decision. Sometimes the right answer is that the bike is not the right fit.
Can I use the voucher to pay for the Discovery Ride itself?
The voucher is for eligible purchases under the official program rules. Do not assume it can be used to pay the Discovery Ride fee unless official voucher guidance says so.
Our Promise
The purpose of this Resource Center is to help New Orleanians make the best use of a finite resource: this generous, truly free instant e-bike rebate that each lottery winner can use only once.
If the time we've invested in creating this guide helps even a few people choose an e-bike that better meets their transportation needs, and continues serving them for years to come, then every hour spent building this resource will have been worthwhile long after the rebate program has become history.
We believe the City's investment succeeds when an e-bike becomes part of everyday life, replacing car trips, improving health, reducing transportation costs, and bringing more joy to getting around New Orleans.
That's why we've invested so much time building this Resource Center, and why we'll continue updating it as the program evolves.