Important Notice
This FAQ explains how RideTHISbike can help residents understand the rebate, compare e-bikes, consider financing, schedule Discovery Rides, and plan for service after the sale. It is not the official City application portal.
Independence statement: This page is published by RideTHISbike as an independent educational resource. 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
What Has Changed?
- July 1, 2026: Created the RideTHISbike Questions FAQ to explain how RideTHISbike can help residents make better use of the rebate without presenting RideTHISbike as the official program administrator.
Quick Answer
RideTHISbike can help residents understand the rebate process, compare e-bike options, plan for the remaining balance, schedule a Discovery Ride, think through storage and security, and keep the bike serviceable after purchase.
RideTHISbike cannot approve applications, guarantee selection, issue vouchers, transfer vouchers, or override official program rules.
Questions on This Page
- Can RideTHISbike help me understand the rebate program?
- Can RideTHISbike decide whether I receive a rebate?
- Can RideTHISbike help me choose the right e-bike?
- Can I compare different e-bike styles before buying?
- Can RideTHISbike help me think through storage and theft prevention?
- Can RideTHISbike help me understand financing options?
- Will RideTHISbike service the e-bikes it sells?
- Can a friend or family member come with me?
- Can RideTHISbike speak with neighborhood groups, employers, churches, or local organizations?
- What if my question is not answered in the Resource Center?
Can RideTHISbike help me understand the rebate program?
Yes. RideTHISbike can help residents understand the public rebate information, explain how the Resource Center pages fit together, and point people toward official City or program administrator guidance when the answer must come from the program itself.
We can help you understand the difference between being eligible to apply, being selected, receiving a voucher, choosing a qualifying e-bike, and using the voucher correctly.
Can RideTHISbike decide whether I receive a rebate?
No. RideTHISbike does not approve applications, conduct the lottery, issue vouchers, or decide who receives a rebate. Those decisions belong to the City of New Orleans and its program administrator.
RideTHISbike's role is educational. We help residents understand the program, avoid preventable mistakes, and make better e-bike decisions if they are selected.
What is a Discovery Ride?
A Discovery Ride is an extended, guided e-bike test ride designed to help a serious buyer make a better decision. It is expected to last about one hour and is escorted by a trained RideTHISbike technician who can answer questions about fit, handling, comfort, controls, storage, cargo needs, accessories, maintenance, and real-life use.
For voucher winners, a Discovery Ride is especially valuable because the voucher-use window may be comparatively brief and each lottery winner gets only one chance to use the voucher. The goal is to avoid rushing into the first qualifying bike and instead identify the qualifying bike that best fits the rider's life.
Can RideTHISbike help me choose the right e-bike?
Yes. RideTHISbike can help you compare e-bike styles, fit, comfort, weight, storage needs, riding position, cargo needs, service support, and realistic out-of-pocket costs.
The goal is not simply to choose a qualifying e-bike. The goal is to choose the qualifying e-bike you are most likely to use for years. That matters because using a voucher on the wrong bike can waste the benefit. Lottery winners should not expect a second voucher if they choose poorly.
For more on bike requirements, read FAQ 4: Choosing a Qualifying E-Bike.
Can I compare different e-bike styles before buying?
Yes. Comparing styles is one of the smartest things a rebate winner can do. A folding e-bike, commuter e-bike, cargo e-bike, step-through e-bike, and heavier utility e-bike can feel very different in real use.
The best choice depends on your body, routes, storage, comfort level, cargo needs, and daily transportation habits. A bike that looks good online may not feel right once you ride it.
Can RideTHISbike help me think through storage and theft prevention?
Yes. Storage and security matter in New Orleans. RideTHISbike can help you think through where the bike will be kept, what type of lock makes sense, whether the frame can be locked to a fixed object, whether accessories should be removed, and whether the bike is realistic for your home, apartment, workplace, or daily routine.
A rebate lowers the purchase price, but it does not make a stolen e-bike less painful to replace.
Can RideTHISbike help me understand financing options?
RideTHISbike can explain that many voucher winners may still have a remaining balance after the rebate. One community-oriented option is EPIC Federal Credit Union, a local credit union with a nearby office and personal loan options for qualified members.
To apply for a personal loan through EPIC, a resident generally needs to become a member by opening a small savings or checking account. EPIC also offers programs intended to help people repair their credit. RideTHISbike does not earn anything by referring people to EPIC; we mention them because their mission and local focus may help residents who need a responsible way to bridge the remaining balance.
For more on payment questions, read FAQ 5: Buying and Paying for Your E-Bike.
Will RideTHISbike service the e-bikes it sells?
Yes. Service after the sale is a major reason to work with an established local e-bike retailer. E-bikes need normal bicycle service, including tires, brakes, adjustments, accessories, and occasional warranty help, and they also include electrical systems that should be supported responsibly.
Keeping the bike operating for years is part of the point of the rebate. A bike that cannot be serviced locally is less likely to deliver long-term transportation value.
Can a friend or family member come with me?
Yes. A trusted friend or family member can be helpful, especially if they are helping you compare options, think through the remaining balance, or decide whether the bike fits your daily life.
The final choice should still fit the rider who will use the e-bike.
Can RideTHISbike speak with neighborhood groups, employers, churches, or local organizations?
RideTHISbike may be able to help local groups understand the basics of the rebate, e-bike safety, choosing the right bike, and avoiding rushed decisions. The Resource Center was created partly so residents, families, employers, neighborhood groups, churches, and local organizations have a clear place to start.
For group or community questions, contact RideTHISbike directly.
What if my question is not answered in the Resource Center?
Ask us. If the answer belongs to official program guidance, we will point you toward the official source or identify the question as pending. If it is a question many New Orleanians are likely to have, we may add it to this Resource Center so other residents benefit too.
Official Resources
Our Commitment to Accuracy
RideTHISbike will update this FAQ as official information changes. If you spot something that appears outdated or inconsistent with official City or program administrator guidance, please contact us so we can review and correct it. Trust matters more than speed.
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.