Important Notice
This guide is based on currently available official information about the City of New Orleans E-Bike Incentive Program, plus statements provided to RideTHISbike by APTIM, the program administrator selected by the City. Program rules, documentation requirements, application timing, lottery procedures, notification methods, and voucher instructions may change as the City and its program administrator publish additional guidance.
Independence statement: This page is published by RideTHISbike as an independent educational resource. It 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
What Has Changed?
- July 1, 2026: Created the Lottery and Application Windows guide using current City guidance on random selection and statements provided to RideTHISbike by APTIM that the program is designed for two application windows per year initially. The page focuses on resident understanding and avoids retailer operations details.
Quick Answer: Does Applying Guarantee a Rebate?
No. Eligibility does not guarantee receiving a rebate. Current City guidance says rebates will be distributed through a random selection process. That means an eligible resident may apply during an official application window, but only selected applicants receive vouchers.
According to statements provided to us by APTIM, there will be 2 windows per year initially. That may change in future years as the program progresses but is the way the program is designed at this time.
Application Process at a Glance
- Application window opens
- Residents submit applications
- Application window closes
- Applications are processed according to program rules
- Random selection is conducted
- If selected: follow official voucher instructions and use the voucher according to program rules.
If not selected: watch for future application windows and official updates. - Voucher is redeemed toward a qualifying new e-bike at an eligible retailer
What Is Confirmed So Far?
| Random selection | Confirmed. Current City guidance says rebates will be distributed through a random selection process. |
|---|---|
| Application windows | Confirmed by statements provided to RideTHISbike by APTIM. The program is designed for two application windows per year initially. |
| Future changes | APTIM has indicated that two windows per year may change in future years as the program progresses. |
| Voucher use | Current City guidance says selected applicants use a voucher toward a new qualifying e-bike. Prior purchases do not qualify. |
| Exact opening dates | Not yet listed here. Residents should rely on official City or program administrator announcements for exact application dates and deadlines. |
| Notification method | Not yet listed here. This page should be updated when official notification procedures are published. |
What Is an Application Window?
An application window is a defined period when eligible residents can submit applications for the rebate program. Applications are not expected to be accepted continuously every day of the year. Instead, residents should watch for official opening and closing dates.
Missing an application window matters because a late application may have to wait until a future window, depending on the official rules for that round.
Why Use Application Windows?
Application windows are a common way to administer high-demand rebate and voucher programs. They allow the administrator to collect applications during a defined period, process applicant information, conduct any required selection process, and distribute vouchers in an organized way.
APTIM publicly describes its e-bike program administration model as including application management, randomized participant selection, and voucher distribution. That helps explain why application windows are commonly used for high-demand rebate programs without turning this page into a retailer operations guide.
For the New Orleans program, the most important practical point is simple: residents should not assume they can apply whenever they want. Watch for the official application window dates.
Step-by-Step Timeline
- Step 1: Application window announced. The City or program administrator announces when residents may apply. This page should be updated when official dates are published.
- Step 2: Application window opens. Eligible residents submit applications through the official process. RideTHISbike is not the official application portal.
- Step 3: Application window closes. Once the window closes, late applications may not be included in that round unless official program rules say otherwise.
- Step 4: Applications are processed. The administrator reviews applications according to the official program rules. Detailed verification procedures should come from official guidance.
- Step 5: Random selection occurs. Current City guidance says rebates are distributed through a random selection process.
- Step 6: Selected applicants receive instructions. The City or program administrator controls how selected applicants are notified and what they must do next.
- Step 7: Voucher is used under program rules. Selected applicants use the voucher toward a qualifying new e-bike through an eligible retailer.
- Step 8: Residents who are not selected watch for future windows. According to statements provided to RideTHISbike by APTIM, there will be two application windows per year initially.
How Does the Lottery Work?
Current City guidance says rebates will be distributed through a random selection process. The City and program administrator control the official lottery rules, applicant pools, verification steps, notification procedures, and voucher instructions.
This page should be updated when the City or APTIM publishes more detailed public procedures for the New Orleans program.
What Happens If You Are Selected?
If you are selected, you should carefully follow the official instructions from the City or program administrator. You may need to complete verification steps, confirm voucher details, and redeem the voucher according to the program rules.
Before buying, confirm that the e-bike qualifies, the retailer is eligible, the voucher can be applied to the purchase, and you understand any remaining balance, taxes, fees, accessories, and service needs.
For details that belong after selection, read Voucher Redemption and Qualifying E-Bikes.
What Happens If You Are Not Selected?
If you are not selected, that does not necessarily mean you did anything wrong. A lottery-based program can have more eligible applicants than available vouchers in a given round.
Watch for future application windows and official updates. According to statements provided to RideTHISbike by APTIM, there will be two application windows per year initially, although that may change in future years as the program progresses.
Common Misunderstandings
| I am eligible, so I get a rebate. | Not necessarily. Eligibility allows you to apply, but current City guidance says vouchers are distributed through random selection. |
|---|---|
| I can apply anytime. | No. Residents should expect to apply during official application windows. |
| There is only one chance to apply. | According to statements provided to RideTHISbike by APTIM, there will be two application windows per year initially. |
| Buying now protects my place. | No. Current City guidance says prior purchases do not qualify. |
| Applying more than once improves my odds. | Official New Orleans rules should control duplicate applications. Do not submit duplicate applications unless official instructions allow it. |
| RideTHISbike decides who gets selected. | No. RideTHISbike does not decide who receives a rebate and is not the official application portal. |
Questions Not Yet Fully Answered in Public Guidance
Some details should not be guessed. This page should be updated when the City or APTIM publishes official answers.
- Exact dates for the first application window.
- Exact deadlines for each window.
- Whether incomplete applications can be corrected after submission.
- How selected applicants will be notified.
- Whether there will be a waitlist.
- Whether unredeemed vouchers return to a future selection pool.
- Whether there is an appeals process.
- How duplicate applications will be handled.
- Whether someone else may help an applicant submit an application.
What To Do While Waiting for an Application Window
- Review Eligibility so you understand basic residency, age, and documentation expectations.
- Gather proof of New Orleans residency before the window opens.
- Gather income-qualification documentation if you may qualify for the larger rebate.
- Do not buy an e-bike before receiving a voucher.
- Learn what makes an e-bike eligible by reading Qualifying E-Bikes.
- Follow Updates for official application window announcements.
Common Questions
Does submitting an application guarantee a rebate?
No. Current City guidance says rebates will be distributed through a random selection process.
How many application windows will there be?
According to statements provided to us by APTIM, there will be 2 windows per year initially. That may change in future years as the program progresses but is the way the program is designed at this time.
Can I apply at any time?
No. Residents should expect to apply during official application windows. Exact dates should be confirmed through official City or program administrator updates.
What happens if I miss an application window?
You may need to wait for a future application window unless official program rules provide another option.
If I am not selected, can I apply again?
APTIM has told RideTHISbike that the program is designed for two application windows per year initially. Official rules should control whether and how a resident may apply again after not being selected.
Can I improve my chances of being selected?
Do not assume there is a strategy for improving lottery odds unless official program guidance says so. The safest advice is to apply during the official window, submit accurate information, and follow all instructions.
How will I know if I was selected?
The City or program administrator controls the official notification process. This page should be updated when notification details are published.
Can someone else submit an application for me?
Current public guidance reviewed for this page does not fully answer this question. Wait for official application instructions before assuming how assisted applications will be handled.
What happens if I receive a voucher but decide not to use it?
Current public guidance reviewed for this page does not fully answer this question. Voucher expiration, cancellation, and unused-voucher procedures should come from official program rules.
Official Resources
Our Commitment to Accuracy
RideTHISbike will update this Lottery and Application Windows guide 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.