Electric Bike Lending Program

Three people holding e-bikes and walking

About

The Electric Bike Lending Program rents low-cost electric bikes to Oaklanders aged 18 and older.

Each rental lasts 4 weeks.
Standard rate is $120. Income qualified residents pay $20.
Price includes one e-bike, rider gear, and minor repairs.

Sign Up Now!

Sign up to rent an e-bike in 2 easy steps

Ensure you have completed the Clean Mobility Option Survey.
Fill out the City's renter intake form and liability waiver.

You will receive an email to schedule a bike pickup - Credit or Debit Card required for the $250 refundable deposit.

Income-Verified Eligibility

If you are enrolled in an income-verified program, you may pay the $20 rate. Income-verified programs are:

Medi-Cal (under age 65 only)
CalFresh
Clipper START
PG&E CARE
FERA utility discount

Detailed Program Terms and Conditions

Eligible renters must:

Be an Oakland resident aged 18+.
Have a credit or debit card, and a government issued photo ID.
Pay the standard or discounted program rental charge.
Pay the damage deposit of $250, via a funds authorization hold (freeze) on the account. Participants are responsible for the safety of the bike during the entire rental period. Damage other than normal wear and tear will be charged to the deposit.
Have access to secure indoor storage and a place to charge the e-bike.
Know how to ride a bicycle safely in urban areas.

Bikes are equipped with location tracking, used only if a bike is reported missing or stolen. A late fee of $10/day will be assessed for late returns.

Bikes in need of repair during the rental period can be brought to one of 2 convenient repair locations:

Fruitvale BART Bike Station: 3301 E 12th Street Ste 141 at Fruitvale BART Plaza. View Map
Uptown BART Bike Station: 1775 Broadway, at 19th St in Uptown Oakland. View Map

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of e-bikes are available?

Currently, our program offers the Gazelle Medeo T9 City e-bike in four different sizes to accommodate riders of different heights. We do not currently offer cargo e-bikes, e-tricycles, or adaptive e-bikes. Please stay posted for updates!

Are e-bikes allowed on BART, AC Transit, Caltrain, or other forms of public transit?

Yes! Our e-bikes are allowed on public transit wherever regular bikes are allowed. Please visit MTC’s webpage to learn more about the rules for taking bikes on different public transit agencies in the Bay Area.

Are e-bikes the same as motorcycles?

No. Our program’s e-bikes are Class 1 electric bicycles. They operate through pedal assistance, do not have a throttle, and are only motorized up to 20mph. When riding our e-bikes, please follow the same rules of the road that other bicycles would follow.

Are the Oakland E-bike Lending Program’s e-bikes insured? Do I need to get insurance?

It is not required for you to get your own insurance to rent an e-bike. Program rentals generally include liability coverage for you while you're riding during your rental. It doesn't cover damage to the bike or your own injuries. You are responsible for the e-bike while it’s in your care and must follow the terms of the rental agreement for secure storage, proper locking, and safe riding. In the event of damages or loss of the e-bike, please note that you may be charged the cost of the security deposit up to the full replacement cost of the e-bike.

Help! My e-bike needs repairs or maintenance. Where can I go?

Free repairs and maintenance during your rental period are available at the Fruitvale Bike Station (3301 E. 12th St. Suite 141, Oakland, CA 94601) and the Uptown Bike Station (1775 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612). Please do not bring your e-bike to another shop or attempt to perform repairs on your own.

What do I do if my e-bike is lost or stolen?

If your e-bike is lost or stolen, please immediately contact the Fruitvale Bike Station at (510) 536-2200 and send an email to the program manager, Mars Wu, at mwu@oaklandca.gov. We also encourage you to file a police report in the event of a theft. Always lock your bike in a secure location when not in use.

I just finished my rental period. Can I rent the same e-bike again?

There is no limit to how many times you can participate in our rental program; simply fill out a new intake form above to start a new rental. However, you must return your e-bike at the end of your rental period before you can start a new rental. This helps ensure our fleet is consistently serviced and safe to ride. If participant demand exceeds our e-bike supply, there may be a wait before you can rent again as our program operates on a first-come, first-serve basis.

I want to buy my own e-bike! Can I purchase the e-bike I rented?

At this time, our e-bikes are only available for rentals, not purchases. However, Ava Community Energy, Oakland’s public electricity provider, is offering instant rebates ranging from $400 to $1,500 to make purchasing your own e-bike more affordable. Learn more and apply at avaenergy.org/bike-electric.

History and Funding

This five-year project is funded by a $1.5M grant from the Clean Mobility Options (CMO) Voucher Program. The project is operated by Bikehub out of the Fruitvale BART Bike Station at 3301 E 12th Street Suite 141 (Fruitvale BART Plaza).

Oakland's Electric Bike Lending Program is part of California Climate Investments, which uses billions of Cap-and-Invest dollars to fund projects that reduce harmful emissions, protect public health, strengthen local economies, and support natural environments. With a strong focus on communities most impacted by pollution and limited access to resources, California Climate Investments helps build a more equitable and sustainable future. This project is also funded by the California Energy Commission’s Clean Transportation Program, which is investing more than $1 billion to accelerate the deployment of zero-emission transportation infrastructure and support in-state manufacturing and workforce training and development.

In Fall 2022, community engagement to inform eventual program design was completed. For an in-depth report on community engagement strategy and findings, see our Community Engagement Report(PDF, 3MB).