PRESS RELEASE

Long Beach, CA – The City of Long Beach today released an Invitation to Bid (ITB) to provide bikes and equipment for the City’s upcoming Electric Bike (E-Bike) Lending Library program. By enabling Long Beach residents to borrow e-bikes for an extended period of time, the E-Bike Lending Library program will expand familiarity with e-bike technology, increase e-bike ridership within the city and encourage an active, zero-emission mode of travel.

Through the ITB, the City seeks a vendor partner to support the E-Bike Lending Library program by providing 30 to 40 e-bikes, including standard, cargo and tricycle models, as well as equipment such as helmets and bike locks. Residents will be able to check out e-bikes from the Lending Library for up to three months at no cost. The E-Bike Lending Library will prioritize equitable access, and the vendor will be a partner in achieving the City’s equity goals. The program is anticipated to launch before the end of 2023. More information about the program requirements can be found in the posted ITB.

Compared to traditional bicycles, e-bikes allow for longer trips and makes riding more accessible to people with a wide range of physical abilities. Cargo models can provide added seating for children or capacity for shopping, allowing them to replace a car, while trike models increase stability for riders and cargo capacity. Successful lending library programs in California and elsewhere have encouraged e-bike adoption and provided an alternative to car ownership as cities look to meet climate change mitigation goals.

The E-Bike Lending Library is made possible with funding from the Long Beach Recovery Act, a plan to fund economic and public health initiatives for Long Beach residents, workers, and businesses critically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional information about the Long Beach Recovery Act is available at longbeach.gov/recovery.

Media inquiries may be directed to Joy Contreras, Community Relations Officer, Department of Public Works, at 562.570.6739 or Joy.Contreras@longbeach.gov.