The Clean Cars for All program is designed to offer Bay Area residents various sustainable transportation choices. Beyond just replacing older vehicles with cleaner models, the program provides an innovative option: exchanging your old car for grant funding dedicated to public transit and electric bicycles (e-bikes). This approach allows participants to tailor their mobility solutions to their individual needs, potentially combining options like public transit and e-bikes. A key component of this program involves utilizing pre-paid cards, sometimes referred to in the context of transit as “Clipper credit,” to access these mobility benefits.
Public Transit and Your Clipper Card
One of the primary mobility options available through Clean Cars for All is public transportation. Participants can allocate their grant funds to a pre-paid card that can be used to load value onto a Clipper Card. The Clipper Card is a reloadable transit card accepted across over 20 different transit systems in the Bay Area. This provides seamless access to buses, trains, and ferries throughout the region. For households with multiple members, the grant can even be used to fund additional Clipper Cards, ensuring the whole family can benefit from enhanced mobility. This system simplifies access to public transit, making it a convenient and cost-effective option for daily commutes and longer journeys alike.
Exploring E-bikes and Accessories
Photo Credit: PeopleForBikes
In addition to public transit, the Clean Cars for All program allows grant recipients to invest in electric bicycles and related accessories. The pre-paid card provided can be used to purchase an e-bike, making cycling a more accessible and practical mode of transportation for a wider range of people. E-bikes are particularly beneficial for navigating hilly terrain, carrying cargo, and extending travel distances with less physical exertion.
To ensure appropriate use of funds, all e-bike and accessory purchases require pre-approval from program staff. The grant can also cover essential accessories such as helmets, lights, and cargo carriers, further enhancing the safety and utility of e-bikes. Like public transit options, households with more than one person can utilize the grant to acquire multiple e-bikes. It’s important to note that qualifying e-bikes must meet specific criteria, including being equipped with functional pedals, an electric motor of 750 watts or less, and clearly labeled as Class 1, Class 2, or Class 3. The flexibility of the program allows participants to divide their funds between e-bike purchases and public transit, creating a customized mobility plan that best fits their lifestyle.
Resources and Further Information
For those interested in learning more about the Clean Cars for All program and the mobility options it offers, including details on utilizing funds for public transit and e-bikes, several resources are available.
Contact Us
For direct inquiries and further assistance, you can reach out to GRID Alternatives, the organization administering the Clean Cars for All program:
GRID Alternatives
855.256.3656
[email protected]
By offering these diverse mobility options, the Clean Cars for All program empowers residents to make environmentally conscious transportation choices while improving their access to convenient and affordable mobility solutions within the Bay Area.
