The Advoc8te finally bought a bike thanks to DC's $200 rebate program!

Yesterday I bought a bike - my very first bike - and it's all thanks to this new program by GoDCGo! I thought about getting a bike for years, yet I never got around to it. When I lived in Congress Heights, the lack of bike lanes in Ward 8 discouraged me from investing in a bike to commute to my Ward 8 job. Even after first-rate bike lessons courtesy of WABA, I was not comfortable riding a bike in the street as a novice rider without bike lanes.

But now that I live in a neighborhood with many bike lanes, using a bike to get around seems less intimidating. So when GoDCGo is willing to give DC residents up to $200 toward a new bike, you have to jump on it (literally)! Rebates are available as funding lasts and are issued as a gift card (sent via email or mailed). It takes about six weeks for the rebate to be processed after the online application is approved.

Screenshot of the eligibility requirements for the rebate program

After purchasing my bike (don't hate me, but I got it on Amazon), I went to the GoDCGo website, and it was straightforward to fill out the form. I just needed to answer a few questions, attaching proof of DC residency (in my case, a cable bill) and my bike receipt. The whole thing took less than five minutes. Between the 30% off Amazon Flash sale and the rebate (assuming I’m approved), my new bike will only cost me $40 out of pocket!

I have wanted a bike for years and kept putting it off; this program came right on time! I hadn't mentioned it before on CHotR, but a few weeks ago, I went into the hospital for a week for surgery (an Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion, to be exact). I’m not yet able to drive and it will be a few months before I'm cleared for physical activity, but as soon as I'm able, I'm going to hop on my new bike (that is conveniently foldable) and see the District in a new way.

I encourage other DC residents to apply. If I had any suggestions for this fantastic program, it would probably be to provide bike vouchers for eligible low-income DC residents and seniors who may not be able to afford the upfront cost of purchasing a bike. Those residents could then take their voucher to a participating DC bike shop and use it toward their new bike's purchase (or pickup). Anyway, just a thought.

See you in the bike lanes!