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Comment by amin | Hacker News Reader

A step in the right direction. But why’s the subsidy only for electronic bikes and not also regular bicycles?

There is a subsidy for regular bicycles, read the link posted by gniv.

More annoyingly, it’s only for trade-in.

I get that it’s supposed to get cars off the road, but the assistance without trade-in is way lower and IIRC just for very low incomes (under 15000 euros or so) for the national subsidy.

That means if you need bulk transport you get little to no help on a cargo ebike (which tend to be on the expensive side especially as they’re not ultra common yet), unless you first buy a junker to trade in.

This will probably increase the prices of second-hand cars, then.

Further reducing the usage of cars. Seems like a win win.

probably because regular bicycles are cheap already

This is a fair point, but why not offer a subsidy for non-electric cargo bikes (or long tails)?

"Trade in your 2005 Accord, 188k miles, for an S-Works Aethos Dura-Ace Di2 with Roval Rapide C38's."

The sort of regular bike you would want to depend on to reliably get you to work is not going to be very cheap.

I’ve had a $200 used bike taking me to work every day for almost 10 years now.

$150 in maintenance every year (I like to give it in to the bike shop once a year for maintenance, otherwise basic upkeep with a monthly 30 min tuneup has been just fine) and about $500 in total repairs and replacements over the years means I’m spending about $220/year adjusted over its lifespan. I’d challenge someone to find a transport option where you’d spend that little in 2 months.

That's not my impression, most people I know here in central Copenhagen ride old beaters that cost anywhere between 50-150 EURs, it's a balance between comfort and price: You don't want your bike stolen.

You don't want the expensive stuff if reliability is of prime importance. You want a 3 speed hub gearbox and a cro moly steel frame. Or in areas where servicing a real bicycle is hard to find, a mid range 1x8 derailluer system with bog standard rim brakes. It's not big box cheap, but the former have been being made for a century and are almost identical. New is about €200-500

In places with a decent bicycling culture you can get one second hand for a hundred euros or so.

France has access to shops called Decathlon, who provide extremely good value for money pedal bikes and some pretty solid aftersales service for them as well.

I have been using a bike for commute for at least 15 years. My current bike cost 500 EUR. (that includes 25% VAT)

For $300 I can buy a very solid single speed bike that will last ages.

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