Council Member Kristina Walker -- Community Updates
City of Tacoma Washington sent this bulletin at 04/14/2025 10:40 AM PDT
Hello Tacoma!
I hope you are all enjoying a great start to the spring season! I have a few fun and important updates to share with you about transportation in our city, including our new e-bike rebate programs, the upcoming Pierce County Bike Swap, and more! For information on Proposition 1, which will appear on the April 22 Special Election ballot, please check out: Tacoma Streets Initiative II - City of Tacoma.
E-Bike Rebate Program
I am thrilled to share that the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and the City of Tacoma are both launching e-bike rebate programs!
WSDOT’s statewide instant e-bike rebate program will distribute 10,000 e-bike rebates, and the City of Tacoma received a grant from the Department of Ecology to offer approximately 450 additional rebates to Tacoma residents living in communities that are highly impacted by air quality. The City has worked closely with WSDOT to make the application process as streamlined as possible, so community members only have to apply once and they’ll be automatically entered into one or both programs, based on your eligibility.
Applications are open from April 9-April 23!
You can find all the details for this exciting new program at www.cityoftacoma.org/ebikes. Some frequently asked questions are below!
Will I need to pay for the bike up-front and get reimbursed? No - these are instant rebates. If you receive one - the amount of your rebate ($300 or $1,200) will be taken off the total purchase price when you buy a new e-bike that meets program requirements at an approved bike shop.
I’m new to riding bikes - should I apply? If you’re interested in riding an e-bike, absolutely! The City of Tacoma will be offering free events and classes to help support new riders.
Am I guaranteed an e-bike if I apply? No - the number of rebates are limited and not everyone who applies will get one.
Can multiple people in my household apply? Yes - a maximum of one rebate per household will be awarded, but multiple people in your household can apply.
The City of Tacoma’s E-bike Rebate Pilot Program is funded by the Department of Ecology with funding from Washington’s Climate Commitment Act.
Pierce County Bike Swap
The 14th Annual Pierce County Bike Swap is coming up! This is a free, family-friendly community event where anyone can sell or buy used bicycles and bicycle parts, test ride their future bike, practice bike riding skills, discuss best cycling routes, and much more.
The event will have activities for all ages! We encourage you to bring a helmet if you plan on test-riding bikes or riding the Bike Skills course.
🏷️Bike Sale Rack: Buy a bike or sell a bike at the Bike Sale Rack! Come find your new-to-you ride!
🦺Bike Safety Check: Make sure your bike is safe to test ride by taking it through a free safety check by a professional bicycle mechanic.
⛑️Low-Cost Helmets: Provided by Downtown on the Go, bicyclists can purchase affordable helmets and get a proper helmet fitting.
🗺️Bike Map Masters: Discuss best biking routes with seasoned local riders at the Bike Map Masters station.
🚦Bike Skills Practice Area: Folks of all ages and abilities can practice safe riding skills such as balancing, scanning, stopping, turning, and more.
😋Food Trucks: Enjoy delicious sweet and savory food from food trucks!
🛍️Vendors: Local bike shops and bike-related organizations are invited to show off their products and share the latest information with you on bicycling in Pierce County.
South Sound Sustainability Expo
Don't miss out on the 17th Annual South Sound Sustainability Expo! This free, family-friendly event brings the South Sound community together to celebrate and promote environmental sustainability and resiliency. Explore a vibrant mix of vendors, activities, and displays showcasing regional organizations working to improve the environmental sustainability and/or resiliency of our region.
Date: Saturday, April 26
Time: 10 AM – 3 PM
Location: University of Washington Tacoma Campus Prairie Line Trail (1900 Commerce St.) & Tollefson Plaza (1548 Commerce St.)
Cost: Free admission!
This year’s Expo features a fun and interactive lineup of activities for all ages, including:
🎨 Art installation by City of Tacoma Artist in Residence, Teruko Nemura
🧒 Family-friendly crafts and activities
🌳 Pop-up Forest experience from the City's Urban Forestry team
You can find more City updates and resources on our website at cityoftacoma.org.
I also invite you to tune in to the City Council’s Study Session or City Council meetings every week on Tuesdays via TV Tacoma, Facebook Live, or Zoom. Access information is available at cityoftacoma.org/councilmeetings.
I hope you will reach out to me with any questions. I can be reached at: kwalker@cityoftacoma.org.
