(1) The general assembly hereby finds and declares that:
- (a) Transportation is the largest single source of greenhouse gas pollution in the state and is a major contributing source of other forms of pollution, including ozone precursors, hazardous air pollutants, nitrogen oxides, and particulate pollution;
- (b) In 2017, nearly sixty percent of household motor vehicle trips were six miles or less and seventy-five percent were ten miles or less;
- (c) For many persons, shorter trips may be completed by bicycle, especially if a person uses an electric bicycle;
- (d) Electric bicycles, when compared to nonelectric bicycles, allow a rider to travel greater distances, through more challenging terrain, and carry more cargo;
- (e) A wide variety of electric bicycles are available and, along with new models becoming available, are increasingly affordable;
- (f) Electric bicycles produce zero emissions and are an important component in a strategy for reducing emissions in the transportation sector; and
- (g) It is in the interest of the state to increase the number of electric bicycles used for transportation and to increase the accessibility of electric bicycles to individuals in low- and moderate-income households.
Source: L. 2022: Entire part added, (SB 22-193), ch. 300, p. 2147, § 2, effective June 2.