Promotion of cargo bikes

Funding is available for the purchase and leasing of new single- and dual-wheel cargo bikes—which do not require registration or insurance—with or without electric pedal assistance (cargo pedelecs) capable of speeds up to 25 km/h, as well as bicycle trailers with or without electric assistance. The payload (gross vehicle weight minus the vehicle’s curb weight) for cargo bikes and cargo e-bikes must be at least 120 kg; for bicycle trailers, the load capacity must be at least 20 kg.

The cargo bicycle or cargo e-bike must either

• have an extended wheelbase that includes transport capabilities, or
• be equipped with permanently installed front and rear luggage racks as well as corresponding transport options such as boxes, baskets, or bags.

Eligible accessories

• For cargo bikes/cargo e-bikes in their factory-standard configuration, the following are eligible:
  • a cargo box for goods or passengers (with a bench seat)
  • a rain cover to protect the cargo area from rain and the elements, and
  • an external, non-integrated lock.
• For bicycle trailers in factory condition, these include
  • a child seat for very young children,
  • a rain cover,
  • a trailer hitch/drawbar for connection exclusively to the bicycle, and
  • an external, non-integrated lock.

Explicitly stated shipping costs are not covered by the subsidy and are excluded from it.

In addition, as an “inclusive municipality,” the City of Erlangen provides funding for therapeutic bicycles for people with intellectual or physical disabilities that promote environmentally friendly mobility for these individuals. For example, funding may be provided for therapeutic bicycles used to transport people with intellectual or physical disabilities or for wheelchair-accessible bicycles.

In this context, the therapeutic bicycle must either

• be used to transport the applicant, or
• enable the applicant’s active mobility.

Per individual/household, association, initiative, user group, company, and self-employed person, one cargo bike, cargo e-bike, bicycle trailer, motorized cargo trailer, or therapeutic bicycleis eligible for fundingwithin a three-year period.

Funding is provided in accordance with the funding guidelines adopted by the City Council. These guidelines are aimed not only at private individuals in Erlangen but also at associations and initiatives, business owners, and self-employed individuals based in and active within Erlangen, as well as people with intellectual or physical disabilities.

A new feature this year is that people with an ErlangenPass, families with more than three children, and those who use green electricity receive a higher level of funding.

You can find the respective funding amounts in the table on the next tab.

The available budget funds are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, based on the exact date applications are received.

Answers to frequently asked questions:

We’re a shared apartment and would like to buy a cargo bike. Can we apply for a grant from the City of Erlangen?

- Yes, as long as at least 3 people are registered as joint users.

Do all children in a household have to be registered to receive the family bonus?

- Yes, all three or more children must be registered in the same household. Children split across multiple households due to separated parents do not qualify for the family bonus.

¹⁾ At least 3 children under 12 in the household

²⁾ Green electricity generated 100% from renewable energy sources. See the ranking of green electricity providers by Utopia.de: https://utopia.de/bestenlisten/die-besten-oekostrom-anbieter/

³⁾ Individuals with a valid ErlangenPass are eligible to apply.

⁴⁾ This includes bicycle trailers capable of transporting heavy loads of 150 kg or more.

⁵⁾ This includes motorized electric bicycle trailers with a payload capacity of 150 kg or more.

⁶⁾ Eligible applicants are individuals with intellectual or physical disabilities who have received a denial notice from the funding agency regarding the purchase of a therapeutic bicycle, wheelchair-accessible bicycle, or other specialized bicycle designed for transporting individuals with intellectual or physical disabilities.

The City of Erlangen has once again launched a grant program for 2024. Due to the large number of applications received and the current budget freeze, the available funds have been exhausted.
For this reason, no new applications for cargo bike subsidies will be accepted. Should the situation change, you will be notified here.

Applications can be submitted either directly via the online form or in writing using the printed form to the

City of Erlangen
Department of Planning and Construction

Bicycle Coordinator Werner-von-Siemens-Straße 61
91051 Erlangen

. In addition to the application form and the documents required therein, the following proof of eligibility must be provided:

• For private individuals: Proof of residence in Erlangen via a copy of an ID card or passport
• ErlangenPass: Holders of the ErlangenPass must demonstrate their eligibility for funding by providing a copy of the ErlangenPass
• For associations and initiatives: the association’s bylaws, articles of incorporation, or agreements specifying its registered office, purpose, and scope of activity
• For shared-use groups of at least three people: Confirmation of the shared-use group on the application form
• For business owners/self-employed individuals: A current extract from the commercial register or business license, a de minimis declaration, and an SME declaration
• For people with intellectual or physical disabilities: Proof of disability via a copy of the disability ID card or a rejection notice from the funding agency

To receive a bonus subsidy, the following documentation must be provided:

• Green Bonus for Green Electricity: The applicant must provide a copy of the supply contract (minimum term of 3 years) to prove the purchase of green electricity generated from 100% renewable energy sources. For guidance, we recommend the ranking of green electricity providers by Utopia.de: https://utopia.de/bestenlisten/die-besten-oekostrom-anbieter/.
• Family Bonus: Proof of at least three children under the age of 12 in the household, provided by an extended registration certificate listing the children in the household, or a copy of the child’s ID card or passport.

Go to the online form

For the time being, no subsidies for cargo bikes are planned for 2025. Should the situation change, you will be notified here.

No, it must remain with the applicant for at least 3 years.

Only one cargo bike, cargo e-bike, bicycle trailer, cargo bicycle trailer, or therapy bike per household is eligible for funding.

No, the purchase agreement may not be signed until the application has been approved. This also applies to down payments.