Committee backs $605,000 DOE grant to expand San Francisco e‑bike pilot for delivery workers

The Budget and Finance Committee on Nov. 8 voted to forward to the full Board a resolution authorizing the San Francisco Department of the Environment to accept and expend an approximately $605,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to expand an electric bicycle pilot aimed at app‑based delivery workers.

Hannah Troon, clean transportation program manager at the Department of the Environment, said the DOE award "will expand the number of participants in the current program and develop online decision making tools, including a cost benefit calculator and an ebike selection tool." She told the committee the new funding builds on a 2022 California Energy Commission grant of $2.4 million that already supports related projects identified in the city's electric vehicle‑ready community blueprint.

Nick Menard of the Budget and Legislative Analyst office summarized the fiscal review, saying the grant "has a value of approximately $605,000 and requires a 1 to 1 match by the city," and that the full program cost listed in the report is $1.4 million. Menard said the match will be met with the previously awarded state grant and “there'll be no general fund money used for this match.” The presentation estimated the DOE funding could expand the pilot by up to 50 additional participants, reaching as many as 80 delivery workers total.

Committee Chair Supervisor Connie Chan praised the interagency partnership and linked the pilot to ongoing municipal mobility discussions. With no public comment, Chair Chan moved the item to the full Board with a positive recommendation; Vice Chair Rafael Mandelmann and Chair Chan recorded ‘‘aye’’ votes and the motion passed.

The item will next be considered by the full Board of Supervisors.