Counterpoint | No, don’t scrap Minnesota’s e-bike subsidies

Key Takeaways:

• Opinion piece argues against eliminating Minnesota’s e-bike subsidies
• Author Lucy Rehm says the incentives foster an inclusive, statewide benefit
• Rehm warns that “problems won’t solve themselves through wishful thinking, partisan attacks or policy reversals”
• Column frames the debate as action versus partisanship
• The article appeared in the Star Tribune on Aug. 18, 2025

Keeping the Wheels Turning
Minnesota’s e-bike subsidies are under fire, but writer and advocate Lucy Rehm is racing to their defense. In her Star Tribune counterpoint, pointedly titled “No, don’t scrap Minnesota’s e-bike subsidies,” Rehm positions the incentive program as a cornerstone of a more accessible, forward-thinking state.

Why the Incentives Matter
“They help build a state that works for everyone,” Rehm writes, arguing that the subsidies open doors for residents who might otherwise find the cost of an e-bike prohibitive. The larger payoff, she suggests, is a healthier, more mobile population and a transportation option that slots neatly into Minnesota’s climate goals.

Beyond Partisan Cross-Fire
For Rehm, the real obstacle is not cost but politics. “Problems won’t solve themselves through wishful thinking, partisan attacks or policy reversals,” she cautions. Rolling back the program, she contends, would be less a fiscal decision than a concession to short-term political theater.

A Call for Practical Action
Instead of scrapping the subsidies, Rehm presses policymakers to double down on what is working. Her message is clear: progress requires commitment, not retreat. To abandon the e-bike program now, she argues, would stall Minnesota’s momentum—just when the state is beginning to pick up speed.