2023 Bike Bonus: Who Can Benefit from the Purchase Assistance?

The Ministry of Ecological Transition modifies the rules for the bike bonus in 2023. What assistance for which bikes and under what conditions?

Billions of euros are pouring into cars, including the funds allocated to fuel subsidies or the fuel voucher. Fortunately, this extends to more environmentally friendly solutions, like carpooling bonuses. What about bikes? Bicycles are not being left by the wayside, as the government is extending purchase subsidies in 2023.

Are Bikes Finally Being Taken Seriously?

On September 20, 2022, the “Bike and Active Mobility Plan” sounded better to our ears. Instead of a budget of 350 million euros over five years, the Ministry of Ecological Transition committed to 250 million euros for the year 2023 alone. Among the measures within this scope, the assistance for purchasing a bike will reach more people.

“Biking is a real solution for short-distance travel without polluting and fully contributes to the ecological transition” declares Minister Clément Beaune “this transition must be accessible to all French people. That’s why we have decided to extend these purchase aids throughout 2023, for the benefit of modest households.”

50% of Households Can Obtain the Bike Bonus in 2023

As of January 1, 2023, France has loosened the conditions for obtaining the aid. Instead of a maximum RFR (reference taxable income) of €13,489, the RFR cap increases to €14,089. This should allow “coverage of 50% of the most modest households” according to the government. For enhanced aids, the ceiling increases from €6,300 to €6,358.

Thus, the most modest households can still receive a 40% subsidy on a new bike. However, the ceilings vary depending on the type of bike and RFR. The cap is €150 for a classic or “muscular” bike, but rises to €300-€400 on an electric bike. It even reaches €1,000-€2,000 on cargo and folding bikes, which are very expensive to buy.

Here are the new conditions and amounts for the 2023 bike purchase aid:

Also read: Which electric bike to buy for less than €2000?