Aid for the purchase of a bicycle
Aid for the purchase of a bicycle
Would you like to purchase a new bike thanks to the government’s support programme ? Do you wish you understood the different financial incentives?
The Forfait Mobilité Durable (sustainable mobility fund)
The Sustainable mobility fund is France’s main cycle-to-work benefit, offering up to 500€/year for employees of the private sector and 200€/year for employees of the public sector.
Maximum amount per year
• 800 € for employees of the private sector, including an obligatory funding of 50% of your travelcard from your employer (public transports or self-service bicycle rental system).
• 200 € for employees of the public sector.
In order to increase eco-friendly commutes, employers can subsidize their employee’s transport costs, as long as they cycle to work. And it works with regular bikes and ebikes too!
As an employer of the private sector covering your employees’ public transport costs or bike rental costs, this funding is complementary and non-obligatory.
To benefit from this programme, the employee must submit a declaration on their honour or suitable evidence that his or her bike is used for daily commutes. The Toulouse-born app Uwinbike can help you simplifying this process!
Whether state or local, financial aid can help you change your mean of transport and can sometimes be combined. Here is a short guide to help you find your way around.
Article updated on February 8, 2024.
1. The “Bonus écologique” (green bonus) from the French government
Effective August 15 to December 31, 2022
Amount : 200 €
Maximum amount: 150 € for the purchase of a new mechanical bicycle
400 € for a new e-bike
2000 € for a cargo bike, folding bike, bike adapted for people with disabilities and electric trailer
From now on, this bonus can be granted to you even if you do not benefit from a subsidy paid by a local authority for the same bicycle.
You can only benefit from it once and it is paid under specific income conditions, except for people with disabilities, who are eligible regardless of their income.
The bike you purchased must also fulfil specific requirements.
2. The «Eco-chèque mobilité » (green mobility check) to subsidize the purchase of an electric bike from the Occitanie region
Amount : 200 €
This incentive is cumulative with the government’s “Bonus écologique”. It follows similar requirements except for income requirements.
Another incentive: assistance with the purchase of a folding bike. Since January 2021, liO Train annual subscribers have been entitled to a flat-rate subsidy of €100.
3. The “Bonus Forfait Mobilité Durable” (Green mobility package bonus) from the Occitanie region
Since July the 1st, 2020, the Occitanie region subsidizes the purchase of an electric bike or a regular bike for employees benefiting from the cycle-to-work scheme “Forfait mobilités durables” (see box opposite).
> When purchasing an ebike
Amount :
- 80% of the purchase cost of the ebike, capped at 400€ for non-taxable persons.
- 50% of the purchase cost of the ebike, capped at 200€ for taxable persons.
> When purchasing a regular bike
Amount :
- 80% of the purchase cost of the regular bike, capped at 240€ for non-taxable persons.
- 50% of the purchase cost of the regular bike, capped at 150€ for taxable persons.
4. The “Prime vélo” (Bike bonus) from Toulouse Métropole
Amount : up to 600€ for a private person and 1000€ for a professional.
The bonus is up to 40% of the purchase cost of the bike, before tax. However, this bonus is capped according to your income and to the type of bike purchased, rented or transformed.
This incentive is cumulative with the government’s « Bonus écologique » and also with the « Éco-chèque mobilité » and the “Bonus Forfait Mobilité Durable” from the Occitanie region (see above).
> Financial incentive for purchasing a bike
- Regular bike or foldable bike, new or second-hand (up to 100 €)
- Electric bike, new or second-hand (up to 250 €)
- Cargo bike/tricycle/trailer new or second-hand, with or without electric assist (up to 600 €).
The bike will have to be marked and registred in the national Bicycode database, and kept for at least 3 years.
> Financial incentive for long-term bike rental
- Regular bike for private persons
- Cargo bike/tricycle/trailer new or second-hand, with or without electric assist for professionals.
5. The “Prime à la conversion” (conversion premium) to subsidize the purchase of an e-bike from the French governement
Effective August 15 to December 31, 2022
Maximum amount: 3000 €
You can benefit, under certain conditions, from a conversion premium when you buy or rent an electrically assisted bicycle (VAE). You must, at the same time, scrap an old diesel or gasoline vehicle. This bonus is in addition to the so-called ecological bonus.
The scrapping of a polluting vehicle now entitles you to a conversion bonus for the purchase of a bicycle by several members of the same tax household.
You benefit from a bonus if you live or work in a low-emission zone and your local authority has paid you aid to buy or rent an electrically assisted bicycle. Up to 1000 €.