At first glance, the form has been filled out correctly: The family is applying for a subsidy for the purchase of an e-bike from the support program for environmentally friendly mobility that the municipality of Ismaning launched at the end of July 2019, for grandma. A closer examination by the responsible employees in the town hall reveals that the elderly lady is no longer able to use such a sporty model. The same applies to the financial support applied for when buying an e-scooter for the son. The parents signed the application, although he is not even 15 years old and is not allowed to ride such a scooter.
Apparently, such applications are often received in the Ismaninger town hall, and according to the municipal administration, an examination “always shows” that all other people in the households in question have already received subsidies, for example for a bicycle, but are now using the municipal subsidy program would like to have another purchase co-financed. The municipal council is now putting a stop to this: it has changed the guidelines for the program, which is open to all residents of Ismaning over the age of 15. According to Mayor Alexander Greulich (SPD), further “invitations to cheat” should be avoided. Anyone who submits an application must swear in lieu of an oath that the information provided is correct and complete and that they use the subsidized means of transport themselves regularly in everyday life.
The experiences of the past few years have shown that there are so-called free-rider effects with the program, for example some luxury bicycles for more than 10,000 euros and also sports equipment were bought and subsidized, which it is doubtful that the applicants really used in everyday life. In addition, there are several applications for fast e-bikes and also for corresponding e-scooters, which, however, are not funded, as the administration reports. Nevertheless, the examination takes a lot of time, even if it is rejected at the end.
In order to get money from the municipality, applicants must keep their vehicle in their possession for seven years and not just five. If it is sold before then, the town hall demands a proportionate return of the subsidy. Because the risk of accidents for older people using e-bikes increases, it is suggested that tricycles or quadricycles that are suitable for seniors should be better tested and supported. In general, e-bikes eligible for funding may only have pedal assistance up to 25 kilometers per hour; there are no subsidies for recreational and sports bicycles. For reasons of equal treatment, the administration has suggested to the municipal council that e-bikes, like normal bikes, should only be subsidized with a maximum sum of 250 euros and no longer with up to 500 euros.
By the end of 2022, the municipality of Ismaning had approved 2,340 applications and paid out more than 711,000 euros in funding. According to the town hall, the rush is unabated, but is currently being slowed down by delivery bottlenecks due to missing parts and chips.