Minimalism in Motion: How a Free E-Bike Helped Ben Live with More Intention
Ben Ryan posing with his new Trek e-bike.
“The assistance and encouragement from CEC was the motivation I needed to move forward. For me, it’s not just transportation. It’s a lifestyle shift, and I wish I’d done it sooner.””
For Ben Ryan, the decision to switch from a car to an electric bike came from a deeper desire for balance — to reduce his carbon footprint, live with more intention, and reconnect with the simple joy of moving through the world at his own pace. As an artist and writer living in downtown Santa Barbara, where the ocean breeze and bike-friendly streets invite you outdoors, he was ready to say goodbye to the daily traffic, parking struggles and maintenance that came with driving.
He had researched local incentives and knew they could make e-bike ownership more affordable, but when he tried to navigate the paperwork and eligibility questions, he nearly gave up. Then he remembered receiving an email from the Community Environmental Council (CEC) promoting their free incentive guidance service.
A few weeks later, he was cruising through town on a brand new Trek e-bike — which he received completely free, lock included, thanks to a voucher he was eligible for through the California E-Bike Incentive Project. “The assistance and encouragement from CEC was the motivation I needed to move forward,” Ben said. “For me, it’s not just transportation. It’s a lifestyle shift, and I wish I’d done it sooner.”
From commuting and running errands to soaking in the coastline on weekend rides, Ben’s e-bike has become his go-to vehicle. He’s excited to shift entirely to e-biking for all his transportation needs and hopes others will follow his lead. “Try it once. Just take a ride,” he urges. “You’ll see how easy it feels and how much it changes your daily life.”
