Cargo bike support program for Aachen families

Support is available for families, registered partnerships and single parents with at least one child living in the household. The following conditions must be met:

• Primary residence in Aachen
• at least one child (up to the age of 18) in your own household

Funding for special cases is possible on application and after individual assessment. Details can be found in the funding guidelines. The following are examples:

• Promotion of transport bikes for severely disabled persons, even if the person to be transported is over the age of 18.
• Promotion of special bikes for people with special needs.
• Funding for applicants with a special multiplier effect, such as employees in childcare, if the bike is also demonstrably used in the context of their work.

Funding is available for the purchase of a new two- or three-wheeled, standard cargo bike that can carry more load volume or weight than a conventional bicycle. The transport purpose is the main focus of the cargo bike and results in a special design. It must therefore meet the following requirements:

• Extended wheelbase of at least 130 cm for two-wheeled cargo bikes
• Approval for at least 45 kg payload (without driver)
• Transport option that is not detachably connected to the cargo bike, with a transport volume of at least 70 liters and/or two permanently installed child seats

By way of derogation, so-called longtails are also eligible for funding, provided that typical vehicle components are purchased for these cargo bikes, which also enable these bikes to be used as cargo bikes and thus clearly distinguish them from a normal pedelec. This includes, for example, the combination of a firmly bolted transport container on the handlebars with several child seats behind the rider's seat. A simple child seat is not sufficient for eligibility. The City of Aachen reserves the right to reject applications for funding if the eligibility as a cargo bike is not or not clearly classifiable. Bicycle trailers are also eligible for funding.

• The maximum funding amount for the purchase of a new e-cargo bike is €2,500.
• Cargo bikes without pedal-electric support are subsidized with a maximum amount of €1,250
• Bicycle trailers are subsidized with a maximum amount of 400 €.
• The funding is staggered in accordance with the statutes on parental contributions for daycare centers and open all-day schools. When submitting the application, a copy of the current "Notice on the determination of parental contributions in accordance with the Act on Early Education and Support of 30.10.2007 in the currently valid version in conjunction with the contribution statutes of the City of Aachen on the collection of parental contributions in the context of the use of childcare services within the meaning of the above-mentioned Act" must be submitted. Applicants who are unable to submit the notification must classify themselves. Appropriate evidence may be requested during the assessment.
• The subsidy rates are shown in the table below. The maximum subsidy rate for acquisition costs is 80% for income groups 1-2 and 50% for income groups 3-7.
• Combination with other subsidies (federal government/state of NRW/third parties) is not permitted.

Simple, fast and digital in the City of Aachen's service portal. Simply fill out the digital form, follow the further instructions in the process and submit the application directly. Please submit your application via the service portal of the City of Aachen. You can also upload the documents here. Postal applications or applications by e-mail are only possible by individual arrangement. This serves to manage the expected high demand and greatly shortens the processing time for all applicants.

1. Your application will be checked and you will be notified if anything is still missing. If the result of the check is positive, you will then receive a confirmation of funding and the form for the proof of use. You can now order/buy your bike.
2. Submit the proof of use provided and the required documents.
3. Your application will then be processed and you will receive payment to the bank account specified in the application

This is possible and must be indicated in the corresponding field in the application. The dealer's offer must be uploaded with the application. You will receive a proof of use form with the funding approval. This must be submitted to the City of Aachen together with the leasing contract. In addition, an informal declaration of intent to take over the cargo bike at the end of the leasing period of at least three years is required. You will then receive the grant in the bank account specified in your application.

You will receive a confirmation once your application has been successfully submitted via the service portal. Due to the high demand, the processing time can take up to 4 weeks. If you have not yet received a response, please contact us at lastenrad@mail.aachen.de

Please refrain from inquiring about the availability of funds. Should the funding be exhausted, this will be communicated here.

Due to the large number of applications, it is possible that not all applications can be approved. However, there will probably be another funding period in 2025. In addition, cargo bikes can be borrowed from various locations. More information can be found at aachen.de/lara.

No, unfortunately this is not possible. The funding is intended to encourage families and single parents who do not yet have a cargo bike to switch from a car to an (electric) cargo bike.

Yes, this is possible, but it is recommended to send an e-mail with the change request to lastenrad@mail.aachen.de so that the eligibility of the alternative bike can be confirmed.

This is possible and does not have to be reported to the city if it is the same model.

After the proof of use and the required documents - and thus your process - have been finally checked, you will receive the unsolicited payment of the funding amount to the bank account specified in your application. If you have not received any feedback or payment 4 weeks after submission, please send a message to lastenrad@mail.aachen.de.

The City of Aachen will use your data to check your eligibility for funding by comparing your details with the data held by the registration office. Further information on data processing and data protection can be found in the data protection sheet and in the funding guidelines.

Unfortunately not, the funding program is aimed exclusively at applicants who have their primary residence in the city of Aachen.

The police recommend investing 10% of the purchase price in theft protection for a bike. A combination of two different locks (U-lock, folding lock, chain lock, etc.) has proven to be effective. In addition, GPS transmitters can be used on many bikes, which can be useful for high-quality bikes. The bike should always be locked to a fixed object and it is also advisable to remove the battery. Insurance against theft and vandalism is also strongly recommended.