Bike purchase grant in Bordeaux Métropole in 2026: scale, eligible bikes, town grants

Checked on 16 October 2026 on Bordeaux Métropole's official "L'aide à l'achat vélo" page. The scheme is presented there as renewed until 2027, with financial support from the French State under the "Villes respirables en 5 ans" (breathable cities in 5 years) programme.

Bordeaux Métropole has been funding bike purchases since 2012: more than 9,000 grants paid, about €1.5 million in total according to the authority. The 2026 scheme isn't the most generous in France — €250 maximum for an e-bike — but it has two rare qualities: it is open to people who work in the metropolitan area without living there, and it accepts used bikes bought from a professional.

Who can claim it?

• Private individuals (not businesses).
• Who live or work in one of the 28 municipalities of Bordeaux Métropole. An employee living in Libourne or Arcachon and working in Mérignac qualifies.
• With a taxable income per tax share of up to €24,900.
• For a bike bought less than a year ago on the day you apply.

The 2026 scale

How it's calculated: reference taxable income (first page of your French tax notice) divided by the number of shares. A childless couple with €40,000 RFR (2 shares) is at €20,000 per share: €100, whatever the bike.

The scale is a flat amount: the official page gives no percentage of the price, unlike Paris or Lyon. A €900 e-bike and a €3,500 e-bike get the same grant.

Which bikes qualify?

Bordeaux Métropole talks about "specific bikes", new or used, meeting current standards:

• electrically assisted bike;
• folding bike (electric or not);
• electrification kit for a standard bike;
• cargo bike and longtail;
• adult tricycle and bike adapted for disabled people.

You must attach the type-approval or conformity certificate. A standard pedal city bike, a mountain bike or a road bike is not covered. Nor are speed bikes: legally they're mopeds (see our 25 vs 45 km/h article).

You must buy from a professional, including for used bikes. An e-bike bought privately on a classifieds site doesn't qualify; a refurbished e-bike sold by a shop does. To choose a refurbished one well: battery, warranty and fair price.

Step by step

1. Check that you live or work in one of the 28 municipalities, and work out your income per share.
2. Buy the bike from a professional, with an invoice in your name.
3. Get the type-approval or conformity certificate (standard NF EN 15194 for an e-bike).
4. Apply within a year of purchase: online via the "Remplissez votre demande en ligne" link on the official page, or by downloading the PDF grant application form.
5. Prepare the usual documents — the exact list is in the form: ID, proof of address (or of employment if you work in the area without living there), tax notice, bank details (RIB).
6. Questions: 05 56 93 68 00 or subventionvelo@bordeaux-metropole.fr.

Town grants to stack

The Métropole lists additional town grants, which can "sometimes" be combined with its own:

We haven't checked the 2026 town amounts: call your town hall before buying, as some grants require applying before purchase or buying from partner shops.

What about the low-emission zone?

The City of Bordeaux offers an online procedure called "aide pour un vélo spécifique en remplacement de mon véhicule personnel non classé" (grant for a specific bike to replace my unclassified personal vehicle), linked to the low-emission zone (on mesdemarches.bordeaux.fr). We could not verify its 2026 amounts or conditions. If you're scrapping an old car with no Crit'Air rating, look into it: it may be worth more than the metropolitan grant alone.

Electric two-wheelers and other levers

• Electric scooters and motorbikes: Bordeaux Métropole's page mentions no grant for individuals. The national bonus ended in February 2025.
• Sustainable mobility allowance (forfait mobilités durables): up to €600 a year tax-free if your employer offers it, €900 combined with the TBM transit pass. Details in our national overview.
• Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region: the metropolitan page mentions no regional grant for individuals; check the Region's website.

Worked examples

The last case deserves a comment: an electric mountain bike still counts as an e-bike under the scheme, but its value for urban trips is debatable. For the same grant, a city e-bike often costs half as much.

Which bike for Bordeaux?

Flat city, landscaped quays, the Pont de Pierre and footbridges: Bordeaux suits a light e-bike or even a pedal bike. Since the grant doesn't cover standard bikes, it steers you towards electric, folding (handy with the tram) or cargo. To compare: the best city bikes of 2026, small front-load bikes, e-bikes under 20 kg and family cargo bikes.

Key points

• Flat-rate grant: €100 to €250 for an e-bike, folding bike or kit; €100 to €350 for a cargo, longtail or adapted bike.
• RFR/share up to €24,900; open to people who live or work in the 28 municipalities.
• New or used, but from a professional; apply within a year of purchase.
• Scheme renewed until 2027; possible town grants in Mérignac, Cenon, Le Taillan-Médoc, Bègles.

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The grant accepts used bikes bought in a shop: if you're selling your old bike along the way, value your bike to get a fair price.