Colwood will offer interest-free loans to municipal employees wanting to buy electric bikes, a move one councillor decries as part of a "green kook agenda."

Under the new policy approved by council this week, Colwood staffers will be able to spend up to $3,000 on an electric-assist bike, provided they use it to commute to work at least one day a week. The loan will be repayable through payroll deduction.

"It's a nice thought, but it's totally the wrong message at the wrong time because we're facing a 25 per cent tax hike over and above the almost 18 per cent last year," said Coun. Ernie Robertson.

Robertson, along with Coun. Brian Tucknott and Mayor Dave Saunders, voted against the new policy.

"This is being all pushed by the green kook agenda on council," said Robertson who identified the "green kooks" as "everybody but Brian Tucknott and myself."

While staff say the costs of the program will be small, Robertson noted there was no cost estimate attached to it. He said he and Tucknott will only support environmentally sustainable initiatives that "have a positive impact on the wallets of Colwood taxpayers and this is not one of them."

Saunders said he voted against the initiative because the timing isn't right. "I don't think the electric bike program is necessary right now and if we do implement it, it shouldn't be interest free."

The policy is intended to help reduce Colwood's carbon footprint.

To qualify for the city loan, employees must agree to repay the loan within three years and attempt to buy the bike locally.

Chief administrative officer Chris Pease said the program's costs will be minuscule. "I think the number of takers is going to be very, very few if anybody at all."

One of approximately 65 Colwood employees has an electric bike that's used for commuting to work. The policy is not retroactive. Pease said two or three city employees currently cycle to work.

The new policy is patterned after one the city has had since 1990 to enable staff members to buy personal computers, he said.

Coun. Gordie Logan, who in March bought a gas-powered scooter, supports the initiative, calling it a good program that costs the taxpayer virtually nothing. He said it's actually cheaper than subsidizing transit passes.

"It builds a happier workplace, first and foremost," said Logan, adding the program also promotes physical fitness and helps the municipality meet the province's Climate Action Plan goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2012. "If we get more staff out of their vehicles, that helps our goal."

Logan said he's put about 2,200 kilometres on his small Kymco scooter since March.

"I've actually saved a fortune in fuel."

bcleverley@tc.canwest.com