RMI program staff spend most of their time on established projects supported by designated funding. But early-stage ideas like this require flexible support. With that backing, Bryn began developing the model in spare moments at work. Driven by her own excitement, she continued building it on her own time at home.

Her early analysis examined everyday travel — quick errands, school drop-offs, short commutes — and explored how e-bikes could realistically replace them.

“I’ve had an e-bike since 2018, and it’s my primary mode of transportation,” Bryn says. “I don’t drive within Boulder — I only bike — so I know it’s a much cheaper, cleaner way to get around.”

The results pointed to meaningful opportunities to cut household costs while reducing pollution.

By 2023, with additional flexible support, that early model evolved into the E-Bike Environment & Economics Impact Calculator. Designed as a public, user-friendly tool, it helps cities, states, and organizations estimate the real-world impacts of e-bike adoption — including cost savings, emissions reductions, and broader community benefits.

The response was immediate. Early traction demonstrated both demand and trust in the tool’s methodology, helping RMI secure dedicated funding so Bryn could focus fully on expanding and strengthening the calculator.

“Flexibility creates space for exploration, enabling our experts to test ideas, refine solutions, and build tools like the e-bike calculator that can scale,” says Ellen Kennedy, a principal on RMI’s carbon-free transportation team. “It’s a critical part of how we move faster on the energy transition.”

Today, the calculator is informing policy decisions across the United States and beyond. Cities like Atlanta and Portland, and states including Colorado and Illinois, are using it to design smarter incentive programs.

In Arkansas, an organization used the calculator to help secure a $7 million grant for e-bike incentives — translating analysis into real investment. National organizations, federal agencies, and international partners are also using the tool, with global interest continuing to grow.

What began as a side project is now helping communities rethink transportation, lower household costs, and reduce emissions — one short trip at a time.

In 2022, RMI published preliminary analysis highlighting the disconnection risks facing vulnerable households and the lack of available data. From there, the team continued to work behind the scenes, collaborating with state public utility commissions, consumer advocates, academics, and federal partners to build momentum for better data collection and transparency.

In 2024, RMI submitted formal comments advocating for a new federal data collection initiative through the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). In April 2026, the EIA released the first dataset providing standardized, state-level data on utility disconnections.

Now, for the first time, states and regulators can consistently track disconnections, assess the effectiveness of policies, and compare outcomes across jurisdictions. What was once largely invisible is now measurable and actionable.

Progress like this doesn’t happen overnight. It reflects years of sustained engagement, coalition-building, and technical expertise. RMI’s groundwork lays the foundation for smarter policies that protect households and ensure access to essential energy services.