IT’S LIKE RIDING AN EBIKE
First things first: this is not a paid blog, rather it is my first-hand experience with a local ebike retailer that I enjoyed meeting.
About six months ago I got really excited about ebikes and a quick google search showed that there’s only one local store specializing in just ebikes. Many other retailers sell and service them, but I wanted to meet someone who has put all their eggs in the ebike basket. So I went over to meet him (in my car… oops haha). I didn’t even know what questions I was going to ask, but I just wanted to get the skinny.
Tom Mulligan was the perfect guy to meet. He patiently explained to me the basics about ebikes and offered to stay in touch. (I explained to him a little about the #electrifyeverything movement.) We did stay in touch after that, and we even went on to host a “graduation ceremony” at his shop for our latest electrification class!
Celebration gathering from our Electrification class at Pedego
Check out some questions I recently asked him, and if you are local to West Michigan, be sure to stop into Pedego Electric Bikes!
COULD YOU SHARE AN EARLY MEMORY OF RIDING A BIKE?
Before I could ride, I would walk my brother’s bike around the yard making motor noises. My brother wanted his bike back so he taught me how to ride. I got my own Schwinn Bicentennial (1976) Red, White and Blue Stingray a few weeks later and I’ve loved riding ever since.
WHAT’S THE HYPE ALL ABOUT, WHY ARE EBIKES TAKING OFF?
Ebikes are a game changer for so many people who have not really enjoyed riding traditional (aka acoustic) bikes as adults. We’re seeing people from all backgrounds return to riding bikes. The motor makes riding enjoyable for more people. I love being a part of this journey with our customers. Also, I do love bikes of all kinds so this was a great life transition for me.
WHAT ARE SOME NON-TANGIBLE BENEFITS TO OWNING AN EBIKE?
I think we’re offering people an opportunity to ride a bike again. Providing we’re comfortable and feel safe, riding a bike of any kind is a liberating, outdoor experience where we get to see more, do more, and enjoy the experience more with others. By adding a motor, an ebike makes this experience available to more people. Pedego offers 18 models of ebikes. So we have a quality ebike for everyone that is comfortable, safe and enjoyable.
LET'S SHARE A FEW NUMBERS... TELL ME ABOUT SOME OF THE MAIN METRICS, AND HOW THEY VARY.
Battery Range – longest is up to 40-70 miles. Shortest is 15-30 miles.
Motor Power – Most bikes have a 750W motor. Others have 350W or 500W.
Top Speed – Most bikes go up to 20mph. Some can go up to 28mph.
Charge Time – 4-6 hours from empty to full depending on battery size.
Warranty – All Pedegos come with a 5 year warranty.
WHEN WE FIRST MET YOU HAD NOT HEARD OF THE #ELECTRIFYEVERYTHING MOVEMENT. WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECT OF OWNING AN EBIKE?
Personally, I see a tremendous long term upside to ebikes in the market. But the fact is, in the US, commuting by bike of any kind is relatively uncommon. So, it’s likely to be a long term transition to more active commuting and linked to increasing costs of car ownership.
From a business standpoint, our customers are mostly looking for the fun of riding a bike again. Once we’re comfortable and have a safe place to ride, ebike owners tend to ride frequently throughout their week. It’s a refreshing way to end (or start) the day for some. Exercise for others. Both for many.