“So I thought, ‘I’ve got the skills – why not do it myself’.”
Those factors add up to explain why electric bikes make up a larger part of the cycling market each year. The benefits of modern living mean many people enjoy exercise up to retirement age and far beyond. Cycling has always been a beneficial, low-impact activity, and battery assistance puts hills and greater distances within the capabilities of older or convalescing cyclists. An e-bike’s gearing enables cyclists of differing ability to keep pace with one another, and zeroemission, low-cost transportation appeals to users of all ages. “We have people in their 70s and 80s getting out there and biking, whereas two or three years ago that wouldn’t have happened,” says Ross. I was fortunate to be able to take the Maverick – which evokes the appearance of an early 1920s motorcycle, but is light and manoeuvrable – for a short spin. The surge of assisted power once you begin pedalling does give you an initial ‘start’ in more ways than one, but before long I was shifting up through the power modes and thoroughly enjoying the sensation. I returned to the factory wearing a huge grin – what could be better than an environmentally conscious mode of transport that is also fun to ride? “What gives me a buzz is when people ring up, after they’ve had a bike for a day or two, and say: ‘Ross, this is fantastic’. We know there are people out there riding 75km a day on their bikes, to and from work, and we’re providing them with that means.” Rev Bikes opened with a trade-in deal, where customers could bring in their old bikes for a discount on a new electric cycle. The Rev team intend to restore those trade-ins and make them available to special-needs children for monthly guided rides.
Self-build spawns a business
Photo: Supplied
Another Nelsonian sharing his love of e-bikes with the world is engineer and entrepreneur Frank Witowski. He had designed and improved solar-energy systems since 2004, until cancer changed the direction of his life. After successful surgery, the man who always liked to be busy was faced with a crucial decision. “Stress and cancer are a good fit, and because I was always stressed I decided, ‘Okay, let’s change my lifestyle a little bit. Let’s do something for my health’s sake and get a bike’.” Frank was aware of the growing trend towards e-bikes, and living at the top of a steep hill decided this was the ideal option. However, he couldn’t find a model that appealed within his price range. “So I thought, ‘I’ve got the skills – why not do it myself’.”
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Photo: Aimee Macquet
F R A N K W I TOW S K I
Above: Clockwise - Engineer and entrepreneur Frank Witowski; close-up of the super-light carbon fibre
He travelled up and down the country, speaking to dealers and riders to find out what makes a good e-bike. Analysing all that information, Frank designed his dream cycle and had it manufactured in China. This prototype for what would become the commercially available Hybrid bike is nothing less than sculptural in appearance. Shaped in matt-black, super-light carbon fibre, even the kickstand looks aerodynamic. The lithium-ion battery unit complements the overall form rather than being just a functional addition. On a single charge the bike has a maximum range of 100km, with the speed setting limited to 45km/h. Needless to say, Frank’s new bike quickly attracted attention. With so many people asking him where they could buy one, the entrepreneurial side of his nature came to the fore. Once again, he travelled the country, this time to gauge interest from cycle dealers. The positive response persuaded Frank to go into full-scale production, and Hybrid Bikes was formed in February last year. Now available in four models at Frank’s target price-mark of just below $5000, the Hybrid has also benefitted from a recent glowing report from Consumer magazine and exposure on TVNZ’s Seven Sharp. This has certainly been a power-assisted journey for the man who originally just wanted to get some exercise. “I say, ‘Look at the Hybrid, lift it, ride it,’ and the bike sells itself. I still have a long way to go but every step along the way has felt really good.”