Why we’re ditching cars for e-bikes
MORE Toowoomba residents are ditching their cars for e-bikes, with shops reporting a big jump in sales of bicycles with electric motors.
Bikeline Toowoomba owner Marcel Govers said he moved a few e-bikes a week, and the numbers had only increased during the COVID-19 period.
“If you don’t have the fitness to go and ride in Toowoomba, where we’ve got so many hills, the ebike can basically help take out those hills,” he said.
“We’re seeing so many people make that transition from not cycling at all to riding an e-bike.
MORE Toowoomba residents are ditching their cars for e-bikes, with shops reporting a big jump in sales of bicycles with electric motors.
Bikeline Toowoomba owner Marcel Govers said he moved a few e-bikes a week, and the numbers had only increased during the COVID-19 period.
“If you don’t have the fitness to go and ride in Toowoomba, where we’ve got so many hills, the e-bike can basically help take out those hills,” he said.
“We’re seeing so many people make that transition from not cycling at all to riding an e-bike.
“I’ve spoken to many people who are getting rid of a car and getting an e-bike.
“We’ve sold a few e-bikes every week – it’s a big part of our sales.”
Mr Govers said he would like to see governments invest more into cycling infrastructure to meet growing interest in the activity.
“The infrastructure is not necessarily always there for people to have that comfort to get on a bike and cycle to work or school,” he said.
“With COVID, we’re seeing a lot of people taking up cycling, and that’s a good jump.
“A lot of cities worldwide are taking that opportunity to also invest in their infrastructure, but I’m not seeing that too much here.”
Jonny Sprockets Bike Shop head technician Damien Neylon said more people were taking up e-bikes for mountain biking, particularly with the more expensive models.
“We probably are about 50-50 between traditional and e-bikes in the way of high-range models,” he said.