Electric bicycles are the future

WITH several countries already using the electric bicycle (e-bike) as a daily means of transportation, a Pietermaritzburg independent cycle dealer believes KZN could soon be joining in.

As fuel prices soar, Navin Kain, owner of Hattons Cycles, is confident the province could adapt to this way of commuting, though not overnight.

“I’ve travelled abroad extensively and that’s the way the world is going with electric buses, cars, planes, trucks and bicycles. We have a commuter market in South Africa and this is something the government needs to focus on,” he said.

E-bikes are designed with commuters, leisure cyclists and mountain bikers in mind.

The first battery-powered e-bike was invented in 1895 but big companies only started to show interest in the concept in the 1990s.

The market continues to grow, with dealers believing the high tech features could still attract new customers.

Kain said that the various available types were made out of carbon fibre which contributed to smoother and lighter rides.

They are fitted with motors and have rechargeable long-lasting batteries. Riders can travel at speeds of between 25 and 45km/h.

The bicycles use two types of power delivery, the first being power on demand, where a throttle, button and trigger are used by the rider to activate the motor.

In this instance, no assistance is provided to the rider, but there is no need to sweat because pedalling is reduced when the motor takes control.

The other type is pedal assist, where motor power allows for faster pedalling. The rider chooses a level, and power for easy pedalling is released accordingly.

Depending on preferences and needs, a bike will cost between R20 000 and R250 000. These bikes are rechargeable, with a specialised charger to use during load shedding.

“We cater to a niche market but because these are a breath of fresh air, I’m confident we will see more getting on our roads. In-house finance is also available over a period of two to three years,” he said.

Kain said those who owned the bikes were either fitness enthusiasts, those struggling with injuries or those of age needing assistance. For fitness enthusiasts, the bikes were a dream come true as they improved fitness. For the unfit, the in-built technology allowed them to negotiate steep hills.

“Even if you are unfit or you have a medical injury, you can definitely still ride,” said Kain.

“Although they’re a bit expensive, the health benefits outweigh the costs and motorists will save on petrol if they opt for these bicycles. People are not exposed to what is available out there, but once they grasp the concept, that will be it,” he said.

Although they weigh 25kg, theft of these e-bikes is still possible, but Kain said thieves were often deterred by the safety features which made it difficult to switch the bike on.

“Everyone will eventually buy an e-bike, when they realise that when you ride it, no hill is too steep and you are able to ride long distances.

“You can see so much more riding in nature and going where not everyone else goes. Everyone had their fun before on the normal bike, but now it’s time for us to have the fun on e-bikes,” he said.