‘I see pleasure, I see happiness, I see health, and I see a complete change in way of life,’ says BikeSports proprietor Tom Zielinski
A brand new development is spinning by Newmarket that makes train safer and extra accessible than ever.
For seniors and people seeking to improve their biking skills, it might even be a game-changer.
Electrical bikes are the newest craze to hit Newmarket’s train scene, with gross sales reporting a pointy improve over the previous a number of years. Constructed with an built-in electrical motor, the bikes present battery-powered propulsion the place wanted, rising the gap, problem of terrain, and steepness of slopes that the common biker is ready to traverse.
With completely different ranges of assists and the power to disable the motor, electrical bikes run the gamut of depth.
BikeSports proprietor Tom Zielinski has witnessed the electrical bike craze firsthand. With gross sales spiking within the latest months, he’s had problem conserving stock in inventory at his Newmarket Predominant Avenue retailer.
The biggest demographic buying electrical bikes, he mentioned, are retired seniors and professionals aged 30 to 50 in search of a neater manner round city and to and from work.
Zielinksi has a hunch he’ll solely see the age vary and quantity of electrical bike customers develop.
“Yesterday, a girl walked within the retailer and mentioned, ‘I’ve (cycled) 2,100 kilometers this summer season.’ Wow. She’s round 70,” mentioned Zielinski. “I see pleasure, I see happiness, I see health, and I see a complete change in way of life.”
Newmarket’s Peter Rowlands is one in all BikeSports’ happy prospects. Although he wouldn’t name himself a severe bike owner, he has been biking his entire life. Buying an electrical bike wasn’t one thing the senior initially had in thoughts, however encouragement from Zielinksi and nice testimonials from pals prompted him to offer it a attempt.
“I used to be a little bit of a purist,” mentioned Rowlands. “Nonetheless, as soon as I attempted one out, I quickly realized that they’re the subsequent neatest thing to sliced bread — simply as Tom informed me.”
Rowlands’ associate, Susan, unable to manually cycle because of sore legs, quickly bought an electrical bike of her personal. It was her first time biking in many years. Collectively, the 2 of them get pleasure from biking alongside native rail trails and scenic paths. This 12 months, Rowlands has logged a formidable 4,000 kilometers.
“Daily it’s sunny, I’m on it,” mentioned Rowlands. “I wouldn’t say I’m biking greater than I used to, however the pleasure issue has gone up. To do an 80-kilometer cycle isn’t exterior the envelope for me, however to cycle the primary half manually, and the way in which house electrical, is exceedingly pleasurable.”
Zielinski is nicely conscious of the advantages electrical bikes can convey to seniors. But regardless of their present recognition, he admitted they will usually nonetheless be a tough promote. There’s a stigma that electrical bikes are “lazy”, he mentioned — however it couldn’t be farther from the reality.
“Imagine it or not, some individuals don’t like once I counsel electrical bikes. They stroll away from the shop, get mad. However I say to them: now that you just’re right here, you don’t have anything to lose, take the bike out, and should you don’t prefer it, I’ll put together a daily bike for you. They take it out, they usually come again panting,” mentioned Zielinski.
BikeSports has offered 12 electrical bicycles to seniors alone in September. Enterprise, Zielinski mentioned, is sweet.
The price of electrical bikes vary from $2,499 to $9,199.
“With an electrical bike, you may journey anytime, wherever. Hills disappear fully. You may have train, recent air, all the advantages of biking — with a little bit little bit of assist.”
