The Buzz of the e-Bike

Th e Buzz of the e-Bike

EIGHTEEN MONTHS AGO, WEST ASHTON RODE AN ELECTRIC BIKE FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME. THE MEMORY OF BEING ON A DRAGSTER AT SIX IGNITED SOMETHING IN HIM HE COULDN’T IGNORE. NOW, THE NORTH MANLY LOCAL HAS OPENED ENERGY ELECTRIC BIKES IN BROOKVALE, AND HIS CRUISIN’ COMMUNITY HAS ARRIVED. West Ashton was getting his daily coffee fi x at Fuel Espresso Bar in Brookvale, when the universe sent him a sign. It read, ‘For lease.’

“I used to come to Fuel every morning on my way to work,” the Channel 7 cameraman tells COVERED. “One day the shop next door to Fuel came up for lease and I thought, I’m going to give this a try. If something gets in the way, I’ll stop, but if not, I’m going to fi nd affordable electric bikes and give people a chance to experience the same buzz I did the fi rst time I rode one.”

Like many of us, West’s passion for bike riding started as a kid.

“I grew up in Perth and got a Dragster when I was six years old. I had that bike until I was 17. I rode it everywhere and spent hours fi xing it, changing it, altering it,” he recalls.

When West moved to Sydney in 1995, he avoided investing in two wheels because of the hills. Little did he know an e-Bike would change all that.

“A year and a half ago, I rode an e-Bike for the fi rst time and I felt like a 15-yearold kid,” he laughs. “I had this unlimited power and energy and after that, I became obsessed with buying one.”

As is often the case with entrepreneurs, West went on the hunt for his new bike only to discover a contemporary industry that was lacking something special.

“I started shopping and two things happened,” he explains. “One, the customer service was terrible. And two, all the e-Bikes I found were $5,000! That’s when I thought, I could do so much better. I could fi nd bikes that are affordable and get people really excited like I was.”

Words: DONNA ARMSTRONG Images: ENERGY ELECTRIC BIKES

SAFE AND SOUND

In October 2020 West opened the doors to Energy Electric Bikes and he’s pumped to have found his commercial home in Brookvale, right next door to his favourite coffee shop.

“I love this part of Brookvale. I love the factories and I feel at home here - it’s like my backyard. The area is changing all the time. When I knock off work and ride home, there are people hanging out, visiting the breweries. Sunday at 11am is Yum Cha so there are always families about.

“The shop is also next door to a carpark, between Chard and Winbourne Road, so I can stand at the door and watch people safely test ride my bikes. I feel like a dad. I’m always saying, ‘Please be careful. Stay off the road.’ That’s one part of the job I wasn’t expecting.”

The number of e-Bikes imported to Australia has tripled over the past fi ve West is so passionate about his new business, his philosophy is simple. Anything you need, they’ll do it.

“I’ve lent my bike to a customer at the moment because his has a fault. Lots of customers ride past and say hi - I often run out with my tool kit and throw my allen key across the bikes. I’m invested in every bike and customer that leaves my store.”

West says the shop will always be small and community focused and in a suburb like Brookie, that’s the perfect path for success. •

“A year and a half ago I rode an e-bike for the fi rst time and I felt like a 15-year-old kid. I had this unlimited power and energy and after that I became obsessed with buying one.”

years. They use rechargeable batteries and can travel up to 25 km/h (16 to 20 mph). In picturesque and hilly locations like the Northern Beaches, it’s no surprise they’re gaining popularity.

“We have a huge variety of customers,” says West. “From 16-year-old surfers, to nurses who commute to the Northern Beaches hospital and 70-year-old ladies who want to ride again. We’re converting people’s habits and getting them out of their cars.”

And that’s the great benefi t of an e-Bike - it’s good for you and good for the environment.

“A lot of people have normal bikes and never use them because of the hills,” says West. “If you have an e-Bike, you’ll use it every day and still get your heart rate up. Even if you’re assisted, you’re still peddling.”

Energy Electric Bikes have nailed their dream of delivering affordable bikes and exceptional customer service.

“I’ve enjoyed working with people all my life as a cameraman and people like working with me - now I’m bringing that vibe to the shop. I want to make people feel welcome and looked after.”

BONUS OFFER

Purchase any bike from Energy Electric Bikes in Autumn and we’ll give you a FREE Basil Milk Crate & Vault combination cable lock & Data ID Kit.

JUST TELL US YOU SAW THIS OFFER IN BEACHES COVERED!

ENERGY ELECTRIC BIKES 6/674 PITTWATER RD, BROOKVALE CNR CHARD ROAD 0418 947 383 INSTA + FB: ENERGYELECTRICBIKES

www.energyelectricbikes.com