More and extra Albertans have been investing in two-wheel transportation because the pandemic started, and it seems that development is continuous.
Geoff Whittaker with Bow Cycle E-Bikes in southeast Calgary says there was a noticeable improve in gross sales of electrical bikes and non-electric bikes.
“We’ve been in a bike boom situation over the last couple of years because of supply and demand of existing bikes,” stated Whittaker.
“Certain bikes are totally unavailable just because it depends on the manufacturer and they are not big enough to get the steel or the parts”
Beyond the provision chain concern, Whittaker says way of life modifications and growing fuel costs have additionally been elements in individuals making deciding to make a purchase order. His household, for instance, downsized to one automobile and bought an e-bike – and he says others are doing the identical.
“We’re seeing quite a few people doing that now. They might live in Bridgeland or something and work downtown and now they don’t need to pay $500 a month for second parking stall and they can just ride a bike over to work.”
According to ebicycles.com, e-bikes gross sales are growing worldwide. It states that by “2023, it is expected that the total number of electric bikes in circulation around the world will reach 300 million. That is a 50 per cent increase compared to 2019’s 200 million.”
Whittaker says one more reason individuals are investing in two-wheeled transportation is to get extra train. Specifically talking about e-bikes, he’s says it’s allowed individuals of numerous ages and health degree get outdoors extra usually.
“Maybe they can’t climb that hill anymore, but the e-bike sort of eliminated that challenge and all of a sudden they can ride bikes again, no matter what your age.”
Getting up hills is one of the principle the explanation why the city of Banff has rolled out an e-bike rebate program.
Staring Jan. 26, residents who buy an e-bike will get 30 per cent or $750 of their buy lined.
An even increased rebate is obtainable by way of the Banff Access Program, the place eligible candidates can rise up to $1,000 again.
“If now we have extra people on bikes it’s going to imply we may have cleaner mountain air, that now we have much less greenhouse fuel emissions and that now we have much less site visitors,” stated Mayor of Banff Corrie DiManno.
“The price of gas has gone up, and this should be an incentive to have folks think about other ways to get around the community.”