New electric bike shop in P.E.I. offers largest collection in Atlantic Canada

CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — The proprietor of a brand new electric-bike store in Charlottetown says the general public is buzzing with pleasure for his product. 

The Rising Tides Electrical Bicycle store, which opened on decrease Queen Road within the P.E.I. capital on July 22, affords brand-new electrical bikes, often called e-bikes, to lease or purchase.

One of many causes for beginning the enterprise was to create an area in Charlottetown the place folks may select a quick but eco-friendly technique of transportation, proprietor Frank MacEachern mentioned throughout a current interview with Saltwire Community. 

“Local weather change had a big impact on the enterprise mannequin,” he mentioned. 

“I wasn’t able to retire, and I needed to begin a enterprise that might make just a little little bit of a distinction in folks’s lives and the local weather,” he mentioned. 

‘I used to be hooked’

MacEachern has been an avid bike owner for over 50 years. 

He started doing analysis on e-bikes over the previous a number of years and considering of how to begin a enterprise that might be sustainable within the long-run. 

“The extra I delve into it, the higher the thought appeared. I couldn’t say no after some time, I used to be hooked.” 

For MacEachern, it was necessary to buy bikes the typical particular person may afford. Selecting a model that supplied a variety of bikes at various costs was essential. 

“The most costly bike we now have is 3,500 {dollars},” mentioned MacEachern. 

Though that worth could seem excessive, many high-end e-bikes in Canada can price over $10,000. 

Renting is at the moment an possibility, with prices starting from $40 per hour to $80 per day. Cost plans are additionally one thing the enterprise plans to implement quickly. 

Largest choice

Each bike within the store is fitted with both-pedal-assist and security lights– each authorized necessities in P.E.I.

A lot of the bikes on the store can journey as much as 80 km earlier than needing to be charged. 

“They will go a great distance. In case you bought a giant hill you need to deal with, you may simply hit the throttle and it’ll take you up the hill,” MacEachern mentioned. 

Kyle Gormley, an worker on the store, bought into e-biking just lately on account of the growing rise of inflation throughout the province. 

“As somebody who has been struggling by way of (rising) gasoline costs and all of the will increase, it’s good to have another that’s extra reasonably priced outright,” mentioned Gormley. 

There may be nothing to carry again folks from shopping for or renting an e-bike, he added. 

“We’ve bought in all probability one of the best costs so far as e-bikes are involved, and there’s actually a motorbike for everyone. I can’t consider a cause for folks to not get on one.”

-Kyle Gormley
 

McEachern says Rising Tides has one of many largest e-bike choices in Atlantic Canada, with greater than 200 bikes accessible within the retailer. 

Guidelines of the street

• E-bikes will not be permitted in public parks however may be licensed with particular permission from any provincial municipality. 

• E-bikes are allowed on the freeway, however provided that a motorbike lane is accessible or on the shoulder of the freeway if no lane is offered. 

• E-bikes are solely permitted on the Confederation Path if the driving force is working a power-assisted bicycle between April 1 and Nov. 30.
Supply: princeedwardisland.ca

It’s a fantastic feeling to personal a enterprise is making an attempt to make a distinction, MacEachern mentioned. 

“Getting out of our automobiles is a type of issues on a regular basis Canadians and Islanders can do to assist struggle (local weather change). What higher method to do it than on an e-bike?”