on Sep 15th, 2008Bridgeton news - Randy’s carries electric bicycle
Randy’s carries electric bicycle
BRIDGETON - Count Randy Colle among those caught up in the “green” frenzy.
The owner of Randy’s General Store & Bike Shop recently introduced I-Zip’s hybrid electric bicycles to the store’s ever-growing lineup.
The Chatsworth, California-based bike company’s slogan is “Clean. Green. No Gasoline.”
“I’m excited. I like bringing new products to my customers,” Colle said.
While I-Zip sells 12 different models, its bikes come in two basic electric-motor-propelled styles - twist-and-go and pedal-assisted.
Depending on the rider’s weight and the grade of the roadway or off-road trail, the bikes will go as fast as 18 to 20 mph without pedaling, according to Colle, and a fully charged battery will last for up to 25 miles.
As Colle stepped out front of his downtown Bridgeton store Thursday afternoon to show off his newest product, one of his first I-Zip customers came pedaling up.
Well, he was actually coasting.
“It’s the lazy man’s bike,” South Avenue resident Roscoe Lewis said, showing off his new bike to some city kids.
Lewis loves his new I-Zip Street Enlightened.
“It pushes you right up the hills,” he said. “It’s a beautiful bike. Good ride. I wouldn’t trade it. … I like this a lot more than my racing bike.”
The HG 1000 model basically is a moped with pedals, but, unlike the traditional moped, it runs on electric, not gas.
The first I-Zip Colle sold was to a deliveryman from Fu Leen Meng Chinese restaurant, located across East Commerce Street from Randy’s.
The deliveryman doesn’t like to drive a car to make his deliveries, especially with gas prices as high as they are, but also had tired of riding a traditional bike. Throw in a handlebar basket and a rear lock box, and he was sold on the HG 1000.
The store currently has three I-Zip bikes in stock - the HG 1000, the Via Mezza, which folds up, and the Urban Cruiser.
Randy’s sells the bikes for an average of about $1,000, with some models a little cheaper, some a little more expensive.
Colle can special order I-Zip bikes, but cautioned that delivery could take up to three weeks.
Colle learned on Thursday that Vineland’s Beacon bike shop will close its doors after nearly 80 years in business.
“We want to fill the void,” he said.
Randy’s currently has about 85 different bikes in stock, ranging from mountain bikes to cruisers to BMX bikes, from brand names like GT, Mongoose and Schwinn.
To check out Randy’s bike inventory, stop by the store at 84 E. Commerce St. or visit www.randysgeneralstore.com.
To learn more about I-Zip, visit www.izipusa.com.