on Feb 16th, 2009Bikes with buzz: Retailer carves out green niche with battery power
Detroit may be the land of the automobile, but the rising cost of gasoline and state emphasis on eco-friendly technology has some Michiganians investing in a two-wheeled, rechargeable means of transportation — the electric bicycle. 
It may be the dead of winter, but this battery-powered ride is getting a warm reception here, turning the heads of preteens, 30-somethings and seniors alike who are looking for a cost-effective alternative that’ll get them to school, work or the corner store.
The outlook is good news for eCo Wheelz, a new electric bike retailer in downtown Plymouth that’s hoping to carve its niche for what they believe is an untapped market in the tri-state area. Experts say their timing is right: More Americans are looking to pinch pennies, do their part to promote green technologies and do away with the rigorous physical demand of conventional bikes.
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“Anything that gets Metro Detroiters out of cars and trucks and into more efficient modes of transportation is encouraging from both an environmental and road congestion point of view,” said Hugh McDiarmid Jr., a spokesman for the Michigan Environmental Council. “If this shop is unique and one of the first of its kind, it might represent a niche that Michigan companies and workers can fill as part of diversifying the state’s economy.”
The product — a huge commuting tool for decades in China, Europe and Japan — broke onto the scene in warm-weather states like Florida and California in the mid-90s, but just started gaining attention in Michigan over the past year.
Light Electric Vehicle Association Founder Ed Benjamin said Detroit, a flat city on the edge of water with nasty winters, has as good of a chance as any state for this market.
There are plenty of people hoping to reduce their carbon footprint and save on the cost of transportation or invest in electrics for novelty reasons.
Colleen Robbins is finding plenty of uses for the $900 electric bike she bought her preteen Chaz a couple of months ago.
The 37-year-old Canton Township resident might even use it to commute the eight miles to her job as an accountant at a local manufacturing plant or for quick errands.
“You don’t have to take a car or balance groceries on a regular bike,” she said. “You can just charge it and run up to Family Dollar or Kroger to pick up a couple things and run home.”
At first glance, most electrics aren’t much different than a regular bike. The wheels, handlebars, seat and basic frame are the same. But depending on the model, it’s the battery, motor and throttle that make the difference.
Some types have a removable 17-pound battery latched on, while newer versions have batteries built into the frame — with an outlet for charging. Riders can pedal manually or kick on the throttle, and because federal law limits electric bikes to 20 mph, they can be ridden wherever regular bikes are used, said Jeremy Panizzoli, president and co-founder of eCo Wheelz.
“As soon as people get on, they are sold,” Panizzoli said. “They are a lot of fun, easy to operate and a great alternative.”
Although eCo Wheelz declined to site specific sales figures, in their first few months they said in-store and online purchases have steadily increased. [ More.. ]
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