E-bike sales are surging, say Yukon retailers

Extra folks than ever in Whitehorse are utilizing e-bikes, in accordance with retailers.

Icycle Sports activities is promoting these units — electrically powered bicycles which nonetheless have pedals but in addition include a chargeable battery — thrice as a lot this yr in comparison with final yr, stated gross sales supervisor Malcolm Mills.

The rise in curiosity this yr has been “enormous,” Mills wrote in an e mail.

Mills stated the bikes aren’t solely promoting to avid cyclists. He stated they’re proving common with individuals who have accidents or power well being circumstances who can use assist getting up hills.

“We’re seeing those who haven’t been concerned in biking for 10 or extra years returning as a result of e-bikes,” he stated.

The development is not solely in Yukon.

File gross sales of e-bikes have been recorded in Canada this yr. One issue retailers point out is the COVID-19 pandemic, which has folks avoiding carpooling and public transit. 

Dean Eyre of Cadence Cycle in Whitehorse stated there was extra curiosity in child-carrying bikes and cargo bikes particularly.  “I really feel like we’re simply on the sting of the bubble. We have seen a major uptick, however I believe we have not [begun] to scratch the potential,” he stated, referring to e-bikes. 

Eyre stated it is laborious to guess what number of e-bikes are in Yukon as many individuals are shopping for by mail as a substitute of native retailers. 

This consists of conversion kits which add an engine to traditional bicycles.

Listers Motor Sports activities in Whitehorse started carrying e-bikes a yr and a half in the past along with its common product vary of snowmobiles, dust bikes, bikes, all-terrain autos (ATVs) and different leisure autos.

The shop stated it is bought greater than 50 e-bikes to date. 

“That is our fourth truckload, so we have accomplished pretty nicely with them,” stated gross sales supervisor Spencer Edelman. 

Edelman stated electrical bikes aren’t solely common with commuters. He stated Yukon hunters are displaying curiosity as a result of the bikes are much more quiet than ATVs, and that is helpful for approaching wild sport.

Bagel supply on two wheels

One Whitehorse enterprise that makes use of an e-bike is Bullet Gap Bagels. 

Co-owner Adrian Burrill has been making day by day deliveries from Horwoods Mall to the Wykes’ Your Unbiased Grocer

As of late he makes use of an electrical cargo bike and generally carries two massive crates on racks in addition to a trailer filled with baked items.

“We will match an entire lot of bagels on right here. It is improbable for getting round city,” he stated. 

Displacing the usage of automobiles

Advocates for e-bikes say they assist cut back emissions and gridlock.

Richard Legner has been utilizing a cargo e-bike and stated it is displaced the usage of his automobile, no less than whereas the climate is heat. 

“I picked it up this spring in early Might and I’ve not used the automobile in any respect on the town since I purchased the bike,” he stated. 

Legner stated utilizing a cargo bike has modified his buying habits as nicely, as he tends to go extra usually to completely different shops reasonably than fill up for one-and-done buying at large shops.

The geography of Whitehorse is probably one purpose e-bikes are proving common. 

Sarah McPhee-Knowles has been utilizing an electrically-powered, fat-tire bike to hold her daughter residence from daycare going up a prolonged incline referred to as Two Mile Hill.

“For taking her to daycare it is labored very well. My husband drops her off on his typical bike, and I choose her up on the finish of the day. She weighs about 28 kilos so with the ability to have the e-bike and just a little little bit of help makes it so much simpler,” she stated.