Where Can I Try Out Electric Bikes?
There a number of specialist retailers in the UK who are happy for you to try out electric bikes at their premises:
50 Cycles 0800 0288116
Test ride centres at Richmond Park and Loughborough.
Atmosphere Electric Bikes 0117 9087153
Demo areas at Bristol and Coventry.
Cycle Heaven 01904 636578 / 651870
Stock several brands of quality electric bike in York.
Cyclesense 01937 844068
Range of demonstration models available to try out in very quiet conditions (subject to weather!) at Cyclesense’s Thorp Arch site in Yorkshire.
E-Bikes Direct 01580 830959 and 0207 7207973
Test facilities at Bodiam, East Sussex and Battersea, London.
Electric Cycle Company 0131 552 0999
Demonstrator models and electric bike hire at Granton, Edinburgh.
Electric Mountain Bikes 01751 432936
Experienced electric mountain-biker Steve Punchard offers a range of kits and bikes at Kirkbymoorside in the North Yorks Moors. Try-outs by prior arrangement.
Electric Transport Shop sales@TETS.biz
0117 955 2271 01223 247410 0207 4822892 01865 243937
A chain of shops with outlets in Bristol, Cambridge, London and Oxford.
Kinetics 0141 0141 942 2552
Long-established shop run by very knowledgable owner Ben Cooper in Bearsden, Glasgow.
OnBike 07944 636080 / 01299 251514
A wide range of makes on offer at shops in Presteigne and Kidderminster.
Raleigh’s dealer network
Visit the website to book a free test ride at one of 57 local dealers.
Velospeed 01635 579304
Daum, E-motion, GoCycle and Velospeed electric bikes at Aldworth in Berkshire.
US and Canadian readers might like to try:
Electric Wheels Northwest 206 5474621
Store in Seattle, Oregon.
Nyce Wheels (800) 6923943
New York city store.
Grin Technologies 604 5690902
Specialists in kits located in Vancouver, Canada.
Events & Shows
Cycle Show
Premier UK showcase for all things cycling. 2011 show at NEC Birmingham 29 September – 2 October (first day trade only, otherwise open to all). Huge number of stands. Try out facilities. Favourite launch pad for new products. Presentations from industry experts and cycling celebs.
Eurobike
A trade show with a huge range of exhibitors from around the world. The electric bike area has grown year by year and the test track is incredibly popular. Usually held in early October each year.
SPEZI
Annual show of all kinds of ‘special’ bikes, including electric ones. Held each spring in Gemersheim, Germany.
The Tour de Presteigne
Tour de Presteigne
The self-styled ‘world’s premier electric bike race’ seems to have become an annual fixture in this small town on the Welsh border. Hill-climbs, races, exhibitors and try-outs and lots more.
[From pages 238-239 of the book]
