By David MacDonald T here’s been an explosion of North American com- panies producing electric bikes in the last five or six years,” Clyde explained to me through his budding Maple-Kiwi accent. “When I was moving to Canada back in 2010, the opportunity was presented to me to start Pedego Canada through my brother back in New Zealand. He was designing and importing electric bikes long before the craze began in the West. He designed the Pedego Stretch, actually, which, among its many uses, is a great delivery bike. The Stretch is a perfect example of the versatility of the product. The wide range of uses for electric bikes is starting to push more and more companies into this market – and that’s exciting.” The Ford Motor Company even partnered with Pedego and world renowned bicycle architect Tony Ellsworth to create the Ford Super Cruiser e-bike, a triumph of form and function. According to Pedegoelectricbikes.ca, this high-performance bike “fits Ford’s required key design elements: sleek styling and a sporty feel that make riding fun, whether you’re seeking adventure or running errands around town.” “The wide range of uses for electric bikes is starting to push more and more companies into this market – and that’s exciting.”
design elements of Pedego’s 17 other models in the Inter- ceptor, City Commuter, Boomerang, Comfort Cruiser, Ridge Rider, Latch, Stretch, and Speciality classes, his answer captured the essence of what a bike, electric or not, should be for everyone: “It’s all about fun.” “We know that whatever they’re used for, the rider is having fun. There are businesses that use Pedegos like the Stretch with its adjustable back, front, and side racks for hauling cargo. There are commuters riding 20 kilome- tres to and from work, five days a week at 30-plus kilo- meters per hour on the Kevlar-belted tires that make the Step-Thru or Classic City Commuter so reliable. There are
When I asked Clyde if he could briefly summarize the key
“An efficient solution to overcrowded roads and pollution.”
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SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS • NOVEMBER 2016
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