The E-Bike Industry
Welcome to the future mode of transport - the e-bike
We sat with Brian Sinclair, Founder and Entrepreneur of Blade Bikes to learn about the industry and the future of E-Bikes in australia.
How often have I heard comments about how do we get from here to there or A to B.?
No, I am not afraid to say this. E-bikes are going to play a huge part in our immediate future and my purpose is to maybe open your mind to the future. The future of leisure, the future of recreational pursuit and, for the next decade I believe at least, the future of a mode of transport (however, now often mocked and rarely respected).
E- Bike Definition
Yes, the humble Electric Bicycle.
America, 1895 and one of the first E-bike patents is awarded to Mr. Ogden Bolton Jr. for a battery powered bicycle that had its hub motor mounted inside the rear wheel and a battery sitting inside the main triangle of the frame, which is not too different in concept to the electric bike we see today. Strange that, hey Ogden. Well done my son!!
For the most part cycling has been seen as a recreational activity rather than a very legitimate means of transportation. And to be honest it is not hard to understand. As my Italian counterparts would scream lavoro faticoso. Cycling is hard Yakka , especially if the end game is more than say 30 minutes away or involves schlepping uphills. This is a big turn-off for commuters, no one wants the hassle of changing or showering after reaching their destination.
But all that is changing, all be it slowly, but changing it is. Not soon enough for me.
The reason for this growth is several innovations aimed at making cycling safer, faster, easier, and more convenient. But of all the different bicycle-related technologies, the one making the biggest impact is electrification; the e-bike. So, what can we do, how do we make it this invention a groovy e-bike work for us in a way that changes our lives, positively?
As discussed, one of the biggest appeals of e-bikes is the ability to make cycling less of a physical effort due to the battery assist. This removes all the physical barriers such as laboured acceleration, tough uphill pedalling, weight limitations, and most importantly slow speeds. And the result is absolute enjoyment along with measurable improved health outcomes and a reason to fall in love with your surroundings. You can hit the beach, ride up hills, attack the snow. Finally, because of the e-bike there is an opportunity for you to do the trails everyone talks about.
So, now I want to make you think.
There is a passion that exists in me that I would love to pass to you, I would love to get you step outside the square. You know, regardless of your age or state of health, you can build a powerful opportunity that will give you a renewed passion for everything outdoors. Bigtime – believe me.
How do I know? you ask.
I just know.
In 2015 I am like most people; I am giving the whole 9 yards in corporate land and BANG!! I have a stroke. No warning that a stroke was looming as I slept….it just hit me. Whilst I recovered, I wondered how was I ever going to prevent this near death experience from happening again? My cardio specialist says “ get on yer bike”. So I did, literally and with a passion I never knew existed.
Today I’m in the business of selling adventures, new experiences and creating valuable memories. I create products that allow wonderment to happen and a second chance at seeing the world through young eyes. My aim is that we all become a new community, likeminded, rich in experience and outcomes.
Ok, E-bike in place? Yes! Plan in place? Yes! Reason for the ride? Yes!
My goal is to give you a goal. We want to help you create the ultimate bike ride. Effortless, easy, enjoyable, and completely functional with real outcomes. I want to bring very e-bike rider together, where they can enjoy their mutual passions and where the art of conversation is king. I truly believe together we can create a brand-new community of likeminded people who are rediscovering a new way of life related to this inanimate object aside your legs. The e-bike.
Having infrastructure to support e-bike activities is crucial to building these communities within the city or remote regions. My aim is to provide the systems that allow this kind of activity to prosper all over Australia. Small business, local governments and regional communities will prosper from additional revenues and increased traffic through the e-bike hub operation.
Another key advantage for creating e-bike hubs / communities, is charging station networks. E-bikes do not need elaborate systems for them to be a completely viable mode of transportation. Strategically placed charge points can provide battery power needed to ensure any e-bike rider will never run short on their planned journey. These charge networks will create a new community of environmentally friendly transport stops.
For most e-bikes, charging merely requires plugging the battery into a standard power socket — which is the same as charging your iPhone. A charging station infrastructure allows the e-bike to penetrate different city, towns, and regions at a much faster pace.
Therefore, the ebike ( with the ebike battery ) will be the one to usher in the age of battery-powered transportation, and not the Tesla Model 3 or some other electric car. There will come a time when electric cars become the dominant form of transportation, but at least for the next decade I believe, the e-bike will lead the race.
Till next time, ride well. Be safe. Oh, and please remember.