New north-east Bike Hub offers gear change in accessibility
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A new e-bike business to ease city centre congestion and provide greener transport solutions is set to beat the bus gates and help locals breezing through Aberdeen city’s low emission zones.
These are just two of the benefits of using an e-bike around Aberdeen according to the owner of a new cycle business Velohub which opened its doors last week at the Granite city’s beach-front.
Hailing from Inverurie, Dale Robertson of Velohub which is based at Transition Extreme near Aberdeen's beach front believes e-biking could signal a gear change in easing city centre congestion, improving fitness and mental health, and enabling companies to meet their Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) targets.
Velohub combines bicycle sales, rental opportunities and bike repairs and servicing. The business is focused primarily on electric bicycles, but with a range of adventure, gravel, dirt jump and BMX bikes also available. The company can also lease fleets of e-cargo bicycles to businesses wishing to ditch the car or van and take a bike between sites, shops or clients.
Welcoming the opening of Velohub is Bob Keiller, CEO of the Our Union Street campaign group and himself a keen e-biker who said: “I use my e-bike to travel into the city centre on week days and to cycle with friends in the countryside at the weekends. I have a commuter e-bike and I am looking forward to trying e-mountain bikes and e-road bikes from Velohub. What a superb addition to the city."
Joining Dale in his new venture is biking buddy Ian Somers from Oldmeldrum who shares Dale’s passion for all things cycling and the benefits it can bring to the individual, businesses and the environment.
Commenting on Velohub’s launch, Dale said: “At the heart of this new business is our love of all things bike related and bringing our knowledge and expertise together to help seasoned cyclists and those getting in the saddle for the first time, have the best experience.
“Attitudes to e-bikes are shifting. Hardcore cyclists who previously saw them as “cheating” are increasingly recognising that the assistance offered by an electric bike enables more people of all ages and levels of fitness to take up the sport, with all the benefits it brings. And as an alternative to the motor car or delivery van in our city centres, they can also benefit the environment.”
With electric bikes costing from £1300 upwards, Dale is confident that the opportunity to hire an e-bike before committing to purchasing one, may be an attractive option for many.
“Purchasing an e bike is a big commitment so customers may want to try before they buy,” Dale explains.
“Unlike a pay-as-you go bike rental scheme which is usually limited to the city centre, Velohub offers the opportunity for customers to hire a variety of different e-bikes – mountain bikes, gravel or touring bikes - for longer periods, allowing them to take the bike further afield and explore the excellent cycling opportunities in the region.”
Companies looking to switch from cars and vans to e-cargo bikes can lease a fleet of e-bikes through Velohub’s partnership with BikeFlex, enabling businesses to transition to greener transport and logistics solutions.
“E-cargo bikes are increasing in popularity in cities as a versatile transportation solution with zero emissions and no additional costs such as road tax or parking,” Ian says. “With a range of up to 120km on a single charge, they offer companies a great move forward in sustainability and reducing carbon emissions.”
And keeping your ride roadworthy is at the heart of Velohub’s repair and maintenance offering.
“Our team of in-house mechanics offer full servicing, diagnostics and repairs to ensure your bike performs at its best”, Dale explains. “With customer satisfaction at the heart of all we do, our vision is for Velohub to be a hub for all things bike-related and to fuel a passion for cycling that not only improves personal health and fitness but enables greener transport solutions that are ultimately kinder to the environment.”
