Pam Rogow
PHEW! owner, Afshin Kaighobady stand proudly with one of his electric bikes.
By Jenna Sailer
PHILADELPHIA, PA - The current price of oil and the rising cost of gasoline are causing many people to rethink their transportation options and head in a more environmentally-friendly route. Many people are opting for public transit and bicycles for their commuting needs, but Philly Electric Wheels (PHEW!) has an option that gives the eco-conscious a little more bang for their buck.
July marked the one-year anniversary of PHEW!, and owner Afshin Kaighobady had much to celebrate. The store has the largest selection of electric bicycles in the United States. Located in the city’s leafy and progressive Mt. Airy neighborhood, the corner store has proved an ideal location to build this business - 15 minutes from downtown Philadelphia, and yet a stone’s throw from Fairmount Park.
“All kinds of people are riding electric bicycles,” Kaighobday said. “From commuters, to eco-conscious folks, to riders wanting to keep up with friends and family. We also see parents on a limited budget and, especially, people simply enjoying the pleasure of a great ride undertaken with full confidence and ease.”
Electric bicycles use approximately one penny per mile in electricity and can get up to speeds of 20 miles per hour on a single charge from a standard electric socket. That makes the electric bike a perfect transportation alternative as crude oil prices rise.
Oil and gas prices aren’t just affecting modes of transportation, but businesses as well. As oil and gas prices fluctuate, so will Kaighobady’s rent, as per the new lease that takes effect on September 1, 2010. Fortunately, Kaighobady will be content to pay more rent when the price at the pump takes a bigger bite out of peoples' bank accounts, as he expects this will encourage more people to enter into the world of e-commuting.