E-bikes Are Changing The Way Companies Do Business

Everyday e-bikes are increasing in popularity and with sales starting to skyrocket past traditional bicycles, and they will soon be the standard for bike enthusiasts and that popularity is also being embraced by businesses positively incorporating e-bikes.

It should come as no surprise that e-bikes are a far more environmentally friendly and affordable transportation method for burgeoning businesses. According to a study conducted by MIT, e-bikes are 18 times more efficient than an SUV and nearly equally as efficient as a standard bicycle. In addition to being energy efficient, choosing e-bikes over motor vehicles would decrease congestion on roads and limit the amount of greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions. Studies show that e-bikes, on average, consume less than 2 kWh every 100 km. That’s about 1/10 the amount used by an electric car. 

But e-bikes are more than just a means of sustainable transportation. Today, these machines are responsible for creating all manner of new business opportunities in sectors such as tourism and delivery services. 

Between 2019 and 2020 e-bike sales increased by 145%. And sales don’t appear to be slowing any time soon. From food and laundry delivery to energy-efficient wine tours, here ere are three future-facing companies who’ve successfully incorporated e-bikes into their business and are now reaping the benefits.

MountNbarreL Tours

MountNbarreL Tours offers scenic wine tours along the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon. The company has always offered wine tours via bicycle, but after implementing Tern e-bikes into its tours, the business couldn’t be better. The e-bikes used by MountNbarreL are adjustable to accommodate wine lovers of varying heights. They are also foldable, making them easier to transport. When using traditional bicycles, riders would often get tired during the tour and would need the company shuttle to pick them up. With e-bikes, riders can handle hilltop destinations with ease, allowing MountNbarreL to save time, gas, and money. Not only have the e-bikes been good for business, but customers have also fallen in love, with several inquiring about getting their own bike after each tour.

Bicycles have long been an efficient and low-cost alternative to delivery by motor vehicle, especially in dense cities where it is easier to move around on two wheels. But, the e-bike revolution has resulted in exponential growth in this area including delivering all manner of goods and services.

Laundryheap

Laundryheap delivers laundry and dry cleaning to customers within 24 hours in several countries across the world. To accomplish this promise, the company recently invested over $3US million in EAV e-bikes called EAV2Cubed. By implementing e-bikes, Laundryheap can navigate around cities almost twice as fast, all while making them a more carbon-neutral business. 

Freddie’s Flowers

This London-based floral delivery business is not unlike any other flower business in the UK capital. What sets them apart is that instead of pollution-spewing delivery vans that clog downtown streets and cost a fortune in parking, maintenance, and fuel, Freddie’s Flowers got smart and purchased a fleet of Dutch-built Urban Arrow electric cargo bikes. Now, it has become so efficient at delivering its long-stemmed beauties that it allows its delivery team to work regular 9-5 hours instead of having to begin the day at 4 a.m.
The company switched to a bike-taxi service to deliver to the inner core of London because using vans made it almost impossible, then decided to jump in with both feet.

Domino’s

And, it’s not just small companies that are embracing e-bikes. 
E-bikes are common in the food delivery sector. And with third-party apps like Uber and SkipTheDishes already using them, Domino’s knew they had to get on board if they wanted to stay competitive.

The popular pizza chain found that using e-bikes improved the overall delivery process. In addition to the obvious benefits, the bikes allow Domino’s to hire from a wider pool of potential candidates since a driver’s license is not currently required to operate an e-bike.

Bicycles have been used for years as a means to expertly navigate around traffic and deliver food quickly. But all that riding takes a toll on the delivery rider. E-bikes boast the same benefits as bicycles without all the wear and tear on the rider’s body.

Businesses are using e-bikes to lower their carbon footprint, improve employee work conditions, and in many cases increase the overall efficiency of services provided. Between the various environmental benefits and increasing popularity, it’s clear that e-bikes have solidified a place in our future.