markcycle
10 kW
Last week end I Demoed my E bike at the AltWheels Expo, the largest alternative transportation Expo on the east coast (so they say). I was offered free booth space to Demo my bike and setup a booth (see picture below). I wasn't selling anything, just trying to spread the word, which I did.
Friday morning we set up the booth and tent. From the moment we arrived the bike drew instant attention. It was instantly clear that most everyone did not know what a E bike was. I was the only E Bike display at the Expo ( Interbike was going on concurrently), thought there was scooters and mopeds on display.
My impression was that people would buy E bikes if they were readily available. Most people didn’t want to deal with a upgrade kit.
I got the usual questions
1) How far does it go
2) How fast
3) Does it do regenerative braking (So many people asked me this question thought most didn’t really know what it meant)
4) The endless question about the weight (like it matters that much if a motor is pulling you)
5) What’s the cost
6) Is my bike for sale are you selling a bike
When I tell them it goes 22 MPH, they think that’s fast enough. A real 20 miles ( with some stop and go) is enough range, when I tell them my bike goes 50 they're impressed. I couldn't’t get a real feel as to what the people who saw the bike were willing to pay I think a 700.00 to 900.00 dollar bike would sell, 2000 and they shutter.
The key message is; On the East coast people don’t know E-Bikes exist and the industry is doing a terrible job at marketing the product. Every where I go whomever sees the bike believes they are seeing a E-Bike for the first time. Well at least 300-500 people now know what a E bike is!
Friday morning we set up the booth and tent. From the moment we arrived the bike drew instant attention. It was instantly clear that most everyone did not know what a E bike was. I was the only E Bike display at the Expo ( Interbike was going on concurrently), thought there was scooters and mopeds on display.
My impression was that people would buy E bikes if they were readily available. Most people didn’t want to deal with a upgrade kit.
I got the usual questions
1) How far does it go
2) How fast
3) Does it do regenerative braking (So many people asked me this question thought most didn’t really know what it meant)
4) The endless question about the weight (like it matters that much if a motor is pulling you)
5) What’s the cost
6) Is my bike for sale are you selling a bike
When I tell them it goes 22 MPH, they think that’s fast enough. A real 20 miles ( with some stop and go) is enough range, when I tell them my bike goes 50 they're impressed. I couldn't’t get a real feel as to what the people who saw the bike were willing to pay I think a 700.00 to 900.00 dollar bike would sell, 2000 and they shutter.
The key message is; On the East coast people don’t know E-Bikes exist and the industry is doing a terrible job at marketing the product. Every where I go whomever sees the bike believes they are seeing a E-Bike for the first time. Well at least 300-500 people now know what a E bike is!