About Electric Bikes NW
Our store is located in Seattle's Ballard area
Photo: Brian Gregory
We strive to provide an informative, unhurried and enjoyable sales environment. If uncertain you are welcome to come in several times and test ride several times over varied terrain and distance. We'll even go riding with you if you so prefer.
We don't offer much in the way of in your face marketing, way too friendly staff, confounding specials, canned sales talk, cheesy promotions and free trinkets. You won't find us on social network sites. Neither do we blog but our web site is updated near daily.
We shall be glad to discuss the makes and models currently offered. As to the merits of brands not carried it is not for us to express an opinion.
Thousands of customers since 1996 tell us how they have benefited from seeing and test riding our several makes and models in our brick and mortar store and enjoying the assurance of committed and preferential ongoing support by our experienced service department.
Our Company
Established in 1996 Electric Vehicles Northwest, Inc has evolved into two entities:
Electric Bikes Northwest
and
Folding Bikes West
We are not an electric vehicle shop or even a light electric vehicle shop. While having electric drive system background we are above all life long cyclists. Our electric bikes are designed to be as bicycle akin as possible and appeal to those among us who love bicycle riding and regard agreeable pedaling as a privilege not a chore. The only electric 'vehicle' we sell and service is the electric 'bicycle'.
We appreciate the opportunities over the years to work closely with leading manufacturers and hope to continue to assist in bringing highly accomplished bikes of great value to the U.S. market.
Products and Services
Human Power-augmented or Electric-assisted Bikes
We sell only electric bicycles, which comply with the definitions of 'electric-assisted bicycle' or 'motorized bicycle' by state and federal laws. These bikes are as much about bicycling and human power augmentation as about electric propulsion. Our focus is on the highly efficient and intuitive pedal activated, torque sensing models. In our view an electric bike must ride and handle like a pedal-only bicycle (be it unavoidably heavier), including being conducive to agreeable pedaling also in power-off mode.
Adaptable Power Systems, a.k.a. Electric Bike Kits
Since 1996 we have sold and installed eight brands of kits. At this time we sell and install selectively 36V/400W kits for around $1,200 and and 48V/500W kits for around $1,500.
Folding Bikes
The high end folders we offer are marvels of predictable, quick foldability but equally so of crisp ridability. Some of our customers (and us) bought their folders as much for how they ride and look. Our folders suit a wide range of riders and rides: Some of our customers ride a few urban miles, while others tour Africa, Latin America, the U.S. and Europe.
Push Scooters
Our customers are finding riding and owning this gorgeously made in the U.S.A push scooter a unique and thoroughly enjoyable experience.
Test Rides
Who would buy a bike without test riding it first? Our Seattle shop is located in somewhat 'bicycle friendly' Ballard. Come in, test ride and compare! Crisp, stylish loaner helmets provided or bring your own of course.
Product Support, Service and Parts
If you bought your bike from us you can count on us, since 1996, to support it well. Our Seattle service department is staffed to preferentially support our own bike customers with advice, service, repairs and parts and to do so promptly, flexibly and affordably.
Shipping
Please see our Shipping page.
Pricing
For prices see the specific brand pages. Visitors to our Seattle store will always, i.e. 'always', find in-store deals as well. Our bikes are sold expertly assembled, tuned and adjusted and come with a free 'new bike service' (within 90 days) and preferential ongoing support and service—and are typically priced no higher than an Internet purchased bike that lands unassembled (and subject to shipping damage and warranty validation) on a customer's doorsteps.
Returns
Please see our Returns page.
How to place an order
We invite you to visit our store, phone or email us. We are one of the last Internet shopping cart-free sanctuaries.
Our Seattle Staff
David Hawkins is our thoroughly experienced service manager and amazingly skilled lead mechanic without whom our level of tech support
would not be possible. His knowledge of bicycles is encyclopedic. (He is
also the inventor of the Brake Director: Come in and test ride in our
Seattle store). How David gets to work: Riding his 5 mile one way
Seattle commute on either one of his high end road or electric bikes.
Gary Colson focuses on bike assembly and tune ups. Only a bike well
assembled by an experienced and meticulous technician like Gary shall
prove safe, enjoyable to ride and durable. How Gary gets to work: On his
14 mile commute one way from Edmonds alternating between his pedal-only,
electric and motor bikes.
David 'DJ' Johnson joined us recently to focus on electric drive
systems. His background in electrical engineering studies, work as an
automotive mechanic and office machine service manager combines with a
strong hobby interest in bicycles. How DJ gets to work: Commuting by
'company car', i.e. an electric bike, the 13 mile one way from hilly
West Seattle.
Cara Keenan, our accountant, is displaying prudent reserve about being
mentioned on this page. Photo is omitted as she does not want to run the
risk of being recognized as someone affiliated with a business offering
vehicles without tail pipes and less than four wheels. How Cara gets to
work: Driving her SUV (albeit neither huge or gleaming). Diversity is
Strength, we hope.
While Eric writes and takes full responsibility ('The bike stops here!')
for all web site content our company is privileged to have the long time
services of Victor Munoz, a brilliant web master, philosopher and
electric vehicle hobbyist. How Victor gets to work: He works from home.
Eric Sundin started Electric Bikes Northwest in 1996 and still comes in
to the shop six days a week. It is believed that most other persons who
have been involved in such quaint a pursuit that long are either dead or
locked away. How Eric gets to work: On a steep 3 mile one way Seattle
commute alternating between his electric and folding bikes and
occasionally walking.
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