About Electric Bikes NW
The Company
Established in 1996, Electric Vehicles NW, Inc. has evolved into two entities:
While having years of LEV (light electric vehicle) experience we are above all life long cyclists. Our electric bikes are designed to be as bicycle-akin as possible and appeal to those who love bicycle riding and regard agreeable pedalling as a pleasure not a chore.
We enjoy the privilege of working closely with world class manufacturers and hope to continue to assist in bringing outstanding value bikes to the North American market.
Seattle is, according to Google, the #1 spot for electric bike interest in the U.S.
Our Northwest store is located in Seattle, WA (www.ci.seattle.wa.us). After six years in formerly funky Fremont we moved to brawny booming Ballard on February 1, 2008.
San Diego is, according to Google, the #8 spot for electric bike interest in the U.S.
Our first Southern California store is located in Oceanside, CA (www.ci.oceanside.ca.us) some 30 miles North of San Diego.
Soon to open its doors: Our LA store in El Segundo.
We also ship checked and prepped bikes throughout the U.S. from our Seattle service center and warehouse. Please check Pricing and product pages for specifics.
Products and Services
Human Power-augmented or Electric-assisted Bikes
We are not an electric vehicle shop or even a light electric vehicle shop. We sell only electric-assisted bicycles as defined by state and and federal laws. These bikes are as much about bicycling and human power augmentation as about electric propulsion. One of the most fascinating and promising areas to us is to develop vehicles built with human power as an integral design component. In our view an electric bike must ride and handle like a pedal-only bicycle (be it unavoidably heavier), including being conducive to pedalling also in power-off mode.
Folding Bikes
We are in the business of offering the cyclist the means of cycling more often, for expanded purposes and more agreeably. While of course preferred by some cyclists for some rides the full-sized, non-folding bicycle cannot be brought, parked safely and stored where the compact folder can. In instances the folder will make it possible for a person to remain a cyclist rather than having to get behind the steering wheel. Today's modern folder is a marvel of ridability and crisp, predictable foldability. It suits a wide range of riders and rides.
Test Rides
Come in, test ride and compare in our Seattle, WA and Oceanside, CA stores. If you can't test ride we shall be glad to thoroughly explore over the phone and email whether one of our bikes is likely to meet your expectations. We ship eZees, Bromptons and Birdys.
Service and Support
Our service departments bring extensive bicycle and electric drive system experience to the job and take great pride in their work. Our primary focus is on assuring first class, prompt service and long term support for all of our own bike customers whether near or far from our stores.
How to place an order
As we have chosen to offer online shopping for only a few products you are invited to call 206/547-4621 or 800/940-6548 and talk to an experienced product person, who also rides the bikes we sell him/herself. If you have the time to talk to us we have the time to talk with you. Most credit cards accepted.
Please check Assembly and Shipping and Company Policy prior to placing an order.
Oceanside, CA
Our Oceanside (30 miles North of San Diego) CA store is located between
Pacific Coast Highway and the fabulous beach in a neighborhood well
suited for test rides.
We always suspected that a dedicated electric and folding bike store in
Oceanside would serve Southern California customers well. Since Tia
Tadema took over as manager the place is positively hopping with
customers from near and afar. While shown here on a Brompton Tia
commutes on her eZee Sprint.
Tia displays a genuine interest in her customers and their needs that may not always be associated with hawking bicycles. Actually whatever she takes on consistently brings joy and abundance—ranging from the bike shop to her garden.
Dick Anson works as an adviser on ebikes and other small electric vehicles (including providing support to major manufacturers and dealers on sales, service, support and business issues). Fortunately for us Dick regularly spends time in Oceanside and his broad industry knowhow is as valuable as his hands-on skills for servicing propulsion system componentry.
Seattle, WA
Here's a photo of Cara Keenan, our delightful and splendid accountant.
While you may have read elsewhere on this web site that "we
enthusiastically ride ourselves the bikes we sell" this does not apply
to the otherwise faultless Cara, which her facial expression politely
but emphatically makes clear ('Hey, why do I have to be photographed on
this whatever it is thing?').
Gary Colson handles assembly, assists with service and sales. His
interests and skills are numerous, including bikes, motorcycles,
photography (no, he did not take this photo) and wilderness treks. We
are grateful for the uncharacteristic lapse of judgement on his part
resulting in him coming to work for us. Gary usually does his 24 mile
round trip commute on his Giant road or eZee electric bike.
David Hawkins is in over all charge of product support and service. The
bicycle industry regards him as an highly skilled and creative mechanic.
Since joining Electric Bikes Northwest five years ago David has earned a
similar reputation as far as electric bike drive systems. A native of
Indianapolis, he enjoyed some years on California's Mendocino coast
before moving to Seattle. David is also a musician, former bicycle racer
and inventor (www. brakedirector. com). He enthusiastically rides one of his many custom road and electric bikes on commutes and on tours.
Eric Sundin founded Electric Bikes Northwest in 1996 as a result of a
strong personal interest in bicycling, health, environment, sustainable
transportation and electric propulsion. As the human power augmented
a.k.a electric bike industry evolved in the U.S. he has found himself
involved in most aspects of the industry. Eric's goal of bringing highly
accomplished, well-supported bikes to the U.S. market has largely been
realized through a close cooperation with in particular Giant Bicycle
Company and eZee Kinetic Technology Company. In 2003 he started Folding
Bikes West, which has seen high customer satisfaction and encouraging
growth as well. Whether in the Northwest and Southern California Eric enthusiastically
rides one of his folding or electric bikes near daily.
Copyright © 2006 Folding Bikes West
