We sell and service Human Power Augmented a.k.a. Electric bikes and ride them enthusiastically ourselves. See also our folding bikes at Folding Bikes West.
We invite you to visit our store, phone or email us. We are one of the last Internet shopping cart-free sanctuaries.
Electric Bikes Northwest
4810 17th Ave NW
Seattle, WA 98107 - Map
ph: 206/547-4621
Email form
Summer Hours:
Monday thru Friday: 11–6
Saturday: 11–4
When it comes to transportation in the U.S. the bicycle is rarely considered a serious option while in highly developed countries such as Belgium, Denmark, Holland, Japan, Norway and Sweden (as well as in a small number of U.S. communities) the bicycle is used to get around by a fair percentage of “mainstream” individuals. When factual information about such widespread, actual use is brought in to the U.S. “debate” it is usually impatiently dismissed.
Those who bring up such facts are often chastised for not being “realistic” and “practical”. There are some 800 million cars and light trucks (of which the U.S., with 4% of the world's population, owns about one third) in the world today. Rather ought not the glaring concern be whether all these vehicles (with more being rapidly added) constitute a “realistic” and “practical” manner in which to transport ourselves, and taking care of the planet, its resources, and future generations?
Even those dismissive of the bicycle's role in transportation may concede that the lowly bicycle is affordable, highly efficient, needing only minimal maintenance and space, is benign to the environment, promotes health and fitness, does not require foreign wars to fuel it (although these days can we be assured?), is easy to park etc. Those of us with firsthand and recent experience would also above all add: Deeply enjoyable to ride.
If a person believes that wearing a bike helmet flattens hairdos beyond what Fashion dictates, that bicycling suggests financial failure, that all travel must be undertaken in a glass and metal bubble (of 25 times the weight of the rider and 1,000 times the power of his or her legs), that there is not time enough to bicycle, that it is not safe etc. -- then presumably the matter shall rest there. These assumptions may, on the other hand, be nothing but feeble excuses why the same vehicle that remains treasured by many Americans for recreation is frowned upon for transportation (even for short distances, on moderate terrain and with light loads).
But what if we are reluctant to bicycle simply because we find hills too taxing, that perspiration is not acceptable for arriving to certain appointments, that we cannot seem to stick to pedaling or we assume that with age biking cannot possibly be as joyous as it was when we were children or young adults? In such event, here is the great news:
The electric bike lets us glide up moderate hills. It lets us decide, at any and each moment, whether we want to pedal hard or lightly (or anywhere on a continuum in between). It provides the option of arriving at a destination crisp and presentable. We find that we happily stick to biking and look forward to our next ride. All this plus the lightness, ease, and pure fun of childhood riding is put back into biking when we partner with a quiet, strong, small and light electric motor.
Even in our automobile society there are actually millions of us who bicycle. The advent of the electric bike has made it even more enjoyable to ride and to do so regularly. More and more of those who are reluctant to pedal are no longer so. We treasure the elation that the blending of human and electric power bestows. A deeply satisfying experience awaits you. Why not give yourself the chance to find out?
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