Environmental Issues in
Northern Ontario
GREEN - Greater Renewable
Energy and Ecodesigns Now
Electric Bikes
Tired of escalating insurance costs,
gasoline, plates and repair costs for maintaining automobiles? Too
pooped to peddle a bicycle uphill? Sick of your auto contributing to
poor urban air quality? There is relief!
Mike Babin, owner of Arts and Ends in
downtown Sudbury on Durham, has the answer-electric bicycles!
Take to the road on sporty electric
scooters and bicycles and leave all the hassles behind! New Chinese
manufactured power-assisted bicycles have arrived here in Sudbury thanks
to Babin.
“You can travel at speeds of up to 28
km/hr., and cover a distance of 50 km or more on one charge. Re-charging
your battery can take as little as 5 hours,” said Babin. Just plug the
battery into any 110-volt outlet.
“You can help the motor out by doing some
peddling especially on hills to maximize distance before re-charges,” he
said.
“Electric bikes are fun, economical and
above all a great way to ride without effort, your electric bike is
silent so you can ride it in any campground, even one with noise
restrictions.”
Babin has a varied line-up of models.
“The 16Z and 18Z are our traditional
looking bike models, both are built for men 5 foot 10 inches and taller
with a 240 pound weight capacity.”
They come equipped with headlights,
taillights, signals, brake lights, horn, odometer and battery gauge, yet
each weighs only 84 pounds including the battery.
The Villager is more sporty. It features
cruise control, kill switch and a compass. Included are front and rear
disc brakes, 18 inch mag wheels and a 500 watt brushless motor.
For couples who like to cruise, Babin has
the Romy, featuring a long banana seat. Students will gravitate to the
Maryk as it features an under seat compartment for books and a lock box.
It has a speedometer and mirrors.
Kids must be 14 years and older to
operate an electric bike and must wear a helmet until age 18. The Steady
is geared to them. It has a 140 pound weight capacity yet only weighs 50
pounds including battery. It has 16 inch spoke wheels and can fold in
half for easy storage in boats or Rv’s.
This is Babin’s first business venture
but he has been fascinated with bicycles and their repair for years. He
services what he sells having a repair shop complete with parts in the
back of his store. Babin can order parts promptly from a warehouse in
Montreal.
“I opened up last summer and so far I
have sold about 50 electric bikes, people love them.”
For more information phone 669-1419 or
visit
www.artsandends.ca
