Rush Electric Bikes is a brand new business hiring out electric bicycles in Weymouth.
It began trading just days ago, when owner Kathy Stewart decided it was time to dip a toe into the market before a formal launch later in the year
Kathy, aided by her three daughters, Melissa (22), Felicity (20) and Amy-Angela (18), is currently based at The Palm House, a refurbished Edwardian glasshouse. It’s only a moment’s walk from the railway station and town centre hotels, an ideal location for people wanting to pick up and return their electric bikes.
(Photo: Melissa, Amy-Angela and Kathy Stewart).
With a background in hospitality and hotel project management in the UK and USA, Kathy is familiar with the tourism and leisure industries. But her decision to create a bicycle hire business, using start-of-the-art electrically powered models, is a new direction.
Making cycling easier for everyone
“I first saw electric bikes in Spain, three years ago,” said Kathy, “and I thought, ‘If only we’d had one when the children were younger.’” She immediately spotted the potential of a light-weight, fun form of transport that made recreational cycling more accessible.
The bikes can travel for over 50 miles before they need recharging, using a conventional power socket. The rider controls if and when the motor engages, allowing them to get the benefits of cycling without the worry of how they’ll climb the Dorset hills.
Electric bikes can be used by anyone over 14 and there’s no need for a licence.
The Olympic potential of electric bikes
Kathy chose to bring her new business to Weymouth because she felt it would appeal to visitors, and could receive an early boost from the 2012 Olympics.
Weymouth and Portland will be packed with visitors next summer. Tourists, sailing enthusiasts, athletes, officials, sponsors, local businesses and the media will be jostling for position on the area’s roads. Jumping onto a hired electric bike could allow people to cut their way through the traffic and arrive on time without getting hot and bothered.
It’s very early days for Kathy and her enthusiastic team of daughters, one of whom is training as a bicycle mechanic. Another will be handling the marketing side of the business, which will include a strong emphasis on social media.
Initial feedback from the first customers of Rush Electric Bikes has been extremely positive. The opening lines of the story of Kathy’s new business promise an exciting tale over the months ahead.
Update: you can now follow Rush Electric Bikes on Twitter @RushEbikes
