When British e-bike vanguard and manufacturer, Powabyke, opened up for business in 1999, skepticism abound about the look and feel of their product lines and even about their sanity — in venturing into this little known sector.

Undeterred, they worked doubly hard to make their products’ potential known. During the next four years, their focus was — tweaking, improving and refining their designs; establishing a “second to none” dealer support package and dealer network as well as to create incentives to attract new customers.

Then, in 2003, things started to turn around for them, so much so they could even spread their wings far and wide.

How far?

As far as Germany in 2008. This was a logical European kick-off point into the expanding local and Dutch markets, which quadrupled over 2006 – 2009.

Then it was off to tightly legislated Sweden and Ireland in 2010 and lately into Denmark – where the electric cycle market stood at 20,000 units last year.

Where their expertise was concerned, theirs was a melding pot of talents – UK design, Japanese battery cells, Californian electric motor design and German assembly. Among their offerings is ‘plug and play’ electrics ‘demanded’ by their dealers to save significant amount of workshop time by easing the analysis and thus, the servicing to put a bike back on the road.

Another innovation from the company is their ‘Park and Charge’ initiative which provide secure parking and charging bays for e-bikes and scooters, which can fully recharge in less than 4 hours and costs pennies. In fact, a slew of recharge points, for electric vehicles, bikes and scooters, can be found throughout London and the UK via this website.

Yet, there is still much work to be done in the UK market as despite its many dedicated e-bike manufacturers and suppliers, there is still a dearth of local dealers who are confident that the products’ blemished past — poor quality, high returns and complex maintenance — are behind them.

Nonetheless, the culture is growing in numbers in other European countries such as Germany and the Netherlands. In the former, there is strong government involvement to help raise awareness; opportunities to educate and appeal to a wider audience e.g. with events and trial runs; and to legislate for high safety and industrial standards.

So for Powabyke, the rough ride has become a lot sweeter as it grows its products and services, from continent to continent and from strength to strength. At the last count, their total sales stood at an impressive 35,000 units and growing.