LEV Association - Dealer Recruitment

Pedego, is pleased to announce their US-based electric bike company that combines laid-back California styling with superior performance, for the best in comfortable rides, is now available at LEVA Member Hybrid Cycles in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Hybrid Cycles is located in West Chester, PA and is dedicated to getting the word out about the many benefits of choosing to ride an electric bike which include commuting to work, running an errand or just having fun without expending any negative impact on the environment. E-bikes are proven to be positive for the earth's air quality, a person's health and their budget. Read more!

Shipping Lithium Batteries? Inbound and outbound? Are you in compliance? Please read.

Most successful IBD- ebike seller in New England!

In the article below by Mike Wolf of Bloomfield Bikes in CT he says to be successful you need to have a variety of models of electric bikes on your showroom floor and a good sample available for test rides. This how his IBD showroom looks right now:

Mike Wolf says to forget about the rising costs of fuel and enjoy a healthier lifestyle with an Electric Bike. Read more on how to make money selling electric bikes. Click Here.

What members of the Sierra Club say: 12% or 132,000 of our 1.1 Million readers are plan buying an electric-assist bicycle! Read more.

Making Money When the Customers are Old, Fat, and Gasoline is $4 per Gallon! Check out what Ed Benjamin has to say about why it is time for American IBDs to take part in this exciting time. Click here.

By Mike Wolf of Bloomfield Bicycle and Repair Shop, Connecticut
With Mark Lynch

Imagine zipping through the mega metropolis known as New York City on an electric bike! You may want a bike that is quick and nimble, is fully outfitted with fenders and a chain guard so you can commute in your work clothes, and/or can be folded up to take on the subway or transported up stairs to your small apartment. Well if you are looking to buy an electric bike in New York City chances are you will visit NyceWheels run by Bert Cebular. Read the rest of the article at
http://www.commutebybike.com/2010/12/21/the-rise-of-the-commuter-e-bike-specialist-shop-part-1/

Back to Top

My name is Michael Hoffarth, I am the owner of Eclectic Industries a MFG rep for electric bikes and kits. Eclectic joined LEVA because we were convinced after a couple of discussions that they could help us with our immediate needs. We required help with connecting directly to our suppliers in Asia, identifying new suppliers in Asia, identifying potential salesman and other important business requirements.

It was my expectation to receive this information over 3-4 weeks. LEVA delivered big in well under my time requirements. LEVA delivers, they are connected to the experts in the bike industry, perhaps that is why they connected with me. Visit Electic Industries and check out our products, or EMCAT's our Retail on line store. Watch for new products in the spring of 2010. Eclectic, we seek out the best, and provide the best service in the nation when it comes to electric bikes and kits. We come to your store, your door with solutions that make your life easier.

Michael Hoffarth
December 14, 2010

Michael's websites are www.EclecticIndustries.com and www.Emcats.com

You probably already know there are 5 distribution channels of bicycles across the country - independent bike dealers (IBDs), mass merchants, sporting goods stores, outdoor specialty stores and others. With reference to IBDs, their bike unit sales make up just 18% of the overall total but in revenue terms, they amount to 50% of the market's total value.

Nevertheless, IBDs today have to contend with stiff competition from mass merchants and where they use to make money in terms of services, they have been squeezed as a result of today's well-made and sturdy bicycles.

In general, a 4,000 sq ft IBD store which sells 650 regular bicycle units per year at an average $500 apiece can expect to make $649,000 in revenue - split between bike sales (47.4%); parts and accessories (35.5%); repairs (10.7%) and other miscellaneous.

Suppose this same store sells ebikes and conversion kits instead, priced around $400 - $7,000. If we multiply the 650 units they might sell at the lower end of say $1,000 per unit, they would have already made the total revenue of those who only sell regular bicycles, and still with the remaining over 50% revenue stream yet to be factored in. Does that get your undivided attention as it did ours?

Read Full Article Here

Back to Top

The Rise of the Commuter and Ebike Specialist Shop (Part 1)

Pete Prebus is the guy at Electric Bike Report, a website dedicated to getting the word out about electric bikes through e-bike news, reviews, guides, and general e-bike advocacy. Pete wants to encourage more people to ride bikes by providing good info about e-bikes and all the benefits (all the time) they have over driving a car. Pete has been a long time cyclist (racer, mountain, road, cyclo-cross, commuter, bike polo, etc.) and sees the e-bike as a great way to get the non-cyclist into bike commuting as well as just having fun on a bicycle.

December 20, 2010
by LEVA Member Pete Prebus

Traditional bike shops in the US have tended to focus on recreational cycling, catering to the die-hard racer, outfitting families with bikes, and getting the college freshman on some wheels. They may have some gear and bikes that are focused on bike commuting, but is not a big deal for them.

But what about potential bike commuters who aren't necessarily crossing over from recreational cycling? They want safety and convenience, but not necessarily a strenuous workout. Electric bikes can accommodate their demand for convenience. But among many potential bike commuters, a perception persists that cycling is dangerous.

Compounding the resistance of potential bike commuters is the resistance from some of the traditional bike shops to get into electric bikes. Some of that resistance may be from the purist idea that bikes should only be pedal powered. Other shops may be unwilling to invest in developing the capacity to support the added complexity of motors, batteries, and controllers that make maintenance and repair more of a hassle. The Light Electric Vehicle Association (LEVA) is encouraging skeptical bike shops to consider getting into electric bikes as a way to diversify their products and customer base. LEVA contends that not only are e-bikes profitable, they provide seminars to help bike shops acquire the technical knowledge. Read the full article here:
http://www.commutebybike.com/2010/12/21/the-rise-of-the-commuter-e-bike-specialist-shop-part-1/

Part 2 Click Here
http://www.commutebybike.com/2010/12/28/the-rise-of-the-commuter-e-bike-specialist-shop-part-2/

Part 3 Click Here (January 20, 2011)
http://www.commutebybike.com/2011/01/19/the-rise-of-the-commuter-e-bike-specialist-shop-part-3/

Back to Top

Light Electric Vehicle Association

Want to buy an electric bike or scooter? Visit any of our member dealers here or check our member ebike companies!

Free Trial Membership for IBDs-Retailers for 90 days!

Reduced Membership Rate for IBDs is $99!

Dealers! Get your name out there so customers can find you!

USA Ebike Dealer Financing Program from LEVA Member TimePayment

LEVA Webinars Great Success!!

More planned in the future! Many thanks to presenters Mike Wolf (Bloomfield Bikes, CT), Phil Herzog (Hebb Ebikes and SmoothStone Partners), Alex Coulombe, BionX)! You can listen to the July 27, 2011 webinar here.

Pedego Electric Bikes Signs 220th Dealer in the U.S. - Opening Philadelphia on the East Coast!

Shipping Lithium Batteries? Inbound and outbound? Are you in compliance? Please read.

Most successful IBD- ebike seller in New England!