UK Electric Bike Centre has moved to Headcorn Aerodrome, where they have become a part of the site’s green strategy.
Leasing of electric bikes has taken off over the last couple of years, and having run out of room at Biddenden where they have been since being founded in 2013, they needed to find somewhere with more storage for their lease fleet, showroom and repairs centre.
Owner Marcus van der Gaag, said: “Moving to the aerodrome allows us to have more space, but also to be visible to so many more customers too.
“We are growing at a good rate, on the lease side especially, as businesses look to be more sustainable, taking advantage of grants available to offer an electric bike on lease to their staff through various cycle to work, employee wellbeing and green schemes.
“Headcorn Aerodrome also has a very clear green strategy and can link in with us to offer visitors a green vehicle option when they arrive or visit.
“It’s a short walk from the railway station too, so our recreational guests won’t need a vehicle to get there – they can walk, then hop onto one of our bikes.
“There is so much going on at Headcorn, from people visiting to see their Hurricanes and Spitfires, to others coming for the annual air show, boot fairs, or experiences such as wing-walking.
“They could add a half-day vineyard tour to their day out with us when we are based there.”
Jamie Freeman, owner of Headcorn Aerodrome, said: “We are very pleased to have Marcus and UK Electric Bike Centre moving onto the site.
“We have a green strategy that we are really pushing, because it’s important to both us, our visitors and customers.
“Electric bikes are a such a great alternative, green transport that can be used by many people and to have them here with us will be a great asset.
“It’s a great location for them too – they will have signage off the main road and be very prominent on the site, so with the large footfall we have here, we are looking forward to seeing their growth in sales and leasing.”
Marcus is hoping that electric bikes will become more familiar to people and businesses. He already has lease contracts with couriers and more recently, a City law firm, plus many businesses are signing up for employee schemes too, or booking team days out of staff treats with him.
Marcus added: “Maybe you think you’re too old for a bike, or maybe you don’t feel you have the stamina. Last year, our most senior cyclist was 89 years old, who cycled 20 miles per week!
“There are very few barriers to electric cycling, whether it’s for work or pleasure and we are keen to answer people’s questions so they can go electric with confidence.
“An e-bike motor works by automatically switching on a motor when you pedal. There are various levels of assistance, but the maximum speed is 15.5mph, or you can of course, just use it as normal pedal bike if you fancy putting a bit more effort in.”
On the business side, they offer companies various options to boost their green credentials and commitment to the environment including cycle to work schemes, bikes for staff with a tax incentive, plus the option to turn their fleet green for delivery firms and couriers.
They can also lease bikes – most recently a ‘cargo bike’ to a south coast company which has a large box on the front for their food deliveries, with a battery range of up to 60 miles.
On the leisure side, the e-bikes are also a great idea for a team building day, staff treat, client hospitality or corporate events.They hire out bikes for business or pleasure, for people looking for a fun and different day out. Self-guided vineyard tours are popular, and with the UK Staycation now ‘a thing’, weekends are getting booked up. You hire an e-bike, pick up a map, then navigate you and your group to one of the locally chosen vineyards, where you enjoy a tasting of Kent’s wonderful wine, produced from grapes grown in the county’s famous chalky soil.
Estates on the route include Hush Heath, Chapel Down, Gusbourne, Biddenden and Woodchurch.
The Old Dairy Brewery and Shepherd Neame are now on-board as tour stops too.
