An electric bike company owner is pedalling his passion for alternative modes of transport as he aims to shift the narrative on how they are perceived in the community.
Daniel Whiting has become instrumental in the Australian e-bike industry, and it all started with one bike in 2014.
Based at Baringa, VelectriX began as a family-owned business and has grown into a leading Australian brand, prioritising safety and compliance, with more than 40,000 electric bikes sold.
At the core of VelectriX is to make cycling accessible and enjoyable for everyone regardless of age, experience or destination.
Mr Whiting said e-bikes were designed to provide an alternative mode of transport, but underage or dangerous riding and non-compliant bikes had since placed a negative connotation on them.
He hopes to remind people that e-bikes, when compliant and used in accordance with road rules and legislation, can be an effective way to travel.
“The idea of them when they first came out 15, 20 years ago was to get commuting, get healthy, get outside and just get out of the car,” he said.
Mr Whiting said most of his customers were aged above 30 and looking to lead more sustainable, active lives.
“Over the years we have expanded more than we could have imagined,” he said.
“Our market is the 30–65 age bracket and the biggest gross market that ride our bikes want to commute, get out, go to the beach or get fit.
“We make bikes for lifestyle-driven customers, rather than performance or high-end bikes.
“Whether you’re a uni student or someone who wants a product to travel to work, we cater for everyone.”
Mr Whiting said the Coast’s extensive cycle network and growing traffic made the region ideal for commuting via e-bike.
“We have good infrastructure for cycling, and the weather, to be out on a bike.
“Traffic on the Coast is growing considerably. When I drive from home to our office in Baringa it takes me half an hour: when I go on my bike it’s 15 minutes.”
Mr Whiting said VelectriX’s e-bikes were rigorously tested to be compliant with Australian industry standards.
“To comply with the regulation in Australia, an e-bike can have a 250-watt motor and needs to be limited to a maximum speed of 25kmh.
“Anything outside of these parameters is illegal.
“You have to make these bikes compliant and have them tested to be compliant, but so many companies don’t do that.
“We employ an independent compliance company that tests every single e-bike model, battery and battery charger we produce – every component that goes on a VelectriX bike is tested and approved.
“It’s a lengthy and expensive process but it makes us stand out. If you buy a VelectriX you know it’s been tested, you know it complies and you know it’s quality.”
“People don’t want them on paths going 60kmh. That’s not what they were designed for.
“We want to correct the narrative that there are great options that are legal and designed to do what they were designed for.
“That’s what drives us.”
VelectriX is currently running a demo model sale with a range of electric bikes available.
