Turn your bicycle into an electric ride

Did you ask Santa for an electric bike, only to be told that it was too expensive? Well, now Santa has no more excuses. A U.K. based start-up called Swytch sells an ebike conversion kit for about half the cost of an electric bike.

The ebike kit is designed to convert any type of non-electric bicycle (99% of bikes are convertible) to electric.

Swytch was launched in 2017, and has sold 95,000 conversion kits

The company claims that the parts are fairly easy to install. The basic components are: a battery with two range options (15km or 30 km); a 250 W motor that attaches to the front wheel hub; a charger; and a sine-wave control device. I’m not sure what this is, but according to the company website, it ensures a quiet and smooth ride.

If you get into a jam trying to install the parts, virtual support is available. I watched a few You Tube videos about how to install the kit. It looked a little intimidating to me, but I’m not used to working with tools or bikes.

“Our job as innovators is to make environmentally friendly technology that people want to use because it’s cool! That way, a global change to a more sustainable way of life will happen naturally”, says Oliver Montague, co-founder and CEO.

Conversion kits are an option to consider if you want to try an electric bike, but don’t want to pay full price; or, perhaps you don’t want to store a second bicycle.

Either way, it’s a win for you and for the planet.