Posted 1:30 pm Sunday, April 05, 2009
Off Beat Business: Tyler Salesman Peddles Electrifying Experience
By BRIAN PEARSON
Business Editor
William Hebb both pedals and peddles bicycles.
Business Editor
William Hebb both pedals and peddles bicycles.
As an avid cyclist, the 57-year-old Hebb loves to put in miles on his road bike. As a salesman of a Chinese-made electric bike, he enjoys riding around Tyler on the product as a way of exposing it to potential buyers.
At the center of his business, Hebb E-Bikes, are the cycles that can be pedaled or juiced up to 20 mph with a flick of the wrist on the right-grip throttle.
Hebb, who has more than 20 years of experience selling and distributing fitness equipment, said he became fascinated with the cycles while traveling in China.
At the center of his business, Hebb E-Bikes, are the cycles that can be pedaled or juiced up to 20 mph with a flick of the wrist on the right-grip throttle.
Hebb, who has more than 20 years of experience selling and distributing fitness equipment, said he became fascinated with the cycles while traveling in China.
"After I rode it once, I said, 'This should be a business,'" he said.
Hebb became a salesman and distributor of the bikes in January and said he has sold about 50 since then -- at $2,000 a pop. He sells the bikes at fairs and festivals as well as through three bike distributorships in Texas, including TD Fitness in Whitehouse. He also had a display Thursday at the Seniors Celebrating Life in Tyler event at the Harvey Convention Center in Tyler.
The United States represents a pinprick of light in the starry sky when it comes to the bikes, he said. China produces about 18 million of them a year, but only 50,000 to 100,000 find their way into this country, he said. Most of the rest are sold in Europe.
The target audience is older cyclists who want to ride a bike but dislike doing so in the wind, up hills or over long distances, Hebb said.
"It's moderate exercise," he said. "For people over 50, it's a great market."
He said the bike allows his wife, Risa, to keep up with him while he's on his road bike.
"Except she can beat me on the hills, which is irritating," he quipped.
Because the bikes don't exceed 20 mph (unless you're either pedaling real fast or going downhill), they are not considered a motorized vehicle, so no license is required, he said. However, wearing a helmet is advised.
The cycles come with 350-watt motor powered by a 37-volt rechargeable lithium battery, which must be recharged every 25 to 30 minutes, depending on how much it is used during a ride, Hebb said. Pedaling the 59-pound bike does not recharge the battery, which has a special recharger to do the job.
Hebb said he wants to expand bike sales, but not too fast.
"I have big plans for it," he said. "But I'm starting slowly."
On a personal note, Hebb just enjoys riding the bikes, which really come in handy when he and his wife stay in their Colorado summer home.
"This is a lot of fun," he said. "It makes you feel like a kid again."
Rick Trevino, owner of TD Fitness Outlet, predicted that interest in the cycles will grow slowly in the United States, particularly among Baby Boomers.
"I think the bikes are really cool, and I like them for several different reasons," said Trevino, whose store has the cycles on display. "They're great for the senior crowd and people who like to ride bikes but can't go very far.
"It's a good way to get around the neighborhood or get around the lake areas."
Want to know more about a unique business in the area? Contact Business Editor Brian Pearson at 903-596-6280 or e-mail him at bpearson@tylerpaper.com.
