Spokes is a bike shop located in Abbotsford, Melbourne. It mainly offers electric bikes from quality brands.
I conducted this interview to share Spokes’ philosophy on electric bikes, how they have engaged the community and customers during their service, and how they have sought to reduce their carbon footprint during operations.
Disclaimer: I have not been paid to conduct this interview or promote the bike shop.
I was happy to see how their knowledge and expertise have benefited the community, the environment, and bike riders.
Philosophy of Spokes and how e-bikes fit in it
Back 45 years ago, they started as a bike shop. From there, they moved into a family all-rounder general local bike store, and when it first started, it was still family-oriented.
I think 15 years ago, Gary (founder of the shop) went over to Holland and said:
“We need to migrate away from anything sportier or athletic and make it an everyday bike shop because normal people ride normal bikes.”
Spokes still provides servicing for all types of bikes. Electric bikes came in very early, especially with the hills in Dandenong. Starting with conversion kits and still using the same philosophy: normal e-bikes for people and putting a smile on people’s faces.
Ways Spokes engages with the locals and promotes e-bikes
Spokes don’t actively promote themselves beyond being here as a friendly face and are willing to answer any questions.
Many people walk in the door knowing absolutely nothing about electric bikes, but they’ve got a friend who’s had one or wants to ride one, and they want to ask questions.
All they want is not to be pushed to make a decision other than taking them for a spin. For us, it is obvious that this is the way to promote e-cycles in the local community.
We have Yarra Boulevard directly behind us, so we can point customers to that area and let them try it.
In terms of community engagement, the shop has worked with local schools, with Ride2Workday and the Abbotsford Convent; they want to be a friendly, helpful local bike shop rather than an active, in-your-face marketing style.
Whenever we can help raise funds for local schools, we will try to participate and support them.
How do e-bikes sold at Spokes contribute to reducing the carbon footprint compared to traditional bicycles and cars?
Unlike traditional bikes, e-bikes are slightly higher, no matter what we have. Where they really compare is with cars or even electric vehicles. For instance, a cargo bike could carry many things, taking up minimal street space and improving mobility.
The things we consider before putting a brand on the floor are the packaging and the electric bike’s quality.
First of all, the brands the shop carries are approximately 90% plastic-free. All of their packaging is designed to be as eco-friendly as possible.
Secondly, we ensure that any model lasts at least five years. There is no point in bringing the world’s lowest-carbon e-bike that lasts only a few months, then having the rider buy another one or having to fix it in no time—the carbon sink would be lost. We don’t want that for our customers.
Our point of view is less about carbon and numbers, because the numbers are tiny for bikes compared to other vehicles. It’s really about active transport; when people replace car trips with bicycle trips, they’re more active, using their bodies more, and if people integrate that into their day-to-day commuting, it is a win for everyone.
