The joy of riding

It turns out the electric bike experience is, well, just like riding a bike. Since it takes much of the physical endeavor out of the equation, electric bikes are opening up this practical and eco-friendly pastime to people who may not have hopped on a bicycle in decades.

At Pedego Electric Bikes in Peninsula, for the past seven summer seasons, owner Keith Gecking has seen firsthand how e-bikes are changing the way people feel about cycling, especially since the shop is about two minutes away from the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

He and his wife Nancy discovered e-bikes years ago and wanted to share them with others by selling, renting and servicing the bikes.

“People are having a blast getting back on bikes again,” he says. “But they want something that makes riding easier, more comfortable and fun.”

He explains one of the biggest advantages of e-bikes is accessibility. Riders who may have given up cycling due to age or fitness level are rediscovering the joy of riding.

At the shop, you’ll find models that can travel up to 100 miles on a single lithium battery charge. Keith says their location is a major draw—just minutes from the Towpath Trail and the Summit County Bike & Hike Trail—and nestled right on Main Street in downtown Peninsula, close to a variety of restaurants and shops.

“Affordable rentals by the hour make it easy for families or couples to enjoy an afternoon tooling around together,” he says. “Oftentimes someone will rent from us a few times, then end up buying their own bike here. Peninsula is such a bike-friendly town. This year we are adding traditional bikes for rent as well.”

Pedego Electric Bikes is located at 1593 Main Street in Peninsula. It’s open weekends in April, then beginning Friday, May 1, Wednesday–Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call 330-657-4046 or visit Pedegopeninsula.com for more information.

Pedego Electric Bikes

1593 Main Street, Peninsula

330-657-4046

PedegoPeninsula.com