The Ride For Your Life

Tom Hemenway’s wakeup call came in the form of rejection - from his physician.

“He basically threw me out,” recalls Hemenway, the owner of Exeter-based eZee Bikes, New England’s largest electric bicycle dealership. “The doctor said he didn’t want me as his patient anymore.”

But deep down, Hemenway understood the doctor’s frustration with him. Despite his success as a business owner, he had developed poor lifestyle habits, and was diagnosed as diabetic. “My grandmother passed away from diabetes, and I was probably headed for the same fate. Or I was looking at taking a needle full of insulin every day.”

So Hemenway started a personal journey that would culminate in he and his wife opening eZee Bikes on Epping Road in Exeter. Initially, he stopped smoking, quit drinking, improved his diet, and jumped on his son’s 21-speed bike.  “It was a great start,” said Hemenway. “But I found it hard to ride the bike, between changing gears and battling hills, which was a big challenge for me. It was a real disincentive to getting on the bike.”

Fortunately, Hemenway happened to view a late-night infomercial advertising a bike that automatically changed gears. Intrigued, he started researching alternative bikes, and discovered an electric bike that allowed the rider to pedal and get exercise, while being able to engage an electric motor on demand. “It completely brought the fun back in biking for me,” exclaimed Hemenway. “And I knew other people would agree if I could just get them to try it. These bikes are an absolute blast to ride, and as riders get stronger and healthier, they can use more of their own power, and less of the motor. But it’s great to know that the motor is ready to go for hills, or if you get tired.”

While eZee Bikes carries multiple models – including some that fold in half to facilitate easy transportation - his flagship product is a lightweight, aluminum bicycle that not only provides wonderful health benefits, but also brings families together. “My first customer was a strong cyclist, but he bought an electric bike for his wife so that they could ride together,” said Hemenway. “Now, she rides her electric bike with her cyclist husband, which she hasn’t been able to do in years. She rides around the lake she lives on, and not only gets to see her kids, but also see and chat with neighbors. All while getting exercise and fresh air, on a route that would be too far to walk. Biking connects you with people and your surroundings in a way that cars can’t.”

While allowing people to get the multiple benefits associated with physical activity, there are also benefits to those in more urban environments:  it’s a heck of a lot easier to park a bike than a car, and less expensive.

“Plus, you can transport these bikes just like you would a traditional bike; it fits on a bike rack, in the flatbed of a truck, the back of an SUV,” noted Hemenway. “And they are great for campers, or folks with motor homes. Once you arrive at your campground, you can use your electric bike to get around, and it’s much easier and healthier than vehicles, and much faster than walking.”

Electric bikes, which are very popular in Europe, and starting to catch on across college campuses, are also good for the planet while being gentle on your budget. While acting as a distributor for several models of electric bikes, eZee Bikes’ entry-level models start at around $500, while creating little if any emissions.  The bikes generally consume about 1 kilowatt hour for every 100 kilometers, while only requiring about 4 hours of charging time!

For Hemenway and his wife Teresa Robles – who handles marketing and sales for eZee Bikes – education and awareness are the keys. “It’s a grass roots effort to familiarize people with electric bikes. We go to shows, expos, and try to be out in the community as much as possible,” mentioned Robles. “And our van acts as a big advertisement; we get questions about it all the time!”  

To further spread the word about the ease, fun, health benefits, and environmental friendliness of electric bikes, eZee Bikes has joined the Green Alliance, a union of over 90 green businesses across New Hampshire, southern Maine, and northern Massachusetts, to connect with the region’s burgeoning eco-conscious consumers. “I think whether it’s young people wanting convenience, or adults wanting to improve their health without going overboard, the members of the Green Alliance will really see the benefits of electric bikes.” Green Alliance members receive $100 off the purchase of any eZee brand bicycle.

Hemenway is determined to be the premier dealer of electric bikes in New Hampshire, in part because he feels it was an integral part of his own personal recovery from serious health issues. And his enthusiasm and effervescence is positively contagious.

“I joke that if anyone comes to eZee Bikes, rides on one of these bikes and doesn’t love it, I’ll give them $20” quips Hemenway. So far, he hasn’t has to give any money away.

For more information:

eZee Bikes: www.ezeebikesnh.com

Green Alliance: www.greenalliance.biz