West Chester Shop Plugs into Pedal Power

Love to bike, but hate the hills? That sounds like thousands of people who are itching to hit the streets and save gas these days. It's also the driving theme at Hybrid Cycles on Gay Street.

Hybrid Cycles is one of the shops taking part in West Chester's first annual Wellness Walk. The bikes are equipped with motors that can help give you that little extra push up a hill and make the difference between powering through a bike ride or powering down and giving up.

Hybrid Cycles owner and President Gary DiVincenzo has been in business for four years and opened the store at 126 Gay Stree three years ago. Not surprisingly he says new lithium battery technology changed the landscape for hybrid bikes about four years ago. New battery technology has made the batteries much lighter than the electric bikes of old. And DiVincenzo says the motors have also gotten more efficient and lighter weight.

Click on the video clips to learn more about Hybrid Cycles and what's available right in the heart of West Chester. DiVincenzo says the nearest other place to find these bikes is in Philly. (Editor's note: Philadelphia imposes an 8% sales tax on many items purchased in the city limits).

DiVincenso says his shop offers service and bikes on the sales floor are ready to go. Yes, you can take a test ride. If there's a bike you want that's not in stock he says he can usually get it in about 6-10 days.