Sales of power assisted bicycles, or eBikes, are increasing in Dunedin, bike shop owner Kashi Leuchs told the ODT.
A world cup winning cyclist who represented New Zealand at Olympic and Commonwealth games, Mr Leuchs now runs Dunedin bike shop Bike Otago.
Five years ago, the shop began selling eBikes - at a rate of one or two a year, he said.
Two years later, that rate had lifted to 10 to 20 eBikes annually.
Last year 60 were sold, and he believes that figure could double this year.
''And it's a really diverse group of customers,'' Mr Leuchs said.
''Probably most common is the 50 plus [age group], who are almost looking at it as a new lease of life.
''It's people who otherwise just wouldn't be on bikes. And they're really using them. People come back and say they're amazed at how much they're using them.''
The bikes, which required no on road costs, were particularly suited for Dunedin, removing the two main barriers to cycling people in the city had.
''It's the hills and the wind that are the key deterrents for most cyclists in Dunedin.
''If you're fit enough, that's fine.
''But for a lot of people, if you live up one of those hills and you need to commute, it's the only way.''
People were using the bikes to commute to Dunedin from the hill suburbs, Three Mile Hill, and even Waitati, he said. Prices of eBikes started at about $2500.
They cost less than $200 a year in maintenance, and $0.10 every 50km for a six hour battery charge.
