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The most unexpected of places
No one is a more fervent e-bike evangelist than a brand new, first-time e-bike customer. Sometimes you meet them in the most unexpected places.
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I have a love-hate relationship with my car. It's taken me on great adventures and it's an important part of my own personal transportation mix, yet I go out of my way to leave it parked in front of the house and go by foot or by Faraday whenever possible. More trips by e-bike equals fewer cash outlays on gas and oil changes, but more importantly, ditching my car in favor of my Faraday means I am happier, healthier, and less-stressed - and that's worth even more to me than cutting back on the estimated $5k per year that Consumer Reports tells me I'm spending on automotive upkeep.
A big chunk of that annual automotive spending bill comes from semi-regular trips to my local mechanic for upkeep on my aging Mazda. I'm lucky to have had the same car mechanic for the past 6 years ... the kind of local shop that knows me by name and knows my car even better. It's the sort of shop were you can feel good about being a customer, even when you discover that a slashed sidewall is going to set you back for a brand new set of tires.
It was on just such a trip to the automotive garage, this morning, that I spotted a shiny new e-bike in the back of the shop. I asked around and was happily surprised to learn that it belonged to none other than David, the owner of the shop. Just two weeks earlier, he'd sold the gas-guzzling oversized truck he's driven for years and upgraded to an e-bike for his ~4 mile commute to work. He loves the exercise, the opportunity to get outdoors, and the thrill of riding his speedy new bike - he couldn't be happier with his new set of wheels.
I walked home and rode by later in the morning on my Faraday, let David take it for a spin (he loved it), and chatted e-bikes for a bit. He hadn't heard of Faraday when doing his research (shame on us for the missed marketing opportunity) but loved the bike's classic lines and smooth ride. We may have missed the chance to win him as a customer, but now his wife wants an e-bike ... hopefully she has a Faraday in her future.
I rode away with a bigger-than-normal smile on my face, already thinking about this blog post. It's the greatest thing in the world to me that a guy who's lived and breathed automobiles for 30 years or more can so happily walk away from his own car (or truck) and become an electric bicycle evangelist. David's enthusiasm is contagious, and I like to hope that many more of his future customers will come in for an oil change and leave with something far more inspiring - a glimpse of a new alternative for the future of transportation, in the most unexpected of places.
- Adam
The Faces of Faraday
We have to let you in on a little secret: Faraday riders are an amazing bunch. Sprinkled throughout the United States from Honolulu to Cambridge, it is hard to find a more diverse, enthusiastic and forward-thinking group. While they are notoriously hard to track down as they zip through their neighborhoods at 20mph, we managed to catch up with a handful of riders to share a photo and a few words about their bike. This week we are featuring a few friendly faces so you can hear what they have to say about being a Faraday owner.
"So enthused to be an original owner. I get stopped nearly every ride by people asking questions and marveling over the craftsmanship. I live at the top of a five-block incline so traditional biking was out of the question. Look at me now, slaloming up Potrero hills without breaking a sweat! Transportational autonomy is key, and the Faraday makes distances much more feasible. Thank you!"
Ligaya, bike #0157 - San Francisco, CA
“I have a smug look in this photo because I have been feeling the smugness since the day the Faraday arrived. The Porteur gets constant admiration. I meet so many, like myself, who appreciate art in motion. Love the ride and the freedom it provides.”
Tim, #0002 - Cambridge, MA
"My husband bought faraday #138 for my 64th birthday and I ride it up and down the steep hills of Portland. I still get the exercise but it takes me places I couldn’t otherwise go. The bike captures everyone’s attention. Usually it is the design and beauty that catches the eye, not the electric assist. That feature is well concealed, sometimes to even the most experienced bike-aholic. When they find out it is electric, they are full of questions and occasionally beg for a test ride. I usually accommodate, keeping their bike as collateral. They always return with a smile on their face, amazed with the performance and many with a conviction to one day have their own Faraday. Expect sales to soar in Portland."
Gail, #0138 - Portland, OR
People like Ligaya, Tim & Gail are the best part of coming to work at Faraday Bikes. We love seeing their smiling faces and we can't wait to meet the next generation of Faraday owners. This is the first of an ongoing series where we'll share the amazing stories, photos, and feedback we've received from the Faraday community. To join these three and the rest of our Faraday riders, place your pre-order today for our next limited-edition run, shipping March 2015. Looking for just a taste of the Faraday experience? Look for a dealer near you, sign up for our Demo Program today, or call us up - we're here to answer your questions.
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- The most unexpected of places
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