We love featuring local business that help promote riding bicycles.* Is there a more bikefriendly business than one that actually builds bicycles? We’ve had a chat to Kate Biondo of the Galactic Cooperative, which is the mothership of Svelto Bikes, the only Western Australian (maybe even Australian?) e-bike manufacturer:
“Svelto Bikes is our quality Australian designed and built e-bike, and, as a business, is part of the Galactic Co-operative. As a local business with a passion for renewable energy we had a mission to see less cars on Australian roads. Electric bikes can be seen as a definite answer to Australia’s congested roads. Around six years ago we started experimenting with different electric bike technologies. We tried front, rear and two wheel drive motor combinations; many different controller and battery chemistry alternatives and always striving for the most reliable sustainable solution to the commuting problem. The result was our commuter electric bikes.”
“Our sustainability focus starts with the idea that an electric bike is a viable alternative to a second car. More than that though, a well designed and manufactured electric bike, suited to Australia’s climate and urban makeup is a sustainable alternative to a single occupant fossil fuelled car. It’s even more than that though; our bikes are designed to last longer than any other electric bike on the market, and in some cases will outlive most other motorised items as well. Our commuter electric bike has a 25 year design philosophy! We only make or use components that we believe will last 25 years (excluding consumables like tyres, brakes and battery). We’ll train you to ride and look after your bike, we’ll service your bike and maintain a relationship with you for the life of your bike. It’s all part of our commitment to the environmental, social and economic well-being of our planet and its inhabitants.”
“Several people from Galactic Cooperative and Svelto Bikes have come together to express their thoughts on the role that bicycles and e-bikes have played, and continue to play, in their lives. As a business, Svelto Bikes has a vision to put every commuter whose journey suits cycling on an e-bike. This ties in with the Galactic Co-operative mandates to engage with the community, and reduce the environmental impact of human activity. Svelto Bikes believes that innovation will allow people to move to a more environmentally responsible paradigm while also having a higher quality of life, rather than feeling like they’re sacrificing anything, which is where the environmental movement finds a great deal of resistance.”
“We have a pool bike ready for use at the office and everyone is encouraged to use it for small trips around the place from picking up parts from local suppliers and lunch items.”
“The Svelto Bike was conceptualised by Andrea Biondo. Andrea has always ridden a bike and given the opportunity will ride to most places. While in training for an apprenticeship back in the eighties he would ride his bike to the training facility on Ley Street, Manning from Langford everyday. Once in the workforce Andrea struggled to find opportunities to ride because of the nature of his work in the service industry. Change of career and a move towards being where we are today meant that bike riding came to the forefront once more. Riding his bike to and from Curtin University where he studied Physics and then went on to work at Curtin University for a couple of years riding his bike rain or shine. Starting work at University of Western Australia meant more a longer commute and Andrea started thinking how to make the 16 kilometre journey there and back more manageable. His thoughts went into the realm of an electric bike, and hence the beginning of the Svelto prototype.”
“Kate Biondo didn’t have such a close relationship to the bicycle as some others. It was always a means to get to places and she was so keen to get her licence and drive a car at 17. Until she could drive though, Kate has many fond memories of being one of the Charlie’s angels riding around the deserted Primary School grounds with her friends and the independence of going to and from friends homes, the shops and High School. Having her son, Isaac, was another big boost to use a bike once more. Kate wanted to make sure Isaac new that cycling was a part of what he does as a family and it was seen as a normal way of getting about. Kate, Andrea and Isaac have cycled a lot; to and from Isaac’s school, all around Rottnest on a yearly basis from when Isaac was 3 to about 10 years of age and still do at any opportunity, and on weekends to explore along the Canning and Swan River. Isaac to this day rides his e-bike (A very pieced together machine from discarded items Andrea didn’t need) to High School and the local shops.”
“Kat Sherwin’s personal relationship with the bicycle combines different facets of the commuter, the exerciser and the leisure rider. She uses her bike primarily as a commuter vehicle, but considers its fitness benefits as a supporting factor in her sports training. For her, it is a way to minimise her environmental impact as a commuter. Not least of all, she has found an unexpected joy in feeling connected to the world as she moves through it, rather than being insulated and isolated as one tends to be in a car. She finds it fascinating to be able to smell the seasons and the different times of day, to note the different wind directions between morning and evening, and to enjoy the work of gardeners whose roses and jasmine and fig trees line her route to the gym, work and home.”
“People have a preconception of e-bikes as being big, clunky, inconvenient things. Svelto Bikes are designed from the starting point of a traditional bicycle, to be sleek, modern and easy to handle. They’re simple and safe to operate and maintain and this makes them the ideal replacement for cars as commuter vehicles. A Bluetooth Android app allows you to be in total control of your bike and achieve the most personalised, connected riding experience possible.”
“Additionally, a concerning trend has emerged, where more and more people are purchasing e-bikes as short-term, consumable, throw-away items. This approach is clearly disastrous on an environmental front, which is why Svelto Bikes are designed to last 25 years. Current battery technology isn’t quite sufficient but Svelto Bikes is constantly working to improve the product, and battery life will only get better. To this end, we are committed to helping you keep your Svelto Bike at the cutting edge of technology throughout its lifetime, by offering opportunities to upgrade the hardware as better innovations become available.”
“Svelto’s aim is to move people away from thinking of bicycles as accessories to be replaced when they’re “out of fashion”. This bike is an investment in your future, and a companion that will be in your life for many, many years to come.”
*Please note: our regular bikefriendly business profiles aim to highlight businesses that are of interested to people on bicycles. We don’t receive any payment for these features. If you run a business that supports people riding bicycles, please drop us a line!