Hybrid e-bike marketer Pietzo launched a full-service program in Massachusetts aimed at helping corporations and universities launch bicycle commuting programs to fulfill their own sustainability goals. 


Pietzo, which is headquarterd in Bedford, MA, is trying to create a market for e-bikes by offering its $1,200 to $1,900 bicycles through employers and universities. The initiative comes as some U.S. jurisdictions offer tax breaks, grants and other financial incentives to induce employers to promote bike commuting to their workforce.

 

Pietzo’s bikes can be used in manual or electric mode, enabling commuters to arrive sweat-free and then pedal home to get their workout. 

The time is right for electric bicycles to take off in the U.S. as a viable commuting option, said Steve Mongeau, CEO of Pietzo. There is a critical need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and mitigate traffic congestion and parking problems in urban areas. These needs, combined with the increased emphasis on health and fitness, make electric-assisted bicycles ideal for commuters.


At Wellesley College, Patrick Willoughby, Director of Sustainability said, My overall goal for campus sustainability is to lower energy consumption, and Pietzos electric bicycles play a key role in helping us achieve that goal. The electric bikes are used by our campus police and facilities management, and provide a visible demonstration of Wellesleys commitment to lowering greenhouse gas emissions.


Outside the U.S., electric bicycles are a well-established mode of transportation, with more than 22 million sold in Asia and Europe last year. LEVA (Light Electric Vehicle Association) predicts that 2010 electric bike sales in the U.S. will double from 2009; by 2020, 40% of U.S. bike sales will be electric.