EVELO ANNOUNCES 30-DAY ELECTRIC BIKE CHALLENGE

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2 EVELO ANNOUNCES 30-DAY ELECTRIC BIKE CHALLENGE PARTICIPANTS GIVE UP THEIR CAR KEYS FOR 1 MONTH TO USE E- BIKES FOR TRANSPORTATION BOSTON, MA March 18, 2013 Transportation is usually one of the highest expense categories in any American household. As gas prices rise, as owning a car becomes more of a hassle, and as traffic jams zap away precious time, people are starting to think that there has to be a better way to get around. EVELO, Inc. ( a Boston-based electric bicycle company, believes that electric bikes offer the perfect alternative to cars. To help prove that claim, they are organizing the 30-Day Electric Bike Challenge, designed to promote the electric bike as an effective and viable mode of urban transportation. Challenge participants from at least 10 cities across the US will give up their car keys in exchange for an electric bike to use for commuting to work, running errands, and just plain getting around town. Each participant will blog about their experience, what they learn about switching from a car to an electric bike, and discuss benefits they gain. The names and locations of participants will be announced on April 15 th. EVELO will furnish the electric bicycles used for the Challenge from among their Aries, Aurora, and Luna models, each of which contains an integrated electric motor and battery and can travel up to 40 miles on a single charge costing 6-10 cents. The rider can switch between pure pedaling, pedal-assist, and electric-only modes. The Electric Bike Challenge will take place during the month of May, coinciding with the Bike to Work month. The event will help raise awareness of how electric bikes can make a bike-centered commute possible in any terrain and ease the transition for those wanting to exercise by bike. The Challenge is a follow-up to 2012 s Trans-American Electric Bike Tour ( where EVELO sent two cyclists across the US on electric bikes. The pair biked approximately 4,000 miles from New York to San Francisco over a 2-1/2 month period using less than $20 worth of electricity. One of the bikes used on the tour is on display at the US Bicycling Hall of Fame in Davis, CA. Over the last decade, electric bike use has grown by leaps and bounds, becoming an integral way of transportation in much of Europe and Asia, says Boris Mordkovich, co-founder of EVELO and Challenge organizer. Our objective is to show US consumers that electric bicycles can and do make sense as a means of cutting our dependence upon cars, while remaining respectful of the environment and centered on a healthier lifestyle. To learn more about the Challenge and electric bicycles, and to see if a participant is located in your city or town, join in the conversation at and

3 ABOUT EVELO ELECTRIC BICYCLES EVELO Electric Bicycle Company develops long-range, stylish electric bicycles for recreation and commuting. Their mission is to get more people cycling more often by making bicycles accessible and simple to use. Learn more about EVELO at

4 SHORT & LONG DESCRIPTION LONG DESCRIPTION (162 WORDS) The 30-Day Electric Bike Challenge is a month-long event whose objective is to spread awareness about electric bicycles as a viable means of urban transportation. Taking place in May 2013, the Challenge will feature at least 10 participants from different cities across the US, who will pledge to give up their cars in exchange for electric bicycles provided by Boston-based EVELO ( Participants will use the electric bikes to commute to work, to run errands, and for all other trips they would normally take by car during the course of the Challenge. Each will blog about the experience, what they learn about switching from a car to an electric bike, and discuss benefits they gain. Participant names and locations will be announced on April 15th. Electric bicycles offer a new way for people to commute and get around town on bicycles, regardless of the terrain, age or fitness levels. To learn more and follow the progress of the Challenge participants, visit SHORT DESCRIPTION (87 WORDS) The 30-Day Electric Bike Challenge is a month-long event whose objective is to spread awareness about electric bicycles as a viable means of urban transportation. Taking place in May 2013, at least 10 participants will give up their cars in exchange for electric bicycles provided by EVELO ( and blog about the experience. Electric bicycles offer a new way for people to commute and get around town on bicycles, regardless of the terrain, age or fitness levels. To learn more and follow the Challenge participants, visit USEFUL LINKS: Blog: Facebook: Twitter: YouTube: Google +: RateLobby:

5 FACTSHEET Event Name: 30-Day Electric Bike Challenge Organizer: EVELO Electric Bicycles (Boston, MA) Full Description: A 30-day long challenge where participants agree to give up their cars in exchange for riding an electric bicycle with the objective of spreading awareness of the advantages of electric bicycles to American consumers. Start Date: May 1 st, 2013 End Date: May 31 st, 2013 Who s Participating: Around 10 individuals from cities across the US. Final participants and cities will be announced on April 15 th. Bicycles: EVELO Aries, EVELO Aurora, and EVELO Luna. Each participant will be furnished with a loaner electric bicycle equipped with a 250W Mid-Drive motor and 36V10Ah Lithium-Polymer Battery. Further details here: Aries: Aurora: Luna: Bicycle Range: Each battery is capable of travelling up to 40 miles on pedal-assist mode on a single charge. Extended-range batteries provide up to 60 miles on pedal-assist mode on a single charge. Battery Recharge Time: 4-6 hours to full capacity Electricity Cost Per Charge: Average is $0.08 cents Parameters Tracked: Each participant will keep track of miles travelled, approximate savings, and health-related statistics. Participants will blog about the experience, and statistics will be tracked on a leaderboard on the Challenge website at Sponsors: EVELO Electric Bicycles Cities Fielding Challenge Participants: Austin, TX Miami, FL Philadelphia, PA Washington, DC Boston, MA Minneapolis, MN San Francisco, CA OPEN TBA Chicago, IL New York, NY Seattle, WA OPEN TBA

6 WHO IS BEHIND THE CHALLENGE? The 30-Day Electric Bike Challenge is put together by EVELO Electric Bicycle company. EVELO offers stylish, long-range electric bicycles that make cycling more attractive and accessible for commuting, exercising, and recreational opportunities in an environmentally friendly manner. Learn more about EVELO and see their line of electric bicycles at

7 OBJECTIVES The objectives for the Challenge are as follows: 1. Demonstrate the Utility of Electric Bikes We think that electric bikes are pretty great, if you don t mind us saying so. Now we want to show the world that an electric bike can help anyone, including non-cyclists, commute to work and get around their city in a way that is healthier, more economical, and more environmentally friendly. What better way to do that than to commit to the electric bike challenge for 30 days? 2. Expand Bicycle Commuting to the Other 99% of the Population A few years ago, a report published by the League of American Bicyclists indicated that less than 1% of the population in the 70 largest US cities used a bicycle for commuting. And that is within cities, where half of all trips taken are less than 3 miles in length! Our objective is to make electric bicycles a real, viable alternative for the other 99% of folks in cities and beyond in making the transition from a car onto two wheels. 3. Learn from Each Other We call it a Challenge because we know it s not easy to suddenly start using a bicycle for one s transportation needs. We want to share the highlights and obstacles, as well as the ups and downs of incorporating a bicycle into your lifestyle. Our participants will report on their experience and share what they have learned to make this switch easier for everyone else.

8 INDUSTRY STATISTICS SALES OF ELECTRIC BIKES IN THE U.S: , , ,000 (actually retreated a bit due to lower gas prices) 2016 Projections: 785,000 SALES OF ELECTRIC BIKES IN EUROPE: , ,000 SALES OF ELECTRIC BIKES IN CHINA: ,500, ,000, ,000, ,000,000 PROJECTED SALES OF ELECTRIC BIKES WORLDWIDE: ,000, ,000,000 the worldwide market for e-bicycles will increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.5% between 2012 and 2018, resulting in global sales of more than 47 million vehicles in Source: 47-million-by

9 Target Market: Urban commuters, particularly those traveling long distances, and Baby Boomers who may have lost a gear or two, but still want to ride. Industry Developments: First-ever electric bike sharing is currently being launched in San Francisco by City Carshare with a grant from the Department of Transportation. % of Americans Who Currently Bike to Work: The American Community Survey tells us that just 0.55% of the working population in the U.S., age 16 and older, bikes to work.

10 SPONSORS EVELO EVELO Electric Bicycle Company develops long-range, stylish electric bicycles for recreation and commuting. Their mission is to get more people cycling more often by making bicycles accessible and simple to use. Learn more about EVELO at