Plymouth-Based eCo Wheelz Adds New Dimension to Biking

Father-and-son team Craig and Jeremy Panizzoli were up against a lot of odds when they decided to open an electric bike shop in 2007 in downtown Plymouth.

Based on what they had read about electric bikes, which are normal bicycles affixed with a battery-powered motor that can be turned on or off at the rider's will, they knew the bikes were most popular in Asia and Europe, where alternative transportation is the norm.

In the United States, the bikes enjoyed pockets of popularity on the West Coast and other warm-climate states but had little recognition in the Midwest — especially not in the auto-driven Motor City.

But the men took their chances and opened on Main Street in Plymouth, and they haven't looked back since.

"We've weathered the bad economy, and we're still here," Jeremy Panizzoli said.

The 34-year-old Plymouth man said he attributes much of the store's success to its online sales, which keep the business afloat during the winter months when most Michiganders keep their bikes stored deep inside the garage.

"One of the disadvantages to having an electric bike shop here is winter," he said. "But we do a significant amount of business online. We put a lot of effort into our website just for that reason."

But he said local business picks up every year when the weather turns warmer, and he said he expects even more interest than usual this year due to rising gasoline prices.

"This is still a car city, but that's changing," said Craig Panizzoli, 56, a retired autoworker who lives in Garden City. "We see more people coming in here every year."

He said more people in Michigan use the electric bike for recreation than for transportation, but that he also sees that changing.

"You'll see people who use them as transportation to work in warmer months," the elder Panizzoli said. "They can use the motor or pedal-assist on their way in and not break a sweat, and then pedal home and get their exercise in."

He said the bikes can be used three ways: no pedaling at all; pedal-assist, which gives bikers an electric boost while they're pedaling; and pedaling without the motor, as with a normal bike.

Craig Panizzoli said riders can expect to get 10 to 15 miles out of the battery with absolutely no pedaling and 15 to 30 miles using pedal-assist. He said the batteries take six to eight hours to charge completely.

But electric bikes aren't just for people looking to be more environmentally friendly or to save money on gas, he said.

One of eCo Wheelz's biggest customer bases is people 50 and older looking to stay active.

"We get people with a bad knee or hip who say having the electric motor just makes it easier for them to get started, and then they pedal from there," Craig Panizzoli said.

Mike Burley, 71, of Canton was one of eCo Wheelz's first customers.

"I'd heard about electric bikes through one of my gadget magazines," Burley said. "And then one day I was in Plymouth and saw the shop, and I decided just to buy one."

He said he uses it more often as a regular bike but that he likes the option offered by the electric motor.

"Let's just say I'm not 20 anymore," Burley said. "This bike is perfect because you're never stuck. If something happens, and you can't pedal, you have the motor as a backup. And on the other hand, if you're using the motor and run out of battery, you can always pedal it like a regular bike to get where you need to be."

Burley said he uses his bike as his primary transportation "as long as there isn't ice or snow on the ground."

"I need the exercise, anyway," he said. "And it's great for running short errands like the ones I do every day — to the grocery store and to downtown Plymouth."

Burley said he sometimes uses a child-carrier trailer to carry items with him when he has a big shopping trip.

"And when there's a big event in Plymouth, the bike is just perfect," he said. "I never have to worry about finding a parking spot."

Jeremy Panizzoli said eCo Wheelz will have a display at the next month in downtown Plymouth, where people can try a bike for themselves.

"We always try to get whoever comes in here on a bike," he said. "As soon as they get on one, you just see people getting a big grin on their face."