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GenZe E-Scoots into Inner SE

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The GenZe 2.0 Electric Scooter. Complete with groceries!

GenZe (Generation Zero Emissions) just opened the company’s only permanent brick-and-mortar retail store right near our PPP headquarters at 1235 S.E Grand. I attended the Grand Opening soirée and cruised the showroom to check out the sleek GenZe 2.0.

The really sweet thing about GenZe’s electric scooters are the easily removable batteries that can be charged up in any standard outlet. They are also equipped with a smart touchscreen display that integrates with a phone app, helping you to plan your trip and measure battery charge. 

The California-based company is owned by Mahindra — the worlds biggest manufacturer of tractors.  Vish Palekar, CEO of GenZe, spoke about how GenZe is working to help solve the problem of urban mobility with electric vehicles.

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Mayoral Candidate Jules Bailey welcomes GenZe to his district.

Multnomah County Commissioner and mayoral candidate Jules Bailey also stood up to say a few words. “Sustainability is a buzzword and I think it is important to be clear what we mean when we say it,” said Bailey. He emphasized that sustainability is measured by the three e’s: economics, environment, and equity. He said he was happy to support innovators like GenZe whose mission statement supports all three.  

As far as urban mobility goes, e-scooters and electric vehicles like these are certainly environmentally friendly, encouraging short emission-free trips in urban environments. They take up less curbspace, something we are keenly aware of as a bike-based business. Equity and economics come into play when you consider that the price-point for these vehicles is relatively low at $2,999.

I hope to see more of these kinds of vehicles on the road. At PPP, we are always happy to see alternates modes of transport and exciting new innovation on two wheels.


New Year’s Evolution!

squarespace-employees-know-how-to-properly-enjoy-internationalbeerday-friday-wedeliver-ridereric_19759614724_o (1)This last year was an epic one for Portland Pedal Power, with more of everything: more cargo bikes loaded down with piping hot food, saucy new vendors, more parties and events, brand new staffers, and a growing list of sponsors who align with our mission — to fuel Portland with sustainable bike delivery.

This last year we painted the town with local sponsors like Bowery Bagels, Sundown Concerts (Ecotrust), Gluten Free Gem Bakery, Providence #FinishCancer, Willamette Week Give!Guide, Pacific Power, PointWest Credit Union, BTA Bike Commute Challenge, Treo Bike Tours, Cambia Portland Classic, the GoGreen Conference, the Portland Art Museum, USAgencies, GenZe, Whole Foods, and OPB.

frosty-the-giant-donut-happy-new-year-from-riderrob-delivering-treats-in-the-pouring-rain-wedeliver-happynewyear_24024493866_oWe cruised some of the best and most attended local events this last summer too: the Walk MS, Green Drinks, PDX Beer WeekPortland PrideBike MS Willamette ValleyBreakfast on the BridgesSundown ConcertsSunday ParkwaysBridgePedal 2015, the Portland Classic Tournament, PSU Farmer’s MarketBite of OregonOregon Brew Fest, Pecha Kucha Night, and the Bicycle Commute Challenge!

Looking forward, we plan on growing and further evolving in 2016. We will unveil some exciting new website changes in the coming days. We’ll continue to work to provide our hungry customers with the best service, superior food selection, and the best catering by bike this side of the Mississippi. We will continue to build community partnerships to boost our favorite local businesses and brands, providing unique visibility and friendly brand ambassadors on our bikes.

PPP is committed to supporting sustainable business and growth in the city we love. We hope you’ll join us in ushering in a better future.

Cheers to the coming year! Power to the Pedal!


The GenZe – How eBikes should perform

MVA2897You’ve got to love electric bikes. You’re staying away from the use of petroleum, but you’re not killing your legs while you’re going uphill. It’s a nice compromise between getting around on your own power and accepting some assistance when necessary.

But sometimes,that compromise is a bit more apparent when you use an electric bike. Sometimes you have a very limited range.  Other times, it might not give you the power you need when you’re really tackling those hills during your commute. And while the bike runs well while the batteries last, that extra bulk can add a lot of extra weight when you are in need of a recharge. So is there really a happy medium between electric assist and leg power?

There is now. The creative minds over at Mahindra have created the newest revolution in the eBike community, called the GenZe. When the creators first sat down to design this bike, they had one thing in mind: Relentless Practicality. They wanted to create a bike that fit to your needs, not something that you would have to adjust your own riding style to use.

The result was a bike that doesn’t compromise performance just to boast about its electric assist. Instead of a clunky electric motorcycle that happens to have pedals, the GenZe is first and foremost a bicycle. Only better.

ebike2I actually had a chance to ride a GenZe bike during the Eco Lloyd Fair a few months ago, and let me tell you – it was a blast! When I first got on the bike, I was told to take it for a spin around the walkway a bit, just to get a feel for the ride. I did the loop on what felt like a perfectly average bike – It wasn’t incredibly heavy, and it didn’t feel like a chore to get up to speed.

Then I was told to crank up the assist and start pedaling, and all of a sudden, I was moving.

I had control over my speed like any other regular bike, and that electric assist gave me that extra umph that really gets you rolling. While I was moving at a pretty good clip beforehand, I felt like I was flying with the extra power behind me. And best of all? The transition from my legs to the electric assist was so smooth, I could barely tell where the pedaling stopped and the assist began.

I wasn’t riding a clunky electric bike – I was riding a bike that just happened to have electric assist.

Check out GenZe eBike when you’re ready to see what an electric bicycle should really feel like.