A bicycle hire firm has launched to capture a surge of interest in electric bikes.
Ebikes Eryri has been set up in Bala by Ben Halsall and his fiance Becky Henshall.
They are offering a delivery/collection model, initially in the Bala and Barmouth area but with the aim of spreading their wings in the future.
The couple hope by making it as hassle free as possible they will increase the numbers trying out electric bikes.
Ben said: “If you live in the area, we can deliver to your home.
“If you are visiting, we deliver to your hotel, guest house or campsite. If you have a specific ride in mind, we can deliver the bikes to the starting point of that ride and then collect at the end. It couldn’t be simpler.
“Ebikes Eryri are looking at ways to work with other local businesses, such as pubs and restaurants for a lunchtime break to recharge body and bike, and with an ebike discount.”
Ben has moved to Bala after living in France for many years and is confident about the new venture.
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He said: “It’s difficult not to get excited by the future.
“We’ve all seen people cycling, and we’ve all seen people struggling cycling.
“Well now you can keep the enjoyment, and reduce the struggle. It turns out you can have your cake and eat it.”
They are already picking up customers - with Ben praising his partner for building up awareness on social media.
He said: “You can’t run a business like this today without a strong internet presence.
“The reason we are so present, in social media, is because of Becky.”
He says ebikes are no longer the “ugly ducklings of the bike world”.
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Ben added: “They are now seen as the serene and sophisticated swans, an effortlessly gliding wonder to behold. All our bikes are from the world renowned German manufacturer Cube and boast Shimano cassette and disc brakes, Suntour forks, Schwalbe tyres built around Cube’s own, highly regarded aluminium frame. The Gen3 Bosch drive unit is powered by the Powertube 400 which, along with your pedalling, could easily propel you 10, 30, 50 miles a day.
“They take the hell out of the hills.”