Bicycle firm Pashley diversifies into electric cargo bikes

The firm's general manager said e-cargo bikes were a growing market around the world

A century-old bicycle firm is hoping that branching out into making electric cargo bikes will help it to weather the difficulties faced by the wider sector.

Steven Bell, general manager of Pashley said the global market for cargo bikes was "growing quite dramatically".

He said the company's sales of the vehicles, mainly used for deliveries, were in the "early stages".

Pashley, based in Stratford-upon-Avon, has been making hand-built bicycles since 1926.

"We're not ramping up to larger volumes but this market is becoming much more attractive," he said.

"As they see in urban cities, moving goods around with vans is almost impossible because of parking charges."

The company hoped in the future to expand sales markets in Europe and the Far East.

"We do believe that our position in [electric] cargo will allow us to grow quite significantly," Mr Bell said.

"That area is really growing quite dramatically around the world, and we've got a reputation - we've got a quality, hand-built reputation."

Steven Bell said the company not been affected as badly as some other firms from the post-pandemic slump in sales

Bike sales in the UK boomed during the height of the Covid pandemic, but in recent months many companies have faced challenges.

Islabikes, a Shropshire firm that made its name improving children's bike design, stopped production late last year. Wiggle Ltd, a large retailer, also went into administration last year.

Mr Bell described bikes bought during the pandemic now being sold second hand.

"The whole industry had two years in one [during] Covid because the demand shot up incredibly high," he said.

"Demand for lower and middle end products has slumped this year. Our products tend to be more premium product and that isn't affected as much."

The firm is also testing a prototype for a personal e-bike and aims to launch it later this year.

"Because our bikes are quite unique looking... it's quite difficult to make one of those an electric bike without interfering with the way they look," Mr Bell said.

"But we've managed to do it and we're expecting to launch in the spring."