Electric bicycles gain traction at beach

When he used to own a Balboa Peninsula bike shop, Don DiCostanzo started making his own custom electric bikes for customers after he couldn’t find any he liked.

Now he hopes that Pedego, the bike company he started in 2007 with a college friend, will become the industry standard for electric bikes.

“In e-biking, there isn’t anything in terms of a brand like the Blackberry or iPod yet, and that’s what we hope to be,” DiCostanzo said.

DiCostanzo’s electric beach cruisers are catching on in Newport Beach as an environmentally friendly way to avoid beach traffic and parking, said Bethany Lee, director of operations for Newport Fun Tours, 2122 Newport Blvd., which rents DiCostanzo’s bikes for $15 an hour.

“People love them,” Lee said. “They’ve become one of our most popular items.”

The bikes come equipped with an 8-pound battery on the back that can be recharged with any standard electrical outlet. The six-speed electric beach cruisers can travel up to 20 mph.

A battery-powered motor on the back wheel gives the rider an extra boost on hills and in head winds. One battery charge will typically last 15 to 30 miles, depending on the conditions, DiCostanzo said.

“We have people who come from all over to Newport who rent them to get around. People who wouldn’t normally be able to ride bikes use them,” said Deanna DiCostanzo, Don’s daughter, who also works for the company.

The bikes range from $1,695 to $1,895 for a higher-end model with balloon tires and a padded seat and handlebars.

Don DiCostanzo also has designed a portable, fold-up bike that retails for $1,395. The so-called Umbrella 16 has become popular with the local yacht set, because it can be easily stowed onboard for excursions to Catalina. He’s also working on designs for a three-wheeler, perfect for older riders with balance problems, he said.

The electric bikes are big sellers with seniors who can’t drive anymore.

“We have an 80-year-old man who bought one, and his wife keeps calling us asking where he’s at,” he said.

If You Go

Pedego electric bikes will be featured at an upcoming exhibition of eco-friendly recreational ideas, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 20 at Newport Fun Tours, 2122 Newport Blvd.