THE future of cycling is electric bikes and the stereotype of them being a lazy option is not true, says Jacob Kirby who has opened a specialist shop in Marlborough.

The 30-year-old, who lives with his girlfriend in Edgeworth in Gloucestershire, has seen sales soar since he opened eCycleUK in Stroud, and because of the demand has branched out with a new shop in Hughenden Yard, Marlborough and wants people to pop down and give the bikes a try.

“It all started about four years ago as I have an ordinary bike shop in Stonehouse,” said Mr Kirby, who has been self-employed since he was 18.

“I saw electric bikes starting to come over from Europe and it is a market that is growing hugely. One in four bikes there are electric, so we wanted to get ahead of the pack here.”

The new eCycleUK Marlborough shop, which is one of only two electric bike shops in Wiltshire, stocks bikes that are suited to people of all abilities and terrains.

One of Mr Kirby’s customers includes a man whose leg was amputated after a car crash. He has an artificial leg and uses the electric bike without the worry of getting too sweaty and his prosthetic slipping off.

Electric bikes are the same as normal bikes but they have a motor or battery, as well as sensors in the pedals which adjust to pressure to give cyclists added power, but fitness fanatics should not be put off.

“It’s not cheating,” Mr Kirby added. “Because you still get exercise - you still have to pedal, you just get a bit of powered assistance.

“It opens a lot of opportunities to people, especially people who have been cycling a lot during their life and are now finding it a strain on their knees, joints or body.

“All the bikes in the shop are demos and people can come in and take the bikes out. Everyone who does always comes back with a smile on their face and people won’t get that same experience just looking on the internet."

eCycleUK in Marlborough can be contacted on: (01672) 288050 and is open Tuesday to Saturday 9am to 5.30pm.