Electric Escapes Ireland launches during Giro d’Italia

 

 

Electric Escapes Ireland (EEI), Ireland’s largest network provider of high quality electric bike tours and conventional bike tours will hold its official launch at The Irish Cycling Show in Merrion Square, Dublin on Saturday 10th May 2014. EEI expertise combined with premium, yet environmentally-friendly Kalkhoff electric bikes have played a pivotal role in its success to date.

 

Newly established this year, EEI beat off stiff competition to qualify as one of a small number of Irish tour operators selected to showcase a Pre-Summit Adventure* for the Adventure Travel World Summit in Killarney this autumn. More recently, EEI attracted considerable interest from a number of high end overseas tour operators at Ireland’s largest tourism trade fair, Meitheal, and is currently forging alliances with major players in the US, Australia, Germany and Belgium.

 

The EEI network has a wealth of experience in the adventure tourism industry and currently has eight strategic locations across Ireland. Mindful of its carbon footprint, EEI provides Kalkhoff electric bike tours in scenic counties Antrim, Cavan, Clare, Donegal, Down, Fermanagh, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Meath, Roscommon and Sligo. Tours are carefully designed to promote national treasures such as Ireland’s flagship Wild Atlantic Way, Gleanveagh National Park, Connemara, The Greenway, Slane, The Burren, North West Lakelands and Giant’s Causeway.

 

Sales of Kalkhoff electric bikes in Ireland have risen significantly in the last three years. EEI demographics show Kalkhoff users in Ireland have bucked the trend in Europe where the majority tend to fall into the over 65 age range. By contrast, Kalkhoff fans in Ireland range from mid 20s and above, challenging the perception that e-bikes are designed for the older generation. All EEI network members are official Kalkhoff dealers and have been trained in Germany. EEI tours data supports the findings that e-bikes are attracting a younger audience, with an increased demand from hen and stag parties and young professionals.

                                                                                                

Paul Harmon, EEI Chairman and Ambassador for the Wild Atlantic Way said: “It is an exciting time for Electric Escapes Ireland. We believe we have a strong, competitive, product which is unrivalled by our competitors. EEI is going from strength to strength with requests from Irish tour operators to join the network every month. We are delighted to launch EEI during the Giro d’Italia. The fact that one of the biggest races in the world has chosen Ireland as the Giro Grand Partenza pays testament to the fact that Ireland can compete with Europe as a leading cycling destination in Europe offering stunning scenery, culture and heritage with first-class facilities.”

 

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To arrange interviews, images or for further information, please contact Charmaine Colvin on: 086 0568156/094 9060489 or e-mail charmaine@mediafastrack.com/ckcolvin@hotmail.com

Notes to editors

·         EEI will hold its official launch at The Irish Cycling Show in Merrion Square, Dublin on Saturday 10th May 2014 at 11am.

·          The network Electric Escapes Ireland was established this year by Paul Harmon, owner of Electric Escapes (Mayo) and includes: Electric Bike Trails (Leitrim), Bike Electric at All Things Connemara (Galway), E Whizz (Clare), Ireland By Bike (Donegal), Grassroutes (Donegal), Rock Farm Slane (Meath) and Causeway Cycle Adventures (Belfast).

·         For further information, see: www.electricescapesireland.com

·         *EEI is one of a small number of Irish tour operators especially selected to showcase a Pre-Summit Adventure at the Adventure Travel World Summit in Killarney (6-9th October). See: http://irelandatws2014.biz/presummitadventure/?adventure=5

·         Electric Escapes (Mayo) is the sole distributer of Kalkhoff electric bikes in Ireland. Derby Cycles in Germany manufacture Kalkhoff bicycles and are the third largest bicycle manufacturer in Europe and the leader in electric bicycle technology

·         According to a report from Navigant Research last year, worldwide sales of e-bikes will grow slowly but steadily through the remainder of this decade, growing from 30.6 million units annually in 2013 to 37.9 million units in 2020