Kelly Demoline has been passionate about eBikes ever since he first rode one while on vacation in Germany many years ago.
In fact, he enjoyed the experience so much he recently began Citrus Cycles to bring the experience to people in the mid-Vancouver Island area and beyond.
Demoline said each eBike is “pedal assisted” in that riders have the option of pedalling like a regular bicycle, letting the bike do all the work with its motor, or a using a combination of both.
He said that each eBike can reach up to 32 kilometres an hour on just the motor alone.
“In addition to free demonstrations, we offer rentals and tours of the area, as well as selling the eBikes,” Demoline said.
“Our mobile service means we can come to you, or meet at an awesome trail where you can have fun on our bikes. Call or e-mail us to set up an appointment to try any of our bikes. If you are coming to the island on BC Ferries, we can even meet you at the ferry terminal.”
Demoline said Citrus Cycles doesn’t have a storefront at this stage, but he plans to have one by next year.
For more information, call 1-888-342-0102 or check out the website at www.citruscycles.ca
Provincial minister to speak on crime impact
Mike Morris, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, will be the main speaker at a “Business Breakfast” to be held in the Ramada Inn in Duncan on Sept. 20.
Morris is expected to speak on fraud, vandalism, shoplifting and other illegal activities that can have a real impact on businesses and their bottom line.
Morris will discuss the province’s strategy to improve community safety in B.C.
Tickets are $20 each and include a continental breakfast.
Doors open at 7:30 a.m., and Morris will begin speaking at 8 a.m.
Tickets must be purchased by Sept. 13 to guarantee a seat.
Tickets are available at the Cowichan Community Policing Office, at 149 Canada Ave., the Downtown Business Improvement Association and the Duncan/Cowichan Chamber of Commerce.
Help Island Savings provide 650,000 meals
With back-to-school expenses on the horizon and empty food bank shelves in many Island communities, the Island Savings division of First West Credit Union has set a goal to provide the equivalent of 650,000 meals to Island children and families over the next three years.
Through a combination of food, funds and awareness-raising activities, The Full Cupboard is a new community investment program from Island Savings that aims to reduce hunger across the Islands.
Every dollar goes directly to 11 food banks located in the neighbourhoods that Island Savings serves.
Donors can also choose to support the “greatest need”, whereby donations are funnelled by Food Banks BC to any Island-based food bank with urgent needs.
“At this time of year, thousands of Island parents are stretched to buy new clothing and school supplies while still managing to put food on the table,” says Randy Bertsch, president of Island Savings.
“The Full Cupboard program will relieve some of this immediate need for food while we develop capacity-building programs to reduce food bank dependence in the long term.”
Financial donations to The Full Cupboard program can be made in any Island Savings branch or online at www.islandsavings.ca/thefullcupboard.
Robert.Barron@cowichanvalleycitizen.com