Made in Hackney: Swytch, the cycling gadget that turns a push bike into an electric bike (and back again)
Oliver working on prototypes at Swytch's Hackney Wick HQ - Credit: swytch
Each week, the Gazette takes to the streets to unearth something being manufactured right here in Hackney. This week we visit Swytch’s Hackney Wick HQ.
One of the Swytch converter packs - Credit: swytch
Inventor Oliver Montague designed and made the prototypes for his electric bike motors at Swytch’s HQ in Wick Lane, Hackney Wick.
Oliver raised £100,000 within three days of launching his crowdfunder this week to turn his dream into a reality.
He hopes the lightweight and removable e-bike conversion kit will revolutionise the e-bike market.
The kits, which either have a 25-mile or 50-mile range, can be added and removed to any bike, allowing users to switch between a traditional and electric bike in seconds, saving time and money.
Oliver, who studied engineering at Oxford University, said: “I’ve wanted to design a simple, inexpensive, convenient e-bike system for several years now.
“I’ve gone through many prototypes and visited many suppliers and am now ready to launch what I believe is a groundbreaking product.”
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The market is currently dominated by older customers, with 70 per cent of electric bikes being purchased by the over-50s, but Oliver hopes to entice younger people away from cars and public transport to e-bikes for small and medium length journeys.
See indiegogo.com/projects/swytch-convert-any-bike-into-an-ebike-electric.
