June 18, 2020 - (Guelph, ON) Since 1993, The Wike Bicycle Company, has been manufacturing bike trailers, cargo bikes and stroller bikes to suit a variety of commuter needs. The walk and bike company started by Bob Bell began when he built his first bicycle trailer in his basement out of a personal need. Bell didn’t have a car, but needed to transport items around town.
The award-winning company based in Guelph, Ontario, ships products around the world and proudly claims to be North America’s largest manufacturer of bicycle trailers.
“We’ve been at this over 30 years,” says Bell. “About 90% of our sales are outside of Canada. We’re currently up more than 200% because of the pandemic crisis and the overwhelming popularity of cycling that followed. Much of what we and many others have been talking about for decades is now rapidly resonating around the world because of the coronavirus.”
The company’s unique cycle/stroller Salamander won a 2018 Eurobike award in the Special Purpose Bikes category. Inspired by active transportation, the innovative design allows the Salamander cargo bike the ability to quickly swap between a cargo bike and a double child stroller with minimal effort.
Built to regulation, with dimensions similar to a typical stroller, the one-of-a-kind Salamander, fits through most door and hallways, meaning you can take it into malls, the grocery store, etc. Built without proprietary parts, it can be serviced hassle-free by a normal bike shop.
According to Wike’s web site, “We are now offering the option of adding a factory installed electric-assist motor, Shimano E6000 mid-drive, to our Salamander cargo bike stroller. In addition to having e-assist, the updated Salamander now has the capability of transporting 3 children; two in the pod and one on the rear of the bicycle. With increased carrying capacity we have also upgraded to disc brakes front and rear. We have also enhanced the conversion from bicycle to stroller; with the pivot points now all using precision ball bearings, the conversion is now smoother, easier and faster! The eSalamander is a dream come true for any family on the move!”
This remarkable e-cargo bike easily and amazingly converts in about half a minute as demonstrated by the video on Wike’s website. “We’re pretty excited about the Salamander and being recognized with such a prestigious award… people get the hang of it pretty quickly,” adds Bell who is also a Guelph city councilor, first elected in 2006 and re-elected twice.
A well-known advocate for cycling infrastructure, Bell’s two worlds collide when he sees his neighbours out on the trails at home using one of his products. “Of course we’d love to see more people on bikes and it’s great to see that more governments everywhere are paying more attention and willing to take the necessary steps. One of the critical factors to get more people out on bikes is safety. Lowering the speed limits of cars is a first key step in achieving this goal. It clearly works and it’s relatively easy and cost-effective to implement,” he explains.
“Educating city engineers and planners is also critical at the outset because the fundamentals at those levels aren’t in place yet, but could be over a short period of time to get it right the first time, which is best for all stakeholders. Then the learning curve for cyclists, motorists and pedestrians, becomes much clearer and shorter, so it’s a win-win for everyone,” adds Bell.
With a catalogue of more than 20 types of trailers ranging from child and pet trailers to niche trailers that can tow a kayak or golf clubs, Wike is one of the most versatile trailer companies around. “Our philosophy is to enable our customers to do more with their bicycle,” says Bell. They also manufacturer trailers to tow special-needs children and are always looking for ways to set Wike apart from the competition by pushing the company to constantly invent new products to meet consumer needs.
The majority of Wike’s trailers are sold outside of North America and Bell is proud to say their products are designed and made in Canada, and sold around the globe. Bell doesn’t just want to change urban transportation in Guelph, he hopes to change the world!
For more information on Wike Trailers, visit here.
