More to the Story with Staley: Local E-Bikes

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — At one time or another in our youth, just about all of us learned how to ride a bike. But bicycles have come a long ways over the years.

And for one Chattanooga company, the “future is now.”

It opened in November, this little shop on McCallie Avenue. And its grand opening is just around the corner.

The Chattanooga Electric Bike Company is owned by John Mantha and his wife Diana Davies.

John’s always been into bikes. But after a serious accident, he found that electric was the way to go!

“Riding a regular bike was difficult,” Mantha said. “As soon as I tried electric bikes it solved all of that. It made me love bicycling all over again.”

This shop stands alone. Because as we speak, it’s the only locally founded e-bike company in Chattanooga. Others are corporate or national shops.

This shop has everything for you. One can rent a bike, buy one and/or purchase all of the accessories.

The clientele is wide ranging. But one age group appears to stand out.

“A lot of people in our age group are trying to figure out if they want to stay active,” Davies said. “E-bikes give them a chance to be very active.”

The shop will celebrate its grand opening on May 3, 2023. The couple says they’ve been pleasantly surprised by the amount of business so far.

But for John and Diana, it’s not just about a business. It’s much more.

“This is our retirement gig. But it’s about community for us,” Mantha continued. “It’s about working for things such as better bike lanes. Things like that. It’s about progressing the world of e-bikes.”

Mantha said he sees a day when everybody will be riding bikes with solar panels. When it’s not only about convenience, but the environment.