On my second day at ZAP I was given a Power Bike. I was thrilled. My very own electric bike. I was going to need it. I was living ten miles away in an idyllic pad, kindly let out to me for free by a benevolent ZAP employee among the vineyards. I have never enjoyed the daily commute so much. Spectacular scenery but with inclines like I'd never experienced before.
The first hill was a killer, practically vertical, but with the flick of a switch the electric power assist kicked in and I scaled the obstacle before me with ease. It was such fun!.I would always attract lots of interested stares and double takes like the ones made by the drunk guy in films who sees something preternatural and in disbelief looks at his bottle of beer as if to seek an explanation: How come I was negotiating such a steep hill looking so relaxed and laid back. And in such intense heat? I loved the attention my bike drew.
The electric bike has also proved a major hit with the local police force. Given the choice, they prefer this over their regular bikes - maximum speed for minimum effort and because it's so quiet they have more success catching criminals! Check out my interview with Sebastapol cop! Will we see the Met in London with one of these soon I wonder?
Kept thinking of the Private Eye caption I'd seen online recently of John Prescott our pro-innovation pro-technology Transport MInister on a mountain bike with the caption: "The quickest way to get to your car!" Very funny!
And so I spent 5 blissful weeks at ZAP, happy in the knowledge that I was part of a company working to RrrEV up the transport revolution. Happy Days..!