Attract New Guests by Welcoming E-bikes

At Unique Cottages, we want to make sure you’re always kept up to date with the latest trends we’re seeing across our portfolio. One of the most exciting opportunities right now is the rise of e-bikes. More guests are choosing them as a way to explore Scotland, and properties that can cater for cyclists — especially by offering simple charging facilities — are standing out from the crowd. By embracing this trend, you can tap into a growing market and attract new guests.

Over the last 15 years, more and more customers have been bringing their bicycles on holiday. Whether it be for specific mountain biking routes or just to tootle around the local area taking in the sights, secure bike storage is now in the top 20 most search for property features on our website.

VisitScotland research shows that cycling is a key motivator for many holidaymakers — and this fits closely with the guests who choose Unique Cottages. Making your property as cycle-friendly as possible is therefore a great way to increase its appeal. With the growing popularity of e-bikes, an increasing number of guests are now exploring Scotland on two wheels, creating new opportunities for owners who can provide simple charging facilities.

When referring to E-bikes we’re referring to EAPCs (electrically assisted pedal cycles), not electric motorbikes, which are considered to be electric vehicles along with electric cars and electric mopeds/scooters. They are more or less a regular bike with the addition of a motor to assist progress. E-bikes are speed limited and as such do not require to be registered, taxed or insured even if being used on the road. They also have very different charging requirements when compared to electric vehicles.

Although it is possible to charge an electric vehicle using a standard AC power plug it would take anything from 6-12 hours to achieve full charge, it is also generally not recommended to do frequently and most manufactures advice that standard AC power charging (level 1 charging) only be used in emergency circumstances.

E-bikes are specifically designed to be charged using a standard AC power plug and an average e-bike battery typically takes 2 to 5 hours to charge to full. The amount of electricity used is also significantly different with the typical charging power for an E-bike being 0.1- 0.25kW as opposed to 3-11kW for an electric vehicle. In essence this means that charging an E-bike has negligible impact on a home electrical supply, and is actually less than most laptops.

Power-assisted bicycles allow more users to go further and explore more, and as E-bikes become more affordable they are attracting users who may not have otherwise choose to cycle. Our stats show that many of these new users are also keen on taking self-catering holidays in Scotland! If your property doesn’t already offer secure bike storage (a top-20 search feature) not only will this be embraced by new e-bike users but you will also become a preferred property for cyclists of all types.

Our booking conditions state that, where utilities are included, they are subject to a fair usage policy applicable to domestic household use only (excluding vehicle charging). Recently, we’ve had guests asking whether charging their e-bikes is allowed at the property they want to book — and in many cases, their decision to book depends on the answer.

If you have any queries or questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Many owners are already embracing e-bikes, and we recommend you do too. It’s a small step with big rewards — helping your property stand out, attracting a growing market of cycling enthusiasts, and ultimately boosting bookings. By welcoming e-bikes, you’re giving your guests more freedom to explore Scotland — and giving your property the edge when they choose where to stay.