EveryBody eBikes – riding for everybody

When Richard and Andrea first stepped into the world of e-bikes, they weren’t just buying a business, they were taking on a mission and starting new careers.

“We wanted to continue the vision Bruce had when he started Blind Freddy Electric Bikes,” Andrea says, reflecting on their decision to take over the business in 2019. “It was about giving people access to cycling who might not otherwise have it whether that’s because of age, ability, or confidence.”

At the time, the demand for electric bikes was surging. When the COVID pandemic arrived with COVID lockdowns, this pushed more people toward cycling, and the introduction of the NDIS had created new opportunities for mobility solutions. It was a huge period of growth for anyone in the bike industry – especially for those able to deliver more creative mobility solutions. “We could see the potential,” Richard explains. “But it wasn’t just about selling bikes. It was about problem-solving, customising, and finding ways for people to keep moving.”

EveryBody eBikes quickly became known for its willingness to say yes to the hard questions. If someone came in with a unique need, a trike that needed a motor, an adaptive handlebar, or a cargo solution, Richard and Andrea would find a way.

Andrea recalls one family who had struggled to ride together for years: “They came in almost at breaking point – mum, dad, and a young adult son who couldn’t ride a standard bike. When we got him set up and riding, the parents just cried. It meant they could finally go out as a family and share that experience.”

Richard adds: “You can see the weight lift off their shoulders. Suddenly cycling isn’t a barrier – it’s freedom.”

Floods, relocations, and resilience

Their journey hasn’t been without challenges. The shop was badly affected by flooding, forcing them to find a new home while keeping the business running. “That was a stressful period,” Andrea admits. “We were split between a workshop here, a warehouse there and the shop under our home for a while… it wasn’t ideal for the team or for customers.”

The move to Gaythorne has changed everything.

“Having everyone under one roof is huge,” Richard says. “The workshop, warehouse, showroom are all in the same place. It means customers can see the bikes, test ride them straight out the door, and we can talk through solutions on the spot.”

Andrea agrees: “The new space is modern, light, and welcoming. People feel comfortable walking in. And from a business perspective, it’s efficient. We’re not wasting time moving bikes and stock back and forth. It’s made us better at what we do.”

A look inside the Gaythorne shop and it’s clear this is more than a retail floor. While the modern show room is a great space with a range of e-bikes, e-trikes and accessories on display, the workshop is a hum of activity. There are lifts to work on the side-by-side e-mobility devices and e-trikes, and a huge range of specific spare parts and even tooling for fabrication. Everything that mechanics will need to service e-bikes through to fine-tuning custom builds.

“That’s where the magic happens,” Richard says with a grin. “Every rider is different. Sometimes it’s as simple as swapping a handlebar. Other times it’s a full custom job. But the goal is always the same – to get that person on a bike that suits them.” Whether that’s for a commute along the Kedron Brook bike path, an e-bike to ride to the shops or to take the kids to school, or a modified e-trike for someone with lower mobility – they receive the same service and attention.

One story that stands out for Andrea is of a man in Rockhampton who hadn’t ridden in decades. “He is usually wheelchair-bound and thought he’d never ride again,” she says. “When he came back from his first ride, the look on his face said it all. Forty years off the bike, and he was back. Those are the moments that keep us going.”

E-Bikes for every body

The name EveryBody eBikes isn’t just a clever play on words, it’s a statement of intent.

“We really do mean every body,” Andrea says. “We stock e-bikes for commuters, cargo bikes & trikes for passengers and families, recreational riders and travellers, and people who just want something fun. But we also specialise in solutions for people who might have been excluded from cycling before – “wobbly” riders who have lost confidence, older riders and people with disabilities, those recovering from injury or requiring additional supports to feel safe.”

Richard nods. “It’s about finding the right bike for the right body. Sometimes that’s a two-wheeler. Sometimes it’s a trike. Sometimes it’s a cargo bike with a child seat or two. Whatever it is, it should make you feel good and give you the confidence to ride.”

Their work doesn’t stop at the shopfront. Richard and Andrea are passionate about improving the infrastructure that supports accessible cycling.

“We talk to councils about path widths, bollard spacing, curb ramps,” Richard says. “If you’re on a passenger trike or a cargo bike, those things matter. If you can’t get past a bollard, that path might as well not exist.”

Andrea adds that education is just as important: “We do exhibitions, we go to NDIS expos, we talk to planners. The more people understand what’s possible, the better the outcomes for riders.”

With the Brisbane 2032 Olympics on the horizon, Richard and Andrea see a huge opportunity to reshape how the city moves.

“We’d love to see Brisbane really embrace riding as a mode of transport,” Andrea says. “Not just for the athletes, but for everyone. Imagine a city where kids, grandparents, and people with disabilities can all ride safely to where they need to go. That’s what we’re working towards.”

One element of that would be the creation of a Brisbane Bike Library – where a range of e-bikes are available for the community to trial. Examples exist in Noosa and Hobart, and are an ideal way for people to see if the mode shift works for them.

For all the talk of infrastructure, logistics, and business operations, what drives Richard and Andrea is far simpler.

“Everyone should be able to feel the wind in their hair,” Andrea says. “That’s what cycling gives you. It’s freedom, it’s joy, and it’s something we believe everyone should have access to.”

Richard smiles and sums it up: “We’re not just selling bikes. We’re helping people rediscover what’s possible.”