The first time Steve Gerhartz rode an electric bike (e-bike), he knew the experience would be life-changing for many, including himself. With over 40 years of experience in the retail and wholesale auto industry, he quickly understood how e-bikes could change people’s lives and the transportation industry, especially in older cities and communities where getting around by car is challenging.
After founding Dent Wizard (formerly Dentworks), a paintless dent repair business, Gerhartz took a couple of years off before becoming an auto dealer consultant from 2010 to 2017. After hanging up his consulting hat and giving retirement another go, Gerhartz encountered his first e-bike; the rest is history.
In June 2020, Gerhartz opened Seacoast E-Bikes in Newington—going full throttle on his mission to change how people of all ages get around and explore the Seacoast. With over 800 e-bikes, Gerhartz has created one of the largest e-bike dealers in New England, offering a wide selection for various uses—recreation, fitness, cargo, commuting, mountain biking, etc.
Whether you’re looking to ditch your second vehicle or need a more economical option for running errands, commuting to work or school, or getting out and seeing the area’s scenic trails and coastline, e-bikes offer a fun and convenient way for anyone to get moving. Riders can cruise along Route 1A, starting in Portsmouth and venturing south into Rye and New Castle or north toward Kittery and York Harbor. New Hampshire Seacoast Greenway (NHSG), a new rail trail, will open up 17.2 miles of primarily off-road riding for bikers looking for a more extended adventure through the area’s coastal communities. Bikers can also find additional routes to explore and local events to attend at seacoastbikes.org.
E-biking is an excellent activity for retirees with more time and looking to take up a new hobby. “Our average customer is a middle-aged couple looking to get outdoors and exercise more,” Gerhartz said. “E-bikes make it possible for people to continue biking as they age.”
Aside from some of the more apparent benefits of e-bikes, such as reduced transportation costs and the physical and mental health benefits of exercising more, communities also experience significant improvements. Fewer cars on the roads lead to less overall congestion and reduced air pollution. Additionally, organizations with a high volume of commuters can alleviate traffic and parking problems by encouraging the adoption of e-bikes.
“Traffic at the Shipyard is a real problem,” Gerhartz explains. “Employees share that if they want to park on the base, they need to arrive by 5:00 a.m. and that it can take almost an hour to get off the base when leaving.” Many employees are purchasing or considering e-bikes as a better way to commute to the Shipyard year-round.
Gerhartz is also helping the Portsmouth Police Department test out the use of e-bikes with their patrol officers. Using e-bikes vs. a patrol car allows officers to access areas where it can be challenging to get to otherwise and respond faster, especially in the more congested areas downtown. They are also more cost-effective in the long term and make officers more approachable to pedestrians.
“E-bikes are and continue to be a catalyst for change in the transportation industry, but change is often difficult for people to accept,” explains Gerhartz. “We hope to inspire more community members to see the value of e-bikes as a viable, alternative transportation option that’s healthy and fun.”