In 2013, Roshan Thomas was surrounded by bicycles. His garage-turned-workshop was crammed with fat-tire bikes in various states of electric conversion. Back then, his conversion project was a side hustle. But it quickly transformed into Biktrix, a Saskatchewan-based company that is now one of Canada’s leading e-bike manufacturers.
The personal service that Thomas offered customers more than a decade ago is now Biktrix’s defining feature, says Gordon Lai, head of strategy and customer experience at Biktrix. “He really was able to customize bikes towards what his clients were looking for.”
Biktrix has evolved from a one-man operation into a Canadian success story, leading the charge in a growing e-bike industry with a focus on performance, comfort, and customization.
E-bikes are no longer a niche product. Across North America, they have become an increasingly practical alternative to cars, offering a cleaner, more cost-effective, and more accessible mode of transportation. While cities in Europe have already embraced e-bikes, Lai believes Canada still has a ways to go to catch up.
“I think North America is about five years, five to seven years behind compared to Europe,” he says. “But the demand is there — just look at the BC e-bike rebate. The entire fund was allocated within an hour.”
Right now, many Canadian cities lack bike-friendly infrastructure. But as investment in bike lanes grows and cities become safer for cycling, e-bikes are poised to reshape urban mobility. They provide an affordable middle ground between traditional bikes and cars, offering an efficient way to commute, exercise, or simply enjoy the outdoors without the exhaustion of pedaling up steep hills or traveling long distances without assistance.
“When [Roshan] went to Europe and he saw in the Netherlands how many people had actually adopted e-bikes and how it completely changed the lives of many people that might not ever be on a bicycle, this enabled them to really traverse any hills, to not be sweaty when they show up for work,” Lai says. “It was really mind-blowing at the time when e-bikes weren’t a thing back in 2013.”
While the e-bike market has exploded with competitors, Biktrix stands out for its focus on customization and direct engagement with customers. Biktrix allows customers to tailor their bikes to their exact needs.
“If you want a comfier seat that might fit you better, we can do that. If you want a stem that really goes back and you have those really nice handlebars, we can do that. If you want the top-of-the-line components, we can do that,” Lai says.
That customization extends to cutting-edge technology. One of Biktrix’s standout innovations is its dual drivetrain system, designed to prevent riders from being stranded if a chain breaks, something Lai says is a major concern for off-road and long-distance riders.
“A normal bicycle, or e-bike, has one chain that just operates on the drive side. But one of the main problems with just having it on the single side is what happens when you break the chain? Then you’re left stranded,” he explains. Their team developed a motor that outputs additional power and leveraged a dual drivetrain system where even if you snap one chain, the other side will get you home.
Biktrix is deeply rooted in Canada. The company’s headquarters and R&D team are based in Saskatoon, and they prioritize working with local businesses.
“We’re as Canadian as it can get,” says Lai. “If you want a custom powder-coated bike, we use a local father and son duo to powder coat it in Saskatoon.”
Unlike larger manufacturers, Biktrix maintains an active online owners’ group where company leadership directly interacts with customers. “It’s very rare to have any owners' group where all of senior management in Biktrix is active,” Lai says. “If there’s any issues with any bike, you might see Roshan post a response at 1 a.m. or something. We’re very connected with the product that we have on hand and how to improve it.”
One of the moments that reinforced the positive impact of e-bikes for Lai came at a Costco pop-up event, where a man approached Thomas with an unexpected thank-you. “He told Roshan, ‘I don’t know if you still remember me, but I was one of those customers that bought your bike when you were in your garage, and I have to say, thank you so much,’” Lai recalls. “Roshan said, ‘Why are you thanking me? All I did was sell you a bike. I made money on it.’ And the customer told him, ‘No, Roshan, you don’t understand. When I bought that bike from you, I wasn’t doing any exercise. I wasn’t moving at all, and my doctor told me that if I hadn’t started exercising, I would be dead now.’”
For those considering buying their first e-bike, Lai has one piece of advice: test ride one. “The easiest way to nudge them over the fence is to get them on a bike,” he says. “And for that we have several locations across Canada that are owned and operated by Biktrix. So we have a showroom location in Vancouver, Kelowna, Edmonton, and Saskatoon. And test rides are always free.”
As interest in e-bikes continues to grow, Lai believes the future is bright. “The more cities invest in safe bike infrastructure, the more people try e-bikes for themselves, the more the market will grow,” he says. With rising fuel costs, worsening traffic congestion, and the urgent need to reduce emissions, e-bikes offer a practical solution that more Canadians are sure to embrace.
This is a sponsored article in partnership with Biktrix.
Comments
Heard on a pod yesterday ( volts.wtf , everybody join) that Pakistan not only put in some 33GW of informal solar last year, but that over 50% of the vehicle fuels sold in Pakistan go into 2- and 3-wheeled vehicles.
All of those are, duh, going electric, ASAP, whether Pakistan and India go for electric cars quickly, or not.
That's the kind of story that has me not worried about "climate action"; people are already catching on that this is a win, not an expense.