Do you also use Pick-e-Bike e-bikes in the Basel area? Professionals are in the background to ensure that these bikes are always in good condition. Pros like Peter Wyss. He checks and repairs the e-bikes in the workshop next to the BLT tram depot in Oberwil.
Peter Wyss attaches an aluminium plate to the luggage rack of the e-bike using a battery-operated drill. He uses eight screws to secure it to two metal carriers. He then mounts the luggage basket. The aluminium plate is a modification and improvement which came about through use. "From time to time, the electric bicycles fall over or get misused," explains Wyss. "The plate gives the luggage basket more stability. The gears and the mudguard are better protected if the bike tips over sideways, because the plate protrudes slightly."
On behalf of Pick-e-Bike, Wyss repairs the defective e-bikes and carries out major repairs on 350 of them. The workshop right next to the tram depot in Oberwil is very spacious. It has a large window front through which you can look out directly onto the railway tracks.
Up to ten e-bikes per day
Another two modifications are planned for the e-bikes. For Peter Wyss, this is part of his service – replacing the rusty screws on the handlebars with new ones made of chrome steel. And in future the number plates will be firmly screwed on, rather than just clamped. As a trained electronics technician and telecommunications specialist, he emphasises that "we provide customers only with safe and well functioning e-bikes." As a rule, a Pick-e-Bike is serviced every three months. The swappers, who replace the batteries of the two-wheelers, deliver up to ten e-bikes a day.
Besides repair work, Peter Wyss also does regular servicing.
"It's almost piecework," says Wyss with a smile. In general, his work is strictly and efficiently organised. The software in the e-bikes helps him, and he can activate it from a mobile phone or computer. The app shows the defects or error codes that customers report. Customers can leave a message or send photos of a defect. "That's how I usually know exactly what I need to repair when the e-bike is brought in." In terms of electronics, the e-bikes are a real innovation. "With the app and the software, they are of very high quality throughout Europe," emphasises Wyss. He also enters his work reports in the system, where the data can then be evaluated statistically.
Broken e-bike as a spare parts store
During a regular service, Peter Wyss checks the brakes, changes the brake fluid if necessary, adjusts the gears to optimal performance, tests the lights, lubricates the chain and shifters, aligns the wheels, changes the tyres if necessary, adjusts the foot pedals, and tests the batteries. He also sends defective batteries to a company in Eastern Switzerland for repair. If an e-bike can no longer be used, Wyss sends it to the "spare parts section."
"We only provide customers with safe and perfectly functioning e-bikes."
Peter Wyss
Peter Wyss combines technical flair with IT experience. He is also a passionate cyclist, riding a racing bike or mountain bike in his free time and training a group young athletes. At last year's Tour de Suisse, he was active at the Primeo Energie site. And he also runs a small bicycle factory where he custom-makes bicycles for customers with specific needs.
Once he has finished the service and removes the e-bike from the repair lift, he swings onto the saddle and rides a few laps outside. This test ride allows him to check that the e-bike is really working perfectly.
