Electric bicycles are a growing phenomenon all around the world. In Holland, 1 in 8 new bikes are electric. This year e-bike sales in the U.S. are set to reach a record high of 300,000, doubling the numbers for 2009. In China alone there are approximately 120 million e-bikes in action.

And now the phenomenon is catching on in Australia, too!

REEF Bikes Pty Ltd, co-founded by George Kazacos and Jovan Vucetic, is one of the first companies to bring electric bikes to Australia, and they expect e-bikes to take the country by storm.

"There are so many reasons why electric bikes are good for you and good for the environment," says Mr. Kazacos. "For a start - unlike cars, they don't emit pollution or use fuel; they run on a chargeable battery with a life of approximately 50km per charge. They're incredibly eco-friendly."

"And combining pedalling with the power of an electric motor, you can easily double the speed of a regular bike," adds Mr. Vucetic. "You can choose whether to pedal normally or to use the motor to make it easier, so it is a great way for people who are older, or less fit, or have sore knees to get into biking. Not to mention making those hills much less daunting!"

Cyclists can also avoid the worst of traffic congestion, and potentially save hundreds of dollars a year on parking. Many of REEF Bikes' electric bicycles fold away easily, so they can be stored at the office while you work.

Better yet, Australia's Roads and Traffic Authority doesn't require a licence to ride an electric bike, so it is easy to jump straight into this alternative form of transport.

REEF Bikes are celebrating their launch by giving away an electric bike valued at $1,699 on Facebook. Competition entry is free, and open to everyone who becomes a fan on their Facebook page, at http://www.facebook.com/ReefBikes. The competition runs from 17th November until 24th December, 2010.