A NEW electric bike and electric scooter store will open its doors in Glasgow today.

Pure Electric hopes to provide the city with an opportunity to develop a future of electric micro-mobility.

The store will take over the premises of Cycle Republic on Bothwell Street after the cycle brand's closure was announced earlier this year.

Founder of the retailer, Adam Norris, believes that electric mobility could help cities like Glasgow tackle issues such as pollution and limited mobility.

Listing issues such as limited car-parking to congestion, he argues that "cities just don't operate properly with the number of people living in them with cars".

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But he added that interest grew as a result of the Covid-19 crisis.

He said: "It is picking up, but there was a big swell before that. It has really sped things up.

"I think a lot of people were enjoying the fresh air and realised there is a world without cars and it is nice."

As a store specialising in transport, which is considered a key service, it is able to open while following social distancing rules.

It will stock e-bikes, e-scooters and accessories, and former Cycle Republic staff will continue to work at the store now that has become Pure Electric.

The retailer will also offer servicing for bicycles "to help keep people pedalling", adds chief executive Peter Kimberley.

Peter said: "We have had a huge, huge interest of people especially in Glasgow about when the shop is opening.

"We do want to make sure customers and staff are safe and we are making sure [the opening] is well managed.

The CEO added: "I think the world is changing and this is part of it now. This is part of it now that people are going to look for new modes of transport."

Pure Electric founder, Adam, electric mobility will make bicycles a more attractive choice.

He said: "Electric bikes make distances or hills more pleasant. It is the hills that put people off cycling and it is the e-bikes that gets rid of that issue.

He adds: "The world is flat when you ride an e-bike."

Nevertheless, e-scooters are not quite as established as the electric bikes are becoming.

E-scooters are still banned footpaths, cycle lanes or roads in the UK, but Glasgow could become the first Scottish cities to trial them on its roads.

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However, electric micro-mobility often raises concerns of safety for both riders and pedestrians.

Adam said: "Effectively, it is making sure you are visible. You want to have the right lights and wear the right clothing."

But he also called on those using electric modes of transportation to have "respect" for pedestrians and drivers and avoid busier roads.

Pure Electric is now working on plans to open stores across Europe as part of an ambition to continue growing the business.