Interview with the Prague By E-Bike company´s owner
Focus of today´s interview is the sightseeing in Prague as advertised by one of the owners of the companies specializing on e-bike tours. Jan Brazda (54), owner of the company called Prague by E-bike, briefly sums up all advantages of this new modern way of getting to know the so-called "Fairy Tale City" both well and quickly.
Let´s begin with the obvious question: Why did you choose to start this kind of business?
Jan Brazda: When I visited some popular European cities I discovered a new product for tourists – guided tours on electric bicycles. Especially in hilly cities like Barcelona or Granada this activity became very popular.
Why do you think guided tours on e-bikes attract tourists so much?
Jan Brazda: There are several reasons. Bikes can go to places inaccessible for tourists on walking tours or bus tours. Moreover, it is sporty but not exhausting because riding an e-bike uphill is as if one was simply riding on a flat road. Such feature is a huge advantage in a hilly city like Prague.
Tell us something about your guides. What are they like?
Jan Brazda: We have a mixed group of guides. All of them have the experience in guiding tourists in Prague. They like riding an e-bike and share their knowledge about the city. Most of them are still students (their field of study ranging from history of art to ecology or philosophy).
How tough is the competition?
Jan Brazda: At the beginning we thought that segway tours would be our main competition but we discovered that we have completely different portfolio of customers. Segway tours are popular among teenagers while our visitors tend to be families, young and older couples or business groups with a limited time for sightseeing in Prague.
What attractions do your customers see on the way, what they can look forward to?
Jan Brazda: Our customers will see during their 3 hours long ride most of the sights Prague is best-known for, such as the Prague Castle with the St. Vitus Cathedral, the Jewish Quarter, the Charles Bridge and the Old Town Square as well as some of the nicest parks in Prague – the Kampa Park, the Letna Park and Petrin Terraces.
What are sales distribution channels for offering your tours?
Jan Brazda: Basically, there are two main channels. One is the online offer via our own webpage or online travel agencies, the other is a cooperation with hotel concierges and receptionists (for example in hotel Mariott, hotel Boscolo, hotel Pod veží, hotel Sheraton...etc.).
Your business is highly affected by the weather, how do you cope with that?
Jan Brazda: Good question. Last year, there were big floods affecting Prague in June and we could not organize our tours for three weeks and we even had to evacuate our office from the flooded zone. But otherwise we are prepared for any kind of weather and we offer raincoats for free in case of rain.
Do you also rent e-bikes?
Jan Brazda: Not yet, but in cooperation with our partner hotels we are considering offering this service to their guests.
And finally: What are your plans for the future?
Jan Brazda: At the moment we are very excited about adding kickbikes to our fleet and we will start offering guided tours on kickbikes very soon.
Let´s begin with the obvious question: Why did you choose to start this kind of business?
Jan Brazda: When I visited some popular European cities I discovered a new product for tourists – guided tours on electric bicycles. Especially in hilly cities like Barcelona or Granada this activity became very popular.
Why do you think guided tours on e-bikes attract tourists so much?
Jan Brazda: There are several reasons. Bikes can go to places inaccessible for tourists on walking tours or bus tours. Moreover, it is sporty but not exhausting because riding an e-bike uphill is as if one was simply riding on a flat road. Such feature is a huge advantage in a hilly city like Prague.
Tell us something about your guides. What are they like?
Jan Brazda: We have a mixed group of guides. All of them have the experience in guiding tourists in Prague. They like riding an e-bike and share their knowledge about the city. Most of them are still students (their field of study ranging from history of art to ecology or philosophy).
How tough is the competition?
Jan Brazda: At the beginning we thought that segway tours would be our main competition but we discovered that we have completely different portfolio of customers. Segway tours are popular among teenagers while our visitors tend to be families, young and older couples or business groups with a limited time for sightseeing in Prague.
What attractions do your customers see on the way, what they can look forward to?
Jan Brazda: Our customers will see during their 3 hours long ride most of the sights Prague is best-known for, such as the Prague Castle with the St. Vitus Cathedral, the Jewish Quarter, the Charles Bridge and the Old Town Square as well as some of the nicest parks in Prague – the Kampa Park, the Letna Park and Petrin Terraces.
What are sales distribution channels for offering your tours?
Jan Brazda: Basically, there are two main channels. One is the online offer via our own webpage or online travel agencies, the other is a cooperation with hotel concierges and receptionists (for example in hotel Mariott, hotel Boscolo, hotel Pod veží, hotel Sheraton...etc.).
Your business is highly affected by the weather, how do you cope with that?
Jan Brazda: Good question. Last year, there were big floods affecting Prague in June and we could not organize our tours for three weeks and we even had to evacuate our office from the flooded zone. But otherwise we are prepared for any kind of weather and we offer raincoats for free in case of rain.
Do you also rent e-bikes?
Jan Brazda: Not yet, but in cooperation with our partner hotels we are considering offering this service to their guests.
And finally: What are your plans for the future?
Jan Brazda: At the moment we are very excited about adding kickbikes to our fleet and we will start offering guided tours on kickbikes very soon.
