A social enterprise in Ruthin has responded to the surge in interest in cycling during lockdown by offering to carry out e-bike conversions at cost price. All Drosi Bikes asks people to do is supply the bike.

The BBC reports that Drosi was launched last year when Wales was in its first full lockdown, founders Beth Ward and Robin Hughes giving up their full-time jobs to concentrate on the project.

It is a social enterprise, which means any profit will be re-invested.

"We could see people were cycling more,” said co-founder Robin Hughes. “They had the time, the roads were quieter and people were beginning to dust off their old bikes, which they probably hadn't used for years.

"People are beginning to learn that the great thing about e-bikes is that you can cycle further for longer. You can choose to pedal or use the motor. Either way, you are being more active yourself and you will be using the car less."

In Welsh, ‘drosi’ means ‘to convert’.

“E-bikes are really, really expensive, so we wanted to create a product that was much more affordable, for more people,” said Ward.

“We use bikes that are already in the system and we add the motors and batteries, which means that that’s a huge expense that when you are buying it, you don’t have to pay for the extra bike.”

Drosi use Tongsheng TSDZ2 250W 36V mid-drive motors with VLCD5 display screens. Prices start at £725 with an 11.4AmpH battery to £825 for a 17AmpH one.

They also do more straightforward bike refurbs and sell refurbished bikes and converted electric bikes (although they’re currently sold out). All are built using second-hand frames and parts where possible.