LocationsInstead of traffic jams — use electric bikes! How Ukraine's first electric bicycle manufacturer is changing mobility in Ternopil
September 5, 2025
Modern cities face numerous challenges, including traffic congestion, air pollution, and the need for efficient transportation. In such conditions, the need for alternative means of transport becomes extremely urgent.
The Ternopil-based company Eleek offers innovative and environmentally friendly transport solutions. With over 15 years of experience in producing, selling, and distributing electric bicycles, spare parts, and accessories, Eleek has established itself as a leading expert in this field. Their vehicles have gained recognition not only in Ukraine, but also far beyond its borders. It all started in 2010 when Pavlo Rudakevych, a resident of Ternopil, accidentally came up with the idea of creating his own electric bike.
"At that time, there was a significant change in my life. I got married. Before the wedding, I was involved in motocross and had a motorbike, but after getting married, my wife gave me a choice: either her or the motorbike. So, I had to sell it (smiles). However, I did not completely give up on the idea of continuing this activity. Once, I was driving my car when a cyclist who wasn't pedalling overtook me. This intrigued me greatly," recalled Pavlo.
This moment prompted him to design and build his own electric bike. Pavlo began searching for parts and studying available technologies. Through trial and error, within a year, he had assembled a prototype electric bike in his garage that was comparable in performance to foreign counterparts but significantly cheaper. "I spent up to $3,000 on my bike, while similar models in the US sold for $8,000," said the entrepreneur.
Initially, electric bikes were just a hobby for Pavlo and two of his like-minded friends. However, in 2016, he decided to rent a 300-square-metre space, assembled a team, and began electric bike production. Today, the company is the leader in the electric bicycle market in Ukraine, and 30 employees are involved in the manufacturing process.
"We became the first manufacturer of electric bicycles in Ukraine. Currently, our main competitor is China. There are no other companies in Ukraine that manufacture electric bikes entirely from scratch. There are those who simply assemble bicycles from ready-made parts, but apart from us, there are no manufacturers who transform raw materials into finished products," explained Pavlo.
Despite the difficulties caused by the full-scale war, Eleek continues to operate successfully. Every month, the company manufactures about 30 electric bicycles, and annual sales exceed 300 units. By 2022, 80% of the company's products were exported abroad. The main markets were Poland, the United States, Germany, Austria, the United Kingdom, and the Czech Republic. However, the company has now shifted its focus to meeting the growing demand in the domestic market.
"Electric bicycles have the potential to solve many modern problems, such as air pollution in cities, traffic jams, and high fuel costs. They help reduce harmful emissions, lower noise levels in cities, and encourage people to be physically active. We constantly pay great attention to promoting light motor vehicles among city dwellers and encourage them to use environmentally friendly modes of transport," said Pavlo.
To promote the development of environmentally friendly transport, Eleek participated in the Innovation Challenge Acceleration Programme last year, which was funded by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme with the support of the BOOST Impact Acceleration Programme team. This initiative aimed to raise environmental awareness, support sustainable development, and strengthen the economies of Mykolaiv and Ternopil cities. Twelve teams of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises were selected for the programme, presenting innovative ideas in the field of the ‘blue’ or ‘green’ economies.
Programme participants received mentoring support, business acceleration, networking opportunities, and up to $10,000 in funding to implement their projects. Eleek proposed the idea of creating the first electric bicycle rental point in Ternopil.
According to Pavlo, this project will contribute to the creation of a sustainable and modern transport system, which will directly improve the quality of life for Ternopil residents. To implement this initiative, the company has manufactured 10 electric bicycles, which are already available for rent via the Telegram bot @ELEEK_RideRest_bot. Pavlo said that this will enable city residents and tourists to travel faster, more comfortably, and in a more environmentally friendly manner.
"Our goal is to show as many residents as possible that eco-friendly transport is affordable and modern," said Pavlo.
The company also has big plans for the future; a contract was recently signed with the Ternopil City Council to build a new factory in the Ternopil Industrial Park, where it plans to manufacture 300 bikes per month.
"Nowadays, people are becoming more eco-friendly, choosing solutions that not only save time and money but also contribute to nature conservation. I believe that our products will help build a new culture of urban transport, and that is what gives meaning to our work," concluded Pavlo Rudakevych.
Photo credit: Serhiy Perepelytsia / UNDP Ukraine
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