Phnom Penh: Cambodia is already ASEAN’s top exporter of bicycles and the 5th largest in the world and one French-Khmer engineer looks set to boost exports even further. Srey Veasna is the man behind “Grood”, the e-bikes that are taking Cambodia by storm.

Grood was founded in 2019. Creator, Srey Veasna, still assembles most of the bikes himself, and explains that they’re the perfect mode of transportation, with no emissions, are easy to park, have low maintenance costs and give users some cardio exercise, if they want it. Priced at $600, they’re also a lot cheaper than a moto.

Grood bikes use powerful lithium batteries that can carry you along at a top speed of 32km/h, if you are in a hurry, or give you a regular bike ride if you want to take your time. Veasna sees more bike lanes coming to Phnom Penh in the future and he’s making sure his e-bikes are 100% locally-sourced and that they help reduce Cambodia’ carbon footprint.

Cambodia’s bicycle exports are growing every year, already worth over half a billion dollars annually. Two main factors are pushing the pedals: the ease of lockdown measures worldwide enhancing the desire for exercise and freedom of movement; as well as a renewed focus on the environment which is encouraging us to look for more eco-friendly ways of getting around.