BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
Peter Eland, the publisher of Velo Vision and Electric Bike Magazine has announced his retirement from publishing, along with the sale of Velo Vision.
Published since 2001, Velo Vision has been sold to a former reader with a background in aerospace engineering, Howard Yeomans. There will be a gradual handover through to Issue 50 (Issue 48 is now the current issue), and the magazine will continue indefinitely under its new ownership.
Peter Eland told BikeBiz: “I’m delighted to be passing Velo Vision into such capable hands with Howard, and I can’t wait to see where he takes it with his fresh energy and new perspective. It’s been a privilege producing the magazine, and working with the many passionate and lovely people in the specialist bike industry. But after two decades in magazines it is time for a change, to recharge my cycling batteries, and to maybe take on a new challenge.”
Howard Yeomans added: “I am very excited to have this opportunity to become editor and publisher of Velo Vision. As a long-term reader of the magazine, I salute what Peter has achieved over the last 14 years in 48 issues of Velo Vision, and the consistently high quality of his output. I intend to match that high standard, to continue the tried and tested Velo Vision format and to listen closely to reader feedback before making any evolutionary changes. I’m looking forward to working closely with Peter over the next few issues to ensure it’s a seamless handover.”
Electric Bike magazine has been for sale for some time now, though a serious buyer has not been forthcoming, leading Eland to declare that the magazine will cease publication from the next issue if a buyer is not found.
First published in 2010, Electric Bike is a free distribution title in print and online, although some subscribers pay to receive the title by post.
If no purchaser is found before the publication of Issue 10 in late March 2015, publication will cease, although the website will continue to be maintained for some time.
Eland said of the title: “I do hope someone will want to take on Electric Bike. The UK’s electric bike industry is still only just big enough to maintain its own dedicated magazine, but it’s an exciting time from both a technical and business point of view, and the industry has been wonderful in its support of the magazine. Electric Bike has been (modestly) profitable from the very first issue, and some of the larger companies have told me that they would be willing if necessary to commit significant finance to ensure continuity of the publication. All that is required is a credible new publisher and editor. If you could be that person, please get in touch! Meanwhile, I’m looking forward to making Electric Bike Issue 10 a cracker, featuring many of the exciting e-bikes coming in for 2015.”
While working out what he’ll do next, Eland is lending a helping hand to refresh the York Rally.
