Electric bikes are no longer just a niche trend — they’ve become a serious alternative to traditional transportation. As more people embrace eco-friendly living, e-bikes have proven to be not only practical but also fun, efficient, and cost-effective. They're helping reduce carbon footprints while offering a healthier way to commute.

In this interview, we sit down with Daniel Tonkopiy, CEO of Delfast, a Ukrainian electric bike company that has made waves in the industry. From humble beginnings to setting a Guinness World Record, Daniel shares his journey, challenges, and what's next for the company.

Was there a specific moment that sparked your idea to start an e-bike company?

No, I don’t remember any single moment that made me decide to start an e-bike company. It all began when I launched a courier service in 2014. Our goal was to deliver online orders as quickly as pizza — within an hour. To do that, we used electric bikes. But soon, customers started asking about the bikes themselves, which distracted us from our main business.

At one point, we even put up a sign saying, “We don’t sell bikes! We’re a courier company.” That’s how far from the idea of starting a bike company I was. But after some time, we realized we could actually sell bikes and make them better than what was available on the market.

What were the biggest challenges at the beginning?

The first e-bikes we used for deliveries had a range of only about 30 miles, which wasn’t enough for our couriers who needed to ride up to 130 miles a day. So we decided to build our own bikes, and that led to the creation of Delfast.

In 2017, we set a Guinness World Record by riding 235 miles on a single charge — a record that still stands today. Before that, the best was just 50 miles. That was a huge milestone for us.

How did you come up with the idea for the new model in 2022?

The idea came from our team. Sales managers in Los Angeles told us what customers wanted, and our engineers in Ukraine said they wanted to keep working despite the war. So we worked hard to create something special — a bike that people would love and that we’d want to ride ourselves.

It took us just eight months to go from concept to production. The result was the Delfast California — a bike inspired by the West Coast and designed for the future.

How has the war affected your business and team?

War is obviously tough on everything. Many of our employees have lost homes or loved ones. Power outages, lack of internet, and cold weather make it hard to work. But it also brought us closer together. We stayed focused on our mission and even raised funds through crowdfunding in just 24 hours.

We ask everyone to support Ukraine. Whether it’s buying a product, donating, or sending supplies like power generators, every act of kindness helps.

What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs?

Never give up. History is full of stories of people who failed many times before succeeding. From the rejection of "Gone With the Wind" to Thomas Edison’s 11,000 experiments, failure is part of the journey.

Don’t be afraid to try, and don’t be ashamed of falling. What matters is getting back up and moving forward. Perseverance is key.

What are your plans for 2023?

Three goals:

1. Triple our sales.
2. Start building bikes in America.
3. Win the war against Russian aggression.

How does Delfast support Ukraine?

Since the war began, we've been supplying our military with modified e-bikes. These bikes are quieter, faster, and more durable, making them ideal for reconnaissance and transport. We also donate 5% of our sales to help the armed forces with essential supplies.

Many of our team members are on the front lines, and we’re proud to stand with them. Every step we take is for a stronger, freer Ukraine.