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Edison Electric Bikes
Edison Electric Bikes
Overview
Overview
My name is Regie Ingram, and I have an internship with Edison Electric Bicycles. My mentor is Ryan Hersh, who is the founder of Edison. I started my internship on September 1st, 2025, and have been working three days per week, or 7.5 hours per week.
At Edison Electric Bikes, I worked on building bikes, fixing bikes, managing inventory, and providing customer service. There are two locations, and most of the time, I worked at the service center to do service appointments. My main role during this semester was to build new bikes to increase the inventory.
Purpose
Purpose
The purpose of Edison Electric Bikes is to create efficient and powerful electric bikes to reduce traffic and commute time. It aims to have more environmentally friendly commuting while making urban travel easier and more accessible. Edison's main goal is to make the bike feel as close to a normal bike as possible with a lightweight frame and clean, streamlined design.
My goal as an intern is to assemble or repair bikes. We ensure that every bike is of the best quality before being sold or returned to customers. I test-ride every bike I work on to ensure all components are working properly with no issues.
The equipment used during my internship includes a variety of general tools and power tools. I regularly used wrenches and other hand tools to assemble and repair bikes, as well as a drill to modify bike components. Additionally, I have used a battery tester to evaluate if batteries need replacement. I also used Shopify to track and manage inventory in the shop.
Project Deep Dive
Project Deep Dive
AirTag Holder
AirTag Holder
Some customers wanted to have the ability to track their bikes in case they are stolen or lost. In response, Edison wanted to make an addition to the bikes to hold an AirTag that can't be easily stolen or seen. My role was to create an AirTag retainer clip that could be mounted under the bike frame. Throughout the process, I had to consider factors such as durability, ease of installation, and cost efficiency.
Brainstorm
Brainstorm
One idea I had considered was creating a hinged mechanism to insert the AirTag. While this would give easy access to the AirTag, I concluded that this would have been unreliable. It would be difficult to assemble the two parts, increasing production time and costs. Additionally, with a 3D printed design, the product could easily break, especially after being under a lot of wear and tear from being under the bike frame.
Research
Research
We decided to research AirTag holders that we could use to incorporate into our retainer clips. The AirTag holders would have a perfect fit for the AirTag with a weather-resistant cover, allowing easy production of the products. We found a plain AirTag holder that we could drill a hole in the middle to attach a Christmas Tree Clip to. This will allow the AirTag to have a tight fit while being securely attached to the underside of the bike. We had to test different sizes of clips to make sure they have the right fit. A clip that is too large or small could make it difficult to remove out or easily fall out.
Result
Result
This product will now be sold to customers, which can help them find their bikes if they are lost or stolen. I contributed ideas to find the most cost-efficient and easiest way to produce this product. This project allowed me to apply the engineering design process in a real workplace and gain firsthand experience with product development.
Engineering Skills Developed
Engineering Skills Developed
Engineering design process
I used the engineering design process to create an AirTag holder so that if a bike is lost, it can easily be found.Soldering
Soldering electrical connections to replace battery management systems (BMS)Mechanical repair and assembly
I would build and repair electric bikes, ranging from replacing tires to drilling holes in a jockey wheel frame.Communication
I collaborated with a co-worker to assemble bikes efficiently by splitting responsibilities and maintaining clear communication throughout the process.
Reflection
Reflection
What was the most important thing you learned from your internship?
The most important thing I learned from my internship was effective communication. Throughout the semester, I strengthened this skill by selling bikes to customers. Each customer required a different approach, which challenged me to quickly understand and adapt to align best with them and to match their preferences. This experience taught me how to communicate persuasively and quick thinking. Developing this skill will not only help me now, but will be able to help me through college and into my future career.
What engineering practices or mindsets did you see professionals using?
Through my internship, I have seen a mindset of persistence and problem-solving. Whenever my mentor encountered problems, he would consistently seek alternative solutions. For example, when replacing the footrest on a cargo bike, my mentor drilled new holes in the frame to ensure the new footrest fit properly. With nearly ten years of experience, my mentor has endless knowledge of our work. This has taught me that being an engineer comes from problem-solving and creating new solutions, even if the answers aren't clear.
What surprised you about the engineering workplace?
Something that surprised me about the engineering workplace was how casual the environment was compared to what I had expected. My mentor was flexible because there were no strict deadlines. While we were given tasks each day, larger projects didn't always have set due dates. Some projects, such as the AirTag holder, weren't directly requested by clients within a certain timeframe. This meant that there was less pressure needed to complete projects in a given time frame. The lack of deadline stress has allowed me to put more thought into producing higher quality products.
How did this internship influence your future goals?
This internship has influenced my future goals, exposing me to mechanical engineering and showing me what it is like to own a business. I didn't have much specialized, real-world engineering experience, so the internship broadened my understanding of the field. I have greatly enjoyed this work, so I know I will have multiple options when choosing a long-term career. This experience helped me see how technical skills and entrepreneurship can work together in a real engineering career.
What advice would you give a future student in this internship?
As a new intern, a lot will be unfamiliar, and it is completely normal if you do not know everything at the beginning. You must come in with an open mind and a willingness to learn. Do not hesitate to ask questions because your colleagues have extensive experience and are always willing to help. Making mistakes is part of the learning process and enables you to grow. Additionally, you should also feel confident proposing your ideas, because your voice will be heard and valued.
STEAM Day Career Slides
STEAM Day Career Slides
On October 3rd and October 11th, my school hosted STEAM Day for the Elementary, Middle, and High School students. During STEAM Day, students hear from professionals to learn about several different careers. I gave the presentation below to both elementary and middle school students. I gave this presentation to show what students could do if they chose the engineering pathway. I also discussed my work at Edison Electric Bicycles and shared what it is like to work in an engineering-focused environment as an intern.
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