Local e-bike rider rides over 30K miles, continues tradition of helping drivers
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- As gas prices continue to rise across the country, one local man is saving money by using a different mode of transportation, and he's trying to help others in the process.
Johnnie Winslow has used an e-bike as his main way of transportation around St. Joseph for the past four years.
"I rode a regular bike for years, and it got to where if I could just get up that hill was kinda how I got started on this whole thing, and it worked out well," he said. "This is my eighth bike."
Winslow owns three e-bikes, including two named after the famous star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet.
Winslow hasn’t bought gas in more than 10 years. Since switching to e-bikes, he has made it a tradition to give gas station customers money for gas every time he reaches another 1,000 miles.
"I just thought it was my way to give back," he said. "I’ve gotten things in my life, and this is my true way of giving back from my heart. It takes a long time to go a thousand miles on a bike; try it sometime."
Winslow has reached 30,000 miles on his e-bike, marking the 30th time he will give away money to help someone fill their gas tank, which is about $600 toward gas within his four-year stint.
"This is a very special day, and just think about that: 30,000 miles in town on an e-bike, and so that’s what I’m all about," he said.
Winslow shares his e-bike adventures on TikTok, where he has built a following of more than 10,000 followers.
"I take pictures and videos of a lot of stuff around town," he said. I enjoy it, and people enjoy it."
Even though Winslow enjoys riding his e-bike, he says safety always comes first, especially after he was involved in an accident on his previous bike.
"I did get run over on this bike, and it did a lot of damage, and fortunately I had my helmet on at the time," he said. "Pass that on if you see someone without a helmet, and if you need a helmet, you come and see me, and I'll give you one."
Overall, Winslow enjoys giving back to the community while having fun cruising around town on his bike.
