June 11, 2026
The Brevard/Transylvania County Chamber of Commerce held an official ribbon-cutting June 11 for Greenway eBike rentals in downtown Brevard. Jonathan Rich / Brevard Beagle
Jonathan Rich
Brevard Beagle
Thursday afternoon Greenway eBike rentals cut a ceremonial ribbon signifying the opening of its concierge eBike, eScooter and trailbike equipment rental service in Transylvania County and the occasion also allowed Brevard City Manager Wilson Hooper to provide a public update on the local section of the Ecusta Trail that many of those two-wheeled forms of transport will one day traverse.
“I’m super excited to present to you Greenway eBike rentals,” entrepreneur Charlie Purcell of Greenway eBike rentals said shortly before the ribbon was cut. “We deliver the bike straight to you along with helmets, water bottles, everything exactly where you want to ride, whether its your home, hotel or trailhead, we deliver to you. Also, we have great trail knowledge, so we can give you great recommendations on places to ride where you can see the waterfalls and experience the beauty of our region.”
During the festivities, Brevard City Manager Wilson Hooper told guests and members of the Brevard / Transylvania Chamber of Commerce that the Ecutsa Trail, a 19-mile section of paved public greenway designed to connect downtown Hendersonville to downtown Brevard, is progressing forward with the Transylvania County segment despite some delays.
The first public section of the trail in Henderson County opened July 25, 2025. Plans for the entire trail must be reviewed to ensure compliance with the N.C. Department of Transportation and federal organizations for funding and environmental standards. Limited funding was allocated for the Transylvania County section in 2020 by the Transylvania County Transportation Development Authority with additional funding secured in 2023 through federal Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) and Nationally Significant Federal Lands and Tribal Projects Program grants, which allowed the city of Brevard to start the engineering and design process.
Brevard City Manager Wilson Hooper (left) tells Charlie Pursell of Greenway eBikes and Transylvania County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tamika Hunter of the expected opening date of the Transylvania County section of the Ecusta Trail in 2029. Jonathan Rich / BrevardBeagle
“The reason it is taking so long is because with the railroad trestles, there’s a lot of environmental rules that the professional design firms have to follow,” Hoopper said in reference to the 8-mile section of the trail in Transylvania County . “Later this summer, they are going to get to 65 percent of design, which is a milestone date for us. We know approximately what the price tag will be, and so I’m waiting on bated breath to see just how much the trail is going to cost, but just because you haven’t seen any activities doesn’t mean there’s no activity going on. I promise you there are, and as of now, the opening date is early calendar year 2029.”
Hooper went on to explain that funding for the trail is designated, in part, by the federal RAISE grant which aims to create local economic opportunities by connecting neighborhoods with employment centers like Brevard’s Oskar Blues brewery and educational centers such as Blue Ridge Community College’s Transylvania campus and eventually Brevard High School.
“It’s going to create jobs once construction starts,” Hooper said. “It’s going to lure people here to support our visitors’ economy that is growing and maturing in the world. And finally, and most importantly, and the reason we are here today: it’s going to create an environment where entrepreneurs like this guy (Charlie Purcell) can start up businesses that not only have a chance to make it, but likely to thrive. And so, by having this ceremony today with this kind of business, you are helping us accomplish the whole purpose of the Ecusta Trail in the first place.”
Greenway eBike rentals offers rentals of eBikes and eScooters approved for use on greenways and approved forest service roads in Brevard, Asheville and Hendersonville for half and full-day rentals.
The new business is specifically offering delivery and pickup of two-wheeled vehicles and associated equipment at trailheads and locations of outdoor interest including Brevard’s downtown social and lumberyard districts, breweries and parks as well as Asheville’s section of the French Broad River Greenway and along the French Broad River Trail.
For more information about Greenway eBike rentals, visit greenwayebikerentals.com.