“Pretty much everything I do is about trying to find peace,” the TV star says
Ashley Walters might be known for playing intense roles in high-octane dramas like Netflix’s Top Boy and Adolescence, but off set, he looks for a life of peace and tranquillity. For Walters, 42, this looks like a long ride on his silent electric motorcycle, losing himself in the moment as he twists and turns down winding roads.
His choice of ride – made by Maeving, a British electric motorbike manufacturer based in Coventry – is perfect for those who love the thrill of a fast ride without the fumes and noise that come along with traditional motorcycles.
“I’m riding for peace in the moment,” says the actor, who has also topped the charts with So Solid Crew and been named GQ’s Man of the Year. “Pretty much everything I do is about trying to find peace.”
Walters says that he chooses to ride a Maeving motorbike for the same reason he acts: to lose himself. The actor might have been born in Peckham in South London, but he’s drawn to the kind of silence and calm you can only get outside of the urban bustle.
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“When I’m not working, I don’t really want to be around people,” he smiles, speaking from a café in Herne Bay where he’s filming a new short made with Maeving.
“I just get on the bike and ride. I don’t know where I’m going, I don’t know what I’m doing. I just ride and get myself back to where I need to be.”
Walters’ ride of choice is Maeving’s RM1S: an electric motorcycle with no gears, no noise, and no emissions, making it a smooth, clean ride that’s as kind on the environment as it is on Walters’ mental state.
“It reminds me of skydiving. After free-falling when the parachute opens—it’s just quiet, it’s just you, and you really feel like you’re flying,” he says.
The RM1S model starts at £7,495, has a range of 80 miles on a single charge, and can reach up to 70mph. The bike comes with a 2-year warranty and 14-day money back guarantee.
Maeving’s motorbikes show how petrolheads can get all of the thrills of hitting the road while enjoying the benefits of zero-emission transport. In cities, an electric motorbike is a convenient and fun way to get around, and there’s real joy to be had in letting them rip in the countryside, too.
There are two different electric bikes available from Maeving currently: the RM1S, which Walters rides, and the RM1 which starts from £4,995. Both have a removable battery that riders can charge from any normal three-pin socket, and are stylish and functional with a vintage feel combined with modern eco-friendly technology.
Electric vehicles as a whole are becoming much more popular in the UK, with charging points more readily available and clean air initiatives like London’s ULEZ encouraging drivers and riders to go green.
Bikers don’t need to miss out on the green revolution, as there are plenty of brands offering electric motorbikes. Fans of the iconic Harley Davidson could invest in one of the brand’s Livewire Electric Motorcycles, such as the thrilling S2 Alpinista which starts at £17,390. This ride packs a punch, going from 0-60mph in three seconds, and looks just as cool as Harley’s petrol counterparts.
Kawasaki, another notable motorcycle brand, also has eco offerings such as the Kawasaki Ninja e-1. Coming in a cool lime green and silver colour combination, this £4,299 zero-emission motorbike is lightweight, has removable batteries, and and boasts an e-boost function where riders can access increased power – and a higher top speed – for 15 seconds.
Maeving customers have shared their views on the innovative motorcycles on Trustpilot, as one rider said: “I have a 32-mile commute to work, and it’s a joy to ride this bike. I never write reviews, (but) I needed to do this as found everything faultless, it’s just pleasant to have such good customer service,” they added.
Another biker said of the RMS1 model: “The bike seems good quality so far. The ride and seat are less comfortable than my mountain bike but, to be fair, the RMS1 goes a lot faster uphill. I suspect it will last well but obviously too early to tell.”
However, they did note an issue with speed: “The speedometer is optimistic, to say the least. The highest speed setting (‘S’) will get you to around 60mph consistently, maybe even 65 if the conditions are good, but it drains the battery a lot faster than the lower settings.”
See more of Ashley Walters’ interview and his collaboration with the brand on the Maeving website. Meanwhile, customers can book a free test ride on a Maeving bike here.