Speaking of bicycling, Pedego Electric Bikes Bethesda owner David Bondareff recently joined the BTS Advisory Committee as our “small employer” representative.
A longtime Bike to Work Day supporter, Bondareff is in his fifth year as owner of Pedego Electric Bikes Bethesda, which he opened in May 2021.
Career Pivot
“Becoming an entrepreneur was a forced career change,” said David. “I was in upper level management with a large pizza franchisee in 2020 when they decided to downsize the company top management. The pandemic was not the best time to be looking for work in the hospitality industry.”
Coincidentally, his father had purchased an e-bike a few months prior, and a friend had also bought one — specifically, a Pedego e-bike. They suggested David do some research. And the rest is history.
“I wasn’t really a cyclist before, although I did ride motorcycles in the past. I liked the e-bike feature of having the power-assist when you need it,” he said. “After trying my father’s, I just thought it was the bomb — a really enjoyable way to explore and go farther. E-bikes make you feel like a kid again.”
Wide Variety
When David opened Pedego Electric Bikes Bethesda, only Pedego e-bikes were sold at Pedego stores. The company later changed its business model, which allowed David to offer other e-bikes and brands.
That means you’ll find not only Pedego products but also a wide variety of brands such as Blaupunkt, Bunch, Hiboy, Segway, Spacevelo, Urtopia and Velotric. He carries many different types of e-bikes, including traditional, folding, cargo, and scooters.
David’s term on the BTS Advisory Committee ends in January 2029. And he’s looking forward to making the most of his service, with deeper learning about transportation planning, design and policies, and how they come together to affect the overall economic health of the region.
Supporting Safety & Multimodal Choices
“I was honored when Kristen reached out and asked if I’d be interested,” said David. “There’s a place for all types of mobility in Bethesda, and I’m looking forward to helping make downtown Bethesda continue to be as accessible as possible with multimodal transportation.”
David’s interests range from providing input about walking and bike paths to improving safety. Customers at his shop often talk about their commute, so he knows their concerns.
“I’d like to help raise awareness about sharing the road with cars as well as e-bikes and other modes, and combat the problem of distracted driving and distracted riding,” he said. “And I’d like to see more people learn about Montgomery County’s Vision Zero initiative — and of course participate in Bike to Work Day.”
