Today we’d like to introduce you to Mike Hauser.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Mike. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My story with electric bicycles starts a few years ago, in 2013, with several coincidences. I had graduated from an MBA program and was very interested in starting my own business.
A family visit to Germany – where I grew up – that year coincided by pure chance, I had not planned it with Eurobike, Europe’s biggest bicycle trade show. I went to the show, just for the fun of it. The show had the expected mix of bicycles with a lot of emphasis on high-end sports bicycles. But it had even more of something else: electric bicycles. It was clear that the market had entered an explosive growth stage in Europe.
That day I tried out my first electric bike and was absolutely blown away! Riding an electric bicycle is everything a regular bicycle is – just better.
When I came back to the US I started researching the electric bicycle market on this side of the pond. The US seemed to be a few years behind the trend in Europe. I became convinced that there was an opportunity. It also aligned nicely with several of my interests like exercise, conserving energy and being green, and, of course, bicycles.
After considering several options we – my wife and I – chose to be become an exclusive dealer for Pedego Electric Bikes, the leading brand of electric bicycles through a combination of the quality of their bikes, the way they stand behind their product and the support they were giving to their customers and – important for us – their dealers.
That was almost three years ago. We opened our doors in September of 2014 and have not looked back.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
In the beginning it was harder than we expected to explain what an electric bicycle is. A good number would call it cheating to use an electric bicycle.
Now we can see the market changing – more and more people ride bicycles for transportation or just for the fun of the ride and you can’t cheat on those things.
Pedego Boston – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
We are an exclusive dealer for Pedego Electric Bikes. This also makes us Boston’s oldest bicycle dealer that focuses on electric bicycles. We sell and rent Pedegos and can repair anything that could break on them.
A lot of other dealers are focused on bicycles for sports. We understand the different needs of someone who is looking for an electric bicycle. Our focus is on the fun an electric bicycle can bring – there is really nothing like it – and on how you can combine this fun with your commute.
I’d like to think that we are known for our friendly atmosphere and our service. We have the full line of Pedego bicycles in stock at all times and they are available for test rides. We also offer pickup and delivery service or – if possible – on-road repair in the Boston area.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
To have my own successful business in an area I believe in. We are changing people’s lives by giving them the opportunity to be more active.
Pricing:
- Our new electric bicycles range in price from around $2,500 to $4,000
Contact Info:
- Address: 444 Common Street
Belmont, MA 02478 - Website: www.pedegoboston.com
- Phone: 617-230-8193
- Email: mike@pedegoboston.com
- Facebook: Pedego Electric Bikes Boston @bostonpedego
- Twitter: @bostonpedego
- Yelp: Pedego Electric Bikes Boston
Image Credit:
Pedego Boston
