At first glance, there is no obvious connection between a PEDEGO store in Palos Verdes and the Los Angeles City Fire Department.
So how did PEDEGO come to donate two $3000 electric bicycles to the Hook and Ladder Enduro fundraising event supporting the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firefighter’s Fund? (Gabriele Farrar was the lucky winner in 2023 and Wendy Willson was the lucky winner in 2024). Turns out both of the owners, Jeanine Yanes and Carlos Calvillo, have deep connections to the first responder community.
Carlos is an Assistant Chief with the LAFD – celebrating 36-years with the department in June 2024. Jeanine’s late father served on the law enforcement side with Redondo Beach Police Department for over 30 years.
As Jeanine puts it: “Fire/police have always been big in my family, and we support whenever we can. I understand what tragedy means. When something bad happens, you don’t even know where to go or what to do, so when I found out about an organization that supports widows, orphans and families it was something we wanted to help. With Carlos dedicating 35 years to L.A. City Fire, it was an easy choice.”
Jeanine and Carlos have worked together for six years now. They met through mutual friends and eventually became friends and then business partners.
“I loved riding bikes as a kid,” Carlos recalled. “I was one of 12 children, so our bikes were how we got around. I grew up in Eagle Rock, near the Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association building. I got into this business because in my view electric bikes are changing the way people are becoming mobile. They are functional, they are fun and help us stay fit.”
The Relief Association is the umbrella organization that runs and administers our Los Angeles firefighter charity.
Following a career with Toyota Motor Sales, in the company’s hospitality and event marketing department, Jeanine opted to stay in California when Toyota moved to Texas in 2017. Jeanine and her two daughters had gotten electric bikes in 2016 and loved them – which gave her an idea for a new chapter in her life.
“I worked with PEDEGO and found out how to go about getting a dealership. It has been a wonderful transition because PEDEGO has the same high customer service expectations that I was accustomed to,” stated Jeanine.
For those who are not familiar with the electric bike craze, it starts with a regular bike with gears, and then it has settings of assistance from 1 to 5. As one pedals, the electric bike gives the desired level of push.
Think of it as walking on a moving sidewalk at the airport, Jeanine explained.
“Electric bikes are so versatile. They are fun, they are good for your health, and they have no boundaries. We see a wide range of people coming in.”
Visit the PEDEGO store
Secret weapon: Making PEDEGO Palos Verdes spin
According to Carlos, it is easy to say what makes the South Bay PEDEGO dealerships successful.
“The secret weapon is Jeanine,” he said with a laugh. “She is the business, really, while I am the supporter in the background, she runs the day-to-day operations of two stores. She is the president and can make the shops spin while ensuring every customer is treated like family.”
Indeed, the business is expanding. PEDEGO Redondo Beach was owned by a husband and wife. When the wife passed away, the husband reached out to Carlos and Jeanine and asked if they wanted to take on a second location.
The Redondo Beach store opened with its new ownership team April 1, 2023 meaning Carlos and Jeanine’s territory now runs from Malibu, through greater Los Angeles, down to San Pedro.
“Before the last owner died, she told her husband, if anything were to happen to me, give Jeanine a call.” Everything works out for a reason. We hope to honor her memory with that store as well and treat every guest as she treated us, with a warm hug and friendly smile.”
All the rain pouring down on Southern California during winter puts a bit of a damper on sales at times, but Jeanine said once the sun starts peeking out, traffic in the store can be non-stop.
“Palos Verdes is very hilly, so we have guests who are looking to take advantage of an e-bicycle to get them back and forth to the beach without fighting traffic or parking. It’s also an easy way to get our customers to the Farmer’s Market or to do little errands around town. We even have PEDEGO friends that commute from Palos Verdes to Venice Beach taking the coastal bike path. For them it beats the 405 freeway,” said Jeanine
“Business has been really good,” she reported. “Palos Verdes is very hilly, so we get consumers who are looking for a bike for health reasons, as well as entertainment. Many people are looking for something to take along on an RV.”
First Responders on bikes
The latest brainstorm by Jeanine was to create electric bikes with flashing lights and sirens for our First Responders. They currently provide fleet sales and service for Santa Monica, Hawthorne and Irvine Police Departments. It’s been nice to hear the success stories of how our PEDEGO electric bikes have helped our law enforcement family. We are looking forward to doing projects with the fire service, as well.”
Carlos and Jeanine explained that no other electric bike brand offers a life-time warranty on the frame and a five-year warranty on all parts and components. This includes the expensive electronics, motor and batteries. This is why they chose to partner with the Pedego brand. They expressed how they look forward to serving our first responder community and welcome you to head to the Redondo Beach dealership for a test ride. For more information visit them at: www.pedegoredondobeach.com.
By Michael Bartlett