Los Angeles by Electric Bike, The Complete City Guide

Last Updated on March 26, 2023 by Igor Karni

Los Angeles, often referred to as L.A. is a city located in California, United States. It is the second-largest city in the U.S. and is known for its warm coastal weather, a rich variety of habitats (including beaches, mountains, and wetlands), economic and cultural diversity, the Hollywood film industry, and much more. 

If you are thinking of exploring Los Angeles by electric bike, look no further; this article will answer all your questions and help to prepare you for your trip! 

E-biking rules in Los Angeles   

Before riding your e-bike in L.A., you must first know the rules and regulations surrounding e-bikes in the city. Firstly, in California, electric bicycles are known as “motorized bicycles”, and while they are primarily subject to the same rules as traditional bicycles, a few additional rules apply: 

• Riders must be over 16 years old and wear a proper helmet 
• E-bikes must not exceed the maximum speed of 20 mph or 32 km/h (28 mph or 45 km/h for Class III) 
• E-bikes must not exceed a maximum power output of 750W 
• E-bikes are not allowed on bike lanes or paths (unless the path runs adjacent to a roadway, or is otherwise specified through signage to allow motorized bicycles). E-cyclists should always ride as far right on the road as possible. 

Are you thinking of taking your e-bike on L.A. transit? Here’s what you need to know! The L.A Metro Transit, also known as the Metro, includes bus, light rail, and subway services. All Metro buses are equipped with two or more bike racks on the front of the vehicle; however, e-bikes/bicycles that are over 55 lbs (23 kg) cannot be accommodated on these racks.

Read also: What are the rules & regulations for electric bikes and speed e-bikes in the USA? And, Best known e-bike brands in the USA.

As well, all Metro trains include a designated open area which accommodate bicycles; cyclists should look for the yellow symbol which indicates the designated area. Similar to buses, e-bikes are allowed on trains as long as they are the size of a traditional bicycle, and are additionally subject to safety inspection by security personnel. 

For bicycle parking in the city, cyclists have many options to choose from, including bike racks, corrals, lockers, and bike hubs at transit centers/stations. Bike racks can be found in abundance on public streets and areas throughout the city.

Corrals offer on-street parking, with each one offering space for 8-12 bikes. Lockers, which can be rented, offer a longer-term parking solution. Lastly, bike hubs are secured rooms located at certain Metro stations, which require cyclists to register and use their Metro TAP card to access the parking area. 

Is Los Angeles e-bike friendly?

L.A. is a very bicycle and e-bike friendly city. Some of the top bike routes include the L.A. River Bike Path, Griffith Park, Marvin Braude Bike Trail (The Strand), Los Angeles State Historic Park, Chandler Bikeway, Ballona Creek Bike Path, Mandeville Canyon Road, Arroyo Seco Rose Bowl Loop, and Long Beach Shoreline Bike Path. View this L.A. County Bikeways map to further plan your bike routes! 

If you are looking to charge your e-bike in L.A., visit Plugshare to view the locations of all-electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in the city. Additionally, you may be able to charge your e-bike at certain hotels, restaurants, or cafes.  

To rent an e-bike in L.A., there are lots of options. Bikes and Hikes LA provides 24 hour e-bike rentals, where the e-bike can also be delivered to you for an additional fee. Rentals include a helmet, safety vest, bike lock, and portable e-bike battery charger.

Bike Shop LA offers e-bike rentals in daily increments, with a maximum of 49 consecutive days. Cloud of Goods offers rental services for both short and long-term durations. The Bike Center has e-bikes that can be rented in 1-hour, 2-hour, half-day, and full-day increments. Mostly E-bikes provides rentals for 2 hours, 1 day, or 1 week.

There are also companies which provide rental services through subscriptions, such as Sun Ryde which offers weekly and monthly plans, and Zoomo which offers weekly plans. The ridesharing company Lyft also offers hybrid e-bikes for rent, which riders can locate and pay for via the Lyft app.

Read also: Best city e-bikes for women, reviewed and compared. And, Best folding e-bikes for women, reviewed and compared.

Lastly, the L.A. Metro offers its own bike-share services, where e-bikes are also included. Riders can locate a Bike Share station by visiting this website or using the corresponding app, and can either use the app, their TAP card, or debit or credit card to rent an e-bike. 

If e-bike tours are your thing, don’t miss out on Bikes and Hikes’ “L.A. in a  Day” tour, Another Side of Los Angeles’ plethora of e-bike tours, Pedal…or Not’s guided e-bike tours in Santa Monica and Venice, and LA Fly Rides’ “Hollywood Sign E-bike tour”! 

How is the weather and city traffic in Los Angeles? Is it fun to ride an e-bike in Los Angeles? 

L.A. is known for its dense road traffic, which is why we recommend cyclists avoid riding between 7AM – 10AM and 4PM – 7PM on weekdays, as these are considered rush hour times. Weekend nights can also face heavy traffic, particularly going in and out of downtown L.A. and Hollywood. 

The best time of year to visit Los Angeles is between March through May (spring) and September through November (fall). This is because the weather is not as hot or smoggy during these seasons as it is in summer (which frequently reaches the mid 80s Fahrenheit), and there are also fewer crowds and cheaper accommodation rates.

The average temperatures range from the low 50s to the low 80s Fahrenheit (10 to 29 degrees Celsius), making for pleasant weather for visitors to comfortably enjoy the sights of L.A. However, if you are traveling to L.A. for certain events or festivals, be sure to cross-reference Discover Los Angeles’ list of Annual Events in Los Angeles to see what time of year they take place. 

Read also: Can e-bikes get wet? And, How to clean an electric bike?

And while you’re visiting the City of Angels, don’t miss out on all the top sights and attractions! This includes The Getty Center, Griffith Observatory, Universal Studios Hollywood, The Broad, Staples Center, Griffith Park, La Brea Tar Pits and Museum, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Runyon Canyon Park, the Hollywood Sign, and much more. View Trip Advisor’s full list here! 

Los Angeles city landscape, the best type(s) of e-bikes to ride in this city

Since L.A. is a city built between two mountain ranges and a peninsula, this metropolis includes diverse geography of landscapes, with some areas providing flatter terrain and some areas being quite hilly, steep, and mountainous. 

As such, the type of e-bike you use for your trip depends entirely on the type of cycling you plan to do. If you are primarily looking to stick to flat and paved routes, a city cruiser or commuter e-bike is suitable.

However, if you are planning to explore L.A.’s mountainous regions, we highly recommend getting an electric mountain bike (eMTB). If you are hoping to tackle various landscapes within the city, a hybrid e-bike will also do the trick! 

Read also: Why fat tires are good news for electric bikes? And, How to select the best hybrid e-bike?

Where can I buy an e-bike in Los Angeles? 

There are a few different places where you can buy an e-bike in Los Angeles! 

For an option where you can either buy online and have the e-bike shipped to you, or purchase online and pickup in-store, visit Bike Attack Electric+. LA Fly Rides also offers the option to ship your e-bike to you, but you can also book a test ride to try out the e-bike in person before purchasing.

For physical stores where you can browse e-bike options online but will need to go in person to purchase or pick it up, check out Electric Bikes L.A., Velo Pasadena, Mostly E-bikes, and The Bike Center. 

Read also: Best e-bike financing options in the USA. And, Top trusted electric bike brands in the USA. And, Top specialized e-bike insurance companies in the USA.

Where can I repair an e-bike in Los Angeles?

While you’re in L.A., there are many companies that provide e-bike repairs! 

Mobile Bike Pros is a mobile e-bike repair service that comes directly to your home, business, or elsewhere in L.A. where you need a fixup. Cyclists simply need to fill out a form online to request these services. At Mostly E-bikes, services include Minor Tune, Major Tune, and a 300 Mile E-bike Evaluation. Electric Bikes LA provides full e-bike repair services, as does West Los Angeles Bicycle Service. 

Additionally, if you bought your e-bike from LA Fly Rides, you can request their repair services by filling out a form online; Electric Bike Attack also offers repair services if you have purchased your e-bike from them. 

Where can I recycle e-bike batteries in Los Angeles? 

If you are looking to recycle your e-bike battery while in L.A., access Call2Recycle’s online map to learn where you can safely dispose of your battery. Some of the locations listed on the website include Safety Cycle, The Home Depot, LA Fly Rides, and Lowes.  

Read also: Check out USA best travel destinations by electric bike.

Los Angeles city programs to develop cycling infrastructure

The city of Los Angeles actively encourages its residents and visitors to cycle, in an effort to promote its contribution to better health, environmental benefits, and keeping personal costs down.

As such, LADOT (the Los Angeles Department of Transportation) aims to make bicycling safer in the city through increased bike lanes, bike parking and repair stations, and bike-share programs. To learn more about LADOT’s bicycle programs, view their interactive map here!