Last Updated on March 26, 2023 by Igor Karni
Phoenix is the capital city of the state of Arizona, USA. It is the fifth most populous city in the USA and is a large metropolitan area that is also known as the “Valley of the Sun”, the “Salt River Valley”, or “Metro Phoenix”. Its desert climate and sunny region make for very long, hot summers and mild winters.
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If you are thinking of exploring Phoenix by electric bike, this Phoenix city guide for electric bikes will help you plan and answer all the questions you may have beforehand!
E-biking rules in Phoenix
According to electric bicycle laws in the state of Arizona, electric bikes are allowed to ride on any bike lane and bike path. However, they must operate at a maximum speed of 20 mph (32 km/h) and maximum power output of 750W and must be equipped with fully operable pedals.
If you’re considering taking your e-bike on public transit while in Phoenix, you will be able to do so on buses, light rail trains, and streetcars. The Valley Metro Transit System states that both buses and trains are equipped with bike racks. Cyclists should look for bicycle symbols on train windows, indicating where the rack is located.
Cyclists should load and secure their bikes properly in the rack when on either the train or bus. Riders may also stand on light rail trains with their bike, but only if space allows. There are no bicycle racks on streetcar vehicles, but riders may stand with their bike in areas with a designated bicycle symbol. For more information about bikes on transit, visit this link here!
Read also: Best electric bicycle financing options in the USA. And, Rules & regulations for e-bikes and speed e-bikes in the USA.
The Valley Metro has also provided numerous bike parking locations throughout Phoenix. Park-and-ride locations include 19th Ave/Dunlap, 19th Ave/Montebello, 19th Ave/Camelback, Central Ave/Camelback, 38th St/Washington, Dorsey/Apache Blvd, McClintock/Apache Blvd, Price-101 Fwy/Apache Blvd, Sycamore/Main St, Mesa Dr/Main St.
Station platform bike racks are located at Center Pkwy/Washington, Priest Drive/Washington, Dorsey/Apache Blvd, and Smith-Martin/Apache Boulevard.
Lastly, adjacent sidewalk/bus stop bike rack locations are at: 7th Avenue/Camelback, Campbell/Central Avenue, Indian School/Central Avenue, Osborn/Central Avenue, Thomas/Central Avenue, Encanto/Central Avenue, McDowell/Central Avenue, Washington/Central Avenue, 12th Street/Jefferson and 12th Street/Washington, 24th Street/Jefferson and 24th Street/Washington, 44th Street/Washington, Veterans Way/College Avenue, and University Drive/Rural Road.
Is Phoenix e-bike friendly?
Yes, Phoenix is a very e-bike-friendly city! And this electric bike city guide for Phoenix proves so.
Some top recommended biking routes include the Big Butte Loop, Paseo Pathway, Salt River Shore and Rio Salado Pathway, Grand Canal Trail, Valley Path, Mountain Vista Park Loop, Sueno Park Path, and Manzanita Park Path. For more information on where to ride, visit the city’s interactive bike map, where you can see where bike lanes, multi-use pathways, paved and unpaved trails, and recreational trails are located!
Wondering where to charge your e-bike? ChargeFinder has an online map that shows all electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in the city. You may be able to charge your e-bike at one of these charging ports.
If you are interested in renting an e-bike while in Phoenix, you have a few options. Smittys Ebikes offers rentals for 2, 4, 8, and 24-hour periods, as well as two-day, three-day, one-week, and longer-term increments. If you’re looking for fat tire e-bikes, Sand Highway RV offers fat tire e-bike rentals by the day.
Cactus Adventures offers hourly, half-day, full-day, or multi-day (up to one week) rental increments. Pedego Electric Bikes offers e-bike rentals and has a location in Scottsdale, Arizona, which is a 20-minute drive away from Phoenix. Rides N Motion, also located in Scottsdale, offers rentals in 1, 1.5, 2, 4, 8, and 24-hour increments.
Are you looking to do an e-bike tour? Journey Arizona Tours and Arizona Bike Tours offer guided e-bike tours around the city!
Read also: Here is why e-bikes are really cool. And, How to select the best city e-bike (with examples)?
How is the weather and city traffic in Phoenix? Is it fun to ride an e-bike in Phoenix?
Typically, rush hour reaches maximum road congestion between 7 AM – 9 AM and 5 PM – 6 PM on weekdays. As such, we recommend cyclists avoid riding the streets at these times.
Due to Phoenix being located in a desert, summertime – May through October – can get extremely hot, with temperatures frequently reaching 100 Fahrenheit (37 Celsius) and above.
Though hotel and accommodation rates are lower during this time of year, be prepared for intense heat; stay hydrated and pack a lot of sunscreen! Additionally, late summer is monsoon season in this region, bringing heavy rainfall and wet weather, so cyclists may want to avoid this time of year.
November through April is considered the optimal time to visit Phoenix, as weather ranges from the high 60s – low 80s Fahrenheit (20 to 28 degrees Celsius), offering a slightly cooler yet still an enjoyable and warm time of year. However, hotel prices skyrocket at this time, so be sure to book in advance, especially if you plan to go in February or March, since that is the time of American spring break.
Read also: How to select the best commuter e-bike (with examples)? – also in this article. And, how much does a commuter e-bike cost?
If you’re planning to visit Phoenix for certain annual events, check out Visit Phoenix for its complete list of events to ensure you don’t miss out! And lastly, don’t miss seeing the top Phoenix attractions, such as the Musical Instrument Museum, Desert Botanical Garden, Camelback Mountain, South Mountain Park, Piestewa Peak, Chase Field, Papago Park, Wrigley Mansion, Phoenix Art Museum, and Echo Canyon Trail and Recreation Area. View Trip Advisor’s list for more recommendations!
Phoenix city landscape, the best type(s) of e-bikes to ride in this city
While the city of Phoenix is relatively flat, its surrounding area comprises many mountainous regions and rock formations.
As such, the type of e-bike you use while visiting should depend on where you plan to ride. A commuter or city cruiser e-bike will work perfectly if you are primarily staying within the city.
However, if you are considering exploring any areas outside the city, we recommend choosing an eMTB (electric mountain bike), fat tire bike, or hybrid e-bike.
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 Phoenix?
If you’re looking to buy an e-bike while you’re in Phoenix, there are a few options located in and around the city.
Phoenix Electric Bike offers a selection of e-bikes you can purchase by visiting the store in person. Global Bikes, located in Mesa, Arizona, allows cyclists to buy their e-bike in person. The same is true of Sun Cyclery, which is located in Phoenix.
Smittys E-bikes offers the option to buy your e-bike online, where you can either get it shipped to you or visit the store in person. Archers Bikes has a location in Mesa where you can buy new or refurbished e-bikes and either get them shipped to you or pick them up in-store or curbside.
Lastly, Pedego Electric Bikes has a location in Scottsdale, Arizona. Cyclists can purchase their e-bikes online and get them shipped.
Read also: Buying a second-hand electric bike: pitfalls to avoid. And, Should I buy new or used electric bike?
Where can I repair an e-bike in Phoenix?
There are several options if you need to get your e-bike repaired while you’re in Phoenix!
Archers Bikes is a mobile service and bicycle repair in the Phoenix metropolitan area. The company can either retrieve the e-bike and take it back to its location or do repairs at the rider’s location.
Phoenix Electric Bike also offers complete repairs, both on e-bikes that were purchased from them and e-bikes that were bought elsewhere. Lastly, Global Bikes provides repair services for e-bike brands that they sell and can acquire parts for.
Where can I recycle e-bike batteries in Phoenix?
To recycle your e-bike batteries while in Phoenix, visit Call2Recycle to learn which locations to drop your battery off. Some locations include Exhale Bikes, The Home Depot, Lowes, Gordys Bicycles, and UBreakIFix.
Phoenix programs to develop cycling infrastructure
The city of Phoenix has an ongoing Active Transportation Program, the purpose of which is to support and develop transportation infrastructure in the town. There are plans to add new bike lanes to supplement existing bike paths.
Now that you have all the information to plan your trip to Phoenix, we hope you have a wonderful e-biking trip there!
Read also: Check out USA best travel destinations by electric bike.
Igor is a sustainable mobility and green energy advocate. His mission for Easy E-biking is to help make electric cycling simple, practical, and fun. Follow him on Facebook and LinkedIn.
