In the past year, cycling has become more popular than ever, both as a form of exercise and an alternative method of transport. In fact, bike sales have soared across the world, and many major cities are beefing up their cycling infrastructure to accommodate this new trend. Beyond the fun factor, there are some excellent health benefits of traveling by bike. According to Harvard Medical School, not only does cycling provides an aerobic workout and trigger the body’s feel-good endorphins, but it’s also easy on the joints, builds muscle, increases bone density, and helps with everyday activities. DTLA boasts some of the best bicycle shops and bike services around, many just short distance from Circa. You’ll also find easy access countless bike trails from the mountains to the ocean. So put your pedal to the metal and discover cycling in LA.
LA River Glendale Narrows and Elysian Valley Path
The Los Angeles River is host to a Class 1 bicycle and pedestrian path that runs 51 miles from Canoga Park to the Port of Los Angeles, but the most bike-centric activity is along the Glendale Narrows and Elysian Valley Bicycle Path, which cuts through Frogtown near DTLA. This 7.4 mile path, which goes from Victory Boulevard and Riverside Drive to Elysian Valley’s Egret Park, takes you along one of the nicest soft-bottom sections of the river. Although there are concrete and freeway-close areas, the best parts pass through a prettier, greener segment, ending near the spot where the city of Los Angeles was founded. The upper part of the route, which passes through the Glendale Narrows, offers unfettered views of the majestic San Gabriel Mountains.
The 8 Best Bike Rides In Los Angeles
From the mountains to the beach, and everywhere in between, you can pedal your way across the city and enjoy almost endless biking opportunities. Take a ride along the coast on the Marvin Braude/Pacific Coast Bike Path or venture up to Cogswell Dam, tucked in the San Gabriel Mountains above Azusa. Closesr to home, you’ll find biking aplenty in Griffith Park or the Rose Bowl. So pack your favorite snack, strap on your water bottle and start exploring.
DTLA Bikes 425 S Broadway Los Angeles, CA 90013
What started as an underground basement shop on Broadway has emerged into the premier bicycle shop in Downtown Los Angeles. Located in an 18,000 square foot shop spanning three floors, DTLA Bikes is a cycling destination for fixed gear messengers, urban commuters, weekend warriors, hard core roadies, and leisure riders alike. The shop has over 500 bicycles in stock, including Aventon Electric Bikes, along with thousands of accessories. The knowledgeable staff members, who love to ride to work, include skilled mechanics and service techs.
Tokyo Bike Row DTLA 1320 E 7th St #120 Los Angeles, CA 90021
Tokyo Bike is a small, independent bicycle company founded in 2002 in the quiet Tokyo suburb of Yanaka, Japan. Based on the concept of Tokyo Slow, the bicycles are designed to explore the places you love and call home. With a Tokyo Bike, it is as much about the journey as the destination. Private shopping by appointment only. Book appointment HERE
Just Ride L.A. 1626 S Hill St. Los Angeles, CA 90015
LA made and family-owned, Just Ride L.A. is more than just a cycling shop, it’s a lifestyle. Established in downtown Los Angeles in 2008, Just Ride has been the go-to destination for Los Angeles’ active city cycling community. From small-scale repairs to the highest quality bikes on the market, this award-winning store is a one-stop shop for all of your cycling needs.
Hoopty Bikes 305 E 9th St. #219 Los Angeles, CA 90015
Hoopty Bikes is a mobil bike repair shop for all types of bicycles, including ebikes, classic 10-speeds, basic commuters, and beach cruiser. Founder Chris Duncan, an X Games pro BMXer, mountain biker, and master bicycle mechanic, started Hoopty Bikes in 2009 in the heart of San Francisco’s cycling scene after developing a love of restoring vintage road bikes. In 2015, he moved the company to Los Angeles and grew Hoopty Bikes into a full-service mobil repair center, along with sales of vintage road bikes. To book an appointment, just text a picture of your bike with your location to 310-308-0252
Topanga Creek Outpost 1273 N Topanga Canyon Blvd. Topanga, CA 90290
Topanga Creek Outpost has been building quality custom bicycles since opening their shop over fifteen years ago. They offer customized bicycles crafted with the highest standards based on your needs, budget and style to make each bike uniquely yours. The friendly staff will guide you through the entire process, from initial design to component specification and work completion, with a straight approach and open communication. They are also an authorized Los Angeles dealer for complete bicycles, bicycle frames, parts and accessories.
Turn any bike into an ebike with CLIP, a new design which attaches to the front wheel of a bike in seconds. Two arms lock around the bike’s fork and the other end connects with the front of the wheel. A tiny controller attached to the handlebars has a button that you can push to boost your bike’s speed as you pedal up a hill with a maximum speed of 15 miles per hour. Optimized for the urban commuter, CLIP is as light as a laptop, fits in your backpack, and looks great charging on your desk. Activate CLIP when you face an uphill climb or to coast that last stretch to your destination. CLIP.bike is based in Brooklyn, New York, with a mission of empowering the world to adopt biking as their primary choice for urban mobility.
Spinlister Bike Rentals 12575 Beatrice St. Los Angeles, CA 90066
Spinlister is a global bike rental and sharing service that provides a platform to connect bike owners with active people looking to rent or borrow around the world. Through their service, owners list their bikes, renters search for a bike in whatever area they want, and complete the rental process easily through their website, mobile app, or in-store kiosks. they even offer various protection options and delivery services to make everyone happy.
Photo credits:
Photo #1: DTLA Bikes
Photo #2: Spinlister
Photo #3: Topanga Creek Outpost
Photo #4: DTLA Bikes
Photo #5: Tokyo Bike
Photo #6: Just Ride LA
Photo #7: Hoopty Bikes
Photo #8: Topanga Creek Outpost
Photo #9: CLIP.bike
Photo #10: Spinlister Bike Rentals
