Escape the busy streets of Los Angeles and enter into the outdoor culture of Southern California where the weather almost always permits outdoor activities. Grab your bike and hit some of the many bike paths crossing the city's suburbs, parks and along the miles of beaches. If you decide to take a ride down to the coast, make sure you bring along your "beach cruiser," and if you choose to hit the hills, take your mountain bike. With rentals, numerous bike paths, and a repair shop around every corner, biking is a healthy transport alternative or a nice way to spend some spare time. Most paths are family and pet-friendly, but close at dark, so enjoy one of LA's many bike trails any day of the week.
In spite of LA's infamous repute as a sprawling unsustainable, traffic-ridden metropolis, it boasts a very large biking community with lots of organizations, events, blogs, and information for those looking to join the always-expanding population of LA bikers. Among its many events is its own version of the famous Critical Mass, held every Friday of the month, drawing bikers from all over the city to meet some fellow cyclists while working for expanded bicycle rights. More and more groups in LA are promoting healthy living through bicycle transportation, and the number of cyclists is growing, supported by events such as Bike Summit LA and advocacy groups such as C.I.C.L.E (see list of resources below).
So whether it's a relaxing journey down to the Marina Del Rey harbor, an intense mountain biking extravaganza, a family ride on a sunny Sunday, or a dedicated jaunt to improve the biking culture, there are more ways than one to enjoy our two-wheeled companion in the city.
Recommended Bike Paths:
Santa Monica Beach - This wide bike bath stretches 22 miles from Torrance through Santa Monica Beach, Venice Beach and ending at Temescal Canyon in Malibu. A scenic tour of the Southern California beach life can be observed while riding parallel to the picturesque Pacific Ocean. This bike bath is shared by many roller bladders, runners, bikers and walkers, so be prepared for the expected crowd.
Griffith Park - For those less serious and looking for a relaxing ride, this 3.2 mile path through LA's Griffith Park should be just the right match. Some twists and turns create an exciting ride along the LA River. This path closes at dark and consists of a steady traffic of runners and bikers throughout the day. A communal portal-potty is also located off the path at Griffith Park Drive.
Ballona Creek Bike Path - This nice, breezy eight-mile flat trail runs from Marina Del Rey to Culver City. A nice path for day time travel or leisure, this trail traverses some of LA's charming neighborhoods, parks, rivers, and even horse farms. Starting at National Blvd, this route ends at the harbor in Marina Del Rey, a great choice to explore with a group of friends.
Biking Resources
- Paved Bike Paths:
- • A list of dozens of routes in Southern California, as well as links to a plethora of bike-related organizations and other useful information: www.labikepaths.com/bykinfo
- Mountain/Dirt Bike Paths:
- • A list of mountain biking trails in the LA region: www.trails.com
- • A list of over 100 mountain bike trails sorted by city, in Southern CA: www.socalmtb.com
- • The guide to mountain biking including California trails based on difficulty and trail length: www.dirtworld.com
- Beach Bike Paths:
- • Information on the beach bike path that runs south from Marina Del Rey, including cyclists' comments and photos: www.labikepaths.com
- • A list of beach trails in the LA area: www.nearfield.com
- Bike Rentals:
- • Mountain, hybrid, road & BMX bike rentals in Malibu and West LA: www.bikecologyla.com
- • A bicycle rental and repair shop offering a variety of bike rentals, located on Melrose Avenue: www.spokes-n-stuff.com
- • Bicycle sale and rental shop in Newport Beach: www.bikereligion.com
- Bike Repair Shops:
- • Repair and sales shop in the heart of the city, open seven days a week: www.safetycycle.com
- • Specializing in mountain and touring bicycles, located 12 miles from Santa Monica Pier: www.topangacreekbicycles.com
- • Bicycle Kitchen, the first do-it-yourself repair shop in LA: www.bicyclekitchen.com
- Maps and Routes:
- • A list of bike paths all over LA: www.labikepaths.com
- • Everything you need to know about biking around the city, including parking, maps, and a guide to riding the metro: www.mta.net/around/bikes/bikes-metro
- • Routes for getting around the city, provided by bicyclists themselves: www.cicle.org
- Biking Organizations and Advocacy Groups
- • Cycle: www.cicle.org
- • LA Bike: www.la-bike.org
- • Bike Side LA: www.bikesidela.org
- • Bicycle Fixation: www.bicyclefixation.com
- • Flying Pigeon LA: flyingpigeon-la.com/
- • High Desert Cyclists: www.highdesertcyclists.com/
- • Midnight Ridazz Bicycle Club: www.midnightridazz.com/
- Biking Events:
- • An event held in June aimed at "building a better bike-able LA-County": www.la-bike.org/events/los_angeles_river_ride
- • An annual traveling event featuring films with all styles of biking: www.bicyclefilmfestival.com
- • A biking social network with an open calendar for bikers to post events: www.bikesidela.org
- • Large open bike ride, every Friday of every month: www.santamonicacriticalmass.ning.com
- • An annual event (so far) that brings bicycle supporters together to promote healthy living: www.bikesummitla.wetpaint.com
- • Event allowing patrons to bike the LA Marathon course before the start: www.acuralabiketour.com
- Safety Tips:
- • The dos and dont's of biking in LA: www.bicyclela.org
- Biking Blogs:
- • Los Angeles Cycle Chic: lacyclechic.blogspot.com
- • Bike Oven: bikeoven.com/
- • Cyclelicious: www.cyclelicio.us
- • Biking in LA: bikinginla.wordpress.com/
- • SoapBox LA: soapboxla.blogspot.com
- • Bike Date: bikedatesantamonica.blogspot.com
- • Bike Girl: www.bikegirlblog.blogspot.com/
- • Adventures of a Car-Less Valley Girl: carlessvalleygirl.blogspot.com/
- • Life Without Wheels: www.lifewithoutwheels.com/
- • Los Angeles by Bike: www.losangelesbybike.com/
- • No Whip: nowhip.blogspot.com/
- • The Path Less Pedaled: pathlesspedaled.com/
