In our city crammed with cars and highways, this may seem strange, even absurd, but it’s not true at all: Los Angeles is an amazing place to ride a bike.
Yes, there’s lots of evidence to the contrary. In 2022, L.A. reached a grim milestone — 312 people died in traffic collisions, including 20 cyclists. Wide arterial roads filled with speeding vehicles crisscross the city, creating a dangerous environment for people on bikes. And despite much fanfare, L.A.’s proposed citywide network of bike lanes and paths remains largely just an idea on paper (though a proposed ballot measure could change that).
Los Angeles is far from perfect. But beyond the bad news, the City of Angels has a lot to offer cyclists. From the near-ideal year-round climate to the abundance of terrain features to ride, the city stands out for many reasons, but none is more vital than the network of cyclists who live and ride in Los Angeles.
Isn’t it? Hang out in the city’s motorcycle shops.
“I’ve been biking in Los Angeles for almost 20 years,” says Kyle Kelley, co-owner of the Go LA motorcycle shop in Highland Park. “I’ve never been and I’ve felt the love I feel for Red Ciclista here. “
In Los Angeles, bike shops span a wide spectrum, from hole-in-the-wall joints filled with steel frames and parts, to secret warehouses with insider deals on refurbished bikes, to spacious stores packed with sought-after components. And that’s just scratching the surface. The city’s bike shops cater to all the disciplines of cycling, from BMX to bikepacking, and many stores host open group rides that’ll help you meet fellow riders and explore L.A. on two wheels. At these meetups, the city’s diverse cycling scene is on full display.
“People show up in a T-shirt and shorts on an ’80s road bike, and the next person’s in full spandex on a cyclocross racing bike or gravel bike,” says Shawn Wolf, Kelley’s partner at Allez LA. “It’s pretty wild.”
Once in the chair, the terrain is endless to explore. Los Angeles is surrounded by mountains: the Executioners tower over Burbank; Santa Monica stretches from Ventura County to Griffith Park; the San Gabriel Tower over Pasadena; Even urban parks like Elysian and Kenneth Hahn will offer plenty of hilly terrain. This means you’ll never be far from a challenging climb, a winding dirt trail, or an amazing view. Looking for something softer? Head to the beach (paved trails like the Ballona Creek Bike Trail offer a relaxing way to get there) and cruise along the 35km Marvin Braude Bike Trail at the edge of the waves. For Jaime Rosas, who rode a motorcycle through Elysian Park as a child and recently opened his own motorcycle shop in Boyle Heights, the area’s wealth of varied and easily accessible terrain makes it a truly special place to ride.
“I just love it because of the diversity of the city,” he says. “Even if I do a little loop or something, I never find it boring. “
Whether you’re looking for other people to ride with, an expert who can create the motorcycle of your dreams, or just need to (finally) fix that floor in your old garage cracker, those department stores can help you get there. Best of all, they’ll help you discover the secrets of cycling in Los Angeles and see the city in a whole new light.
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