Rent an e-bike with BCycle (the city bike share)
The easiest way to grab an e-bike is Santa Barbara BCycle, the bike share the City launched with operator BCycle in January 2021. Every bike in the fleet is electric-assist (you pedal and the motor helps), with a top assisted speed of 17 mph and front and rear lights. You unlock bikes with the free BCycle app and can return them to any of more than 560 docks around the city.
| BCycle option | Price (October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Pay as you go | $8.70 per 30 minutes |
| 24-hour Guest Pass | $18.50, with unlimited rides of up to 1 hour each |
Planning a long ride? With the 24-hour pass, dock the bike before each hour is up and take it out again. That keeps your rides within the pass.
Check current prices on BCycle's pricing page. For buses, parking and the rest of your car-free options, see our getting around guide.
Guided e-bike tours
Want a local to lead the way? Guided e-bike tours are some of the highest-rated tours in Santa Barbara on Viator. A guide handles the route and the stories, so you can simply enjoy the ride.
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E-bikes in wine country
Over the mountains in the Santa Ynez Valley, you can rent an e-bike in the small town of Los Olivos and ride to nearby tasting rooms. It's a fun twist on a Solvang day trip. Riders must be 16 or older, and you have to be 21 to taste.
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More on the region's wineries in our wine tasting guide.
Where to ride
Santa Barbara is mostly flat near the coast, and a paved path runs along Cabrillo Boulevard beside the beaches. It's the classic visitor ride: the harbor, Stearns Wharf and East Beach, with ocean views most of the way. From the waterfront it's a short ride up to the Funk Zone and downtown. The City's interactive bike network map shows bike lanes and paths across town.
Riding downtown? The City has two secure, enclosed bike parking facilities: in the Granada Garage (1219 Anacapa Street) and at the Downtown Transit Center.
E-bike rules in Santa Barbara
California sorts e-bikes into three classes, based on how the motor works and how fast it helps:
- Class 1: the motor helps only while you pedal, up to 20 mph.
- Class 2: has a throttle that can move the bike without pedaling, up to 20 mph.
- Class 3: pedal-assist up to 28 mph. Riders must be 16 or older, and everyone on a Class 3 must wear a helmet.
Anyone under 18 must wear a helmet on any bike in California. And in 2026 the City of Santa Barbara reminded riders that its ordinances ban unsafe riding on all bikes and e-bikes: riding against traffic, speeding, ignoring traffic signs, doing stunts and failing to yield to pedestrians or cars.
FAQ
Can you rent an e-bike in Santa Barbara?
Yes. Santa Barbara BCycle, the city bike share, is all e-bikes. In October 2026 it cost $8.70 per 30 minutes or $18.50 for a 24-hour Guest Pass, unlocked with the BCycle app.
How fast do BCycle e-bikes go?
The motor helps up to 17 mph, according to the City.
Do you need a helmet to ride an e-bike in California?
Riders under 18 must wear one on any bike, and all riders on a Class 3 e-bike (pedal-assist up to 28 mph) must wear one. It's a good idea for everyone.
How old do you have to be to ride an e-bike in California?
You must be 16 or older to ride a Class 3 e-bike. Rental and tour companies set their own age rules, so check when you book.
Where is the best place to ride an e-bike in Santa Barbara?
The paved path along Cabrillo Boulevard by the beaches is the visitor favorite, linking the harbor, Stearns Wharf and East Beach, with the Funk Zone and downtown a short ride away.
Keep exploring
Pair your ride with our free things to do, catch a sunset spot or plan a one-day itinerary.