I went on this tour in September 2011 with a group of six of my co-workers as part of a “team building” retreat in Santa Monica. I was a bit apprehensive about it beforehand, as I had not been on a bicycle in many, many years. However, what they say really is true—that bike-riding is a skill you never forget.
If any city is ideal for riding a bike, it is Santa Monica ---flat and very bike-friendly with bike lanes almost everywhere. Most of the tour is on the beach trail, but there was some street riding involved, but it was very easy. The bike trail was great. By the time we hit the trail, I was more relaxed about riding, and fell in love with the electric motor. In fact, I would have been happier if I could have stayed on the trail all the way to Redondo Beach!
Highlights of the tour were the Marion Davies estate, Muscle Beach, the Venice canals and skate park. I travel regularly to the LA area for work and to see family, but I some of the sights we were taken to I have never seen before. The guides were great and very accommodating.
Helmets are provided, and there is an emphasis on safety on the Pedal or Not Tours.
I would highly recommend this tour, and I am the type of person who generally does not like tours. I travel a lot, and it is one of the most fun things I have ever done anywhere!
The only negative thing about this tour is that it made me want to buy an electric bike. Unfortunately where I live is not as bike friendly as Santa Monica, and in fact electric bikes are not allowed on the local bike trails! That said, it would be nice, if you could rent one of these bikes to go off on your own on the Santa Monica beach trail.