Taking a self-guided e-bike tour through Scottsdale, AZ, is an affordable and easy way to see a lot of different places in a short period of time. Great for short weekend trips or day trips!
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When my husband and I visited Scottsdale, AZ, to celebrate our anniversary, we knew we wanted to see as much of the area as possible. We were limited on time and while we had a car, we didn’t want to spend a lot of time deciding what was worth seeing. Ultimately, we decided to rent e-bikes from Pedego Scottsdale and we are so glad we did!
The rental process through their website was easy. We chose a half day rental (4 hours) but they also have full day rental (7 hours) available. Additionally, there are height guidelines for each of the bikes so you know the right size to rent. To book your rental, go to their website and click the “book your ebike rental” button.
When we showed up, we were lucky enough to be welcomed by the owners–a couple who had lived in the area for 60+ years. After checking in, we were given a helmet and a bottle of water. When I mentioned that we wanted to take one of the self-guided tours, we were directed to a large map of Scottsdale and the surrounding area showing us where to go. We also received a printed map before heading outside for a short demonstration of how to use the bike.
Self-Guided E-Bike Tour in Scottsdale
I’ve put together a few question and answer sections about e-bike rentals at Pedego Scottsdale. These are the things I wanted to know when I was researching so hopefully you’ll find them helpful as well.
How long are the tours?
The length of the tour depends a lot on how fast you ride, how many times you stop and how long you stay at each location. There are 5 self-guided tours and you can request guided tours as well. For our particular tour (Tempe Town Lake), which was about 14 miles round trip, we followed the pathway next to the canal. To see more information about the other four tours, you can visit their website and scroll down to the “Tours” section.
What is the best time to take an e-bike tour?
We booked a time earlier in the day (9am) so that we could be back by lunchtime. I would definitely say the earlier, the better, especially if you are visiting between the end of May and September, as it gets pretty hot. With the earlier time, the path was busy, but not crowded. (Lots of people trying to take advantage of being outside before it got too hot.)
What are the age recommendations?
According to the website, kids have to be 16+ because they want to make sure they are comfortable using a regular bike. As mentioned, most of the tour we took follows the canal and there isn’t a barrier between the path and the canal in most places. To rent the bikes, you must be at least 21.
Are e-bikes easy to ride?
I had never ridden an e-bike before but after a couple of minutes, I felt pretty comfortable switching gears and moving between manual and the battery powered motor (also known as throttle and pedal assist). Something that took a little bit of getting used to is that e-bikes are heavier than a normal bike. They are easy to ride but maneuvering them takes a little bit of practice.
The best thing about e-bikes is the flexibility. You can pedal as much or as little as you want. If you want to simply enjoy the ride without pedaling, just use the battery-powered motor. I mixed it up a little bit and pedaled some and let the bike carry me. The e-bikes were fully charged when we picked them up. According to the owner, we could have used the battery powered feature for the whole 4 hours and not run out of battery.
What should I take with me on an e-bike tour in Scottsdale?
My husband and I didn’t bring a lot of extras. The e-bikes we rented from Pedego Scottsdale had small pouches on the front of the bike for holding small personal items, such as keys, wallet, phone, etc. However, if you want to bring more than that, I would suggest a small backpack. We packed our waters (2 for each of us) and some snacks to refuel since we weren’t stopping for lunch before heading back.
Just as important as water and food is sunscreen! Scottsdale gets hot and even if it’s overcast you will get sun simply because you are riding outside. Protect your skin and apply sunscreen before and during your e-bike tour.
Suggested Items to Take on Your E-Bike Tour
Tempe Town Lake Self-Guided Tour
This is the longest self-guided tour and is about 14 miles round trip. On this tour, we went on the paved bike path of the Grand Canal. Then over to the Crosscut Canal paths behind the Phoenix Botanical Gardens, The Phoenix Zoo, Papago Park and “Hole in the Rock”. From here, we continued on to the Tempe Town Lake Marina. To get back to Scottsdale, we rode up the Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt, passing through parks, golf courses and lakes into Old Town Scottsdale via the Scottsdale Civic Center.
We stopped many times along during our ride to take pictures of flowers, animals, birds and each other. One of the most unique places we explored is called “Hole in the Rock” which is a short walk uphill (not really a hike) to the hole. It was busy when we visited but everyone was considerate about allowing each other time to look at the hole, take pictures and even climb through to the other side.
Final Thoughts About E-Bike Tours in Scottsdale
In all, renting e-bikes during our trip to Scottsdale, AZ, was definitely the best way to see the area. Because we were on a bike, it was easy to stop and take a look at anything that interested us. This would have been more difficult in a car. Plus, some of the areas we rode past would have cost money to get into, such as the botanical garden and the zoo. The path we took allowed us to ride past these places and get a glimpse of what was inside.
If you, or anyone you know, is going to be visiting Scottsdale, AZ, I highly recommend checking out Pedego Scottsdale for a great experience!
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Looking for more great ways to experience Scottsdale, AZ? Visit the OdySea Aquarium at the Arizona Boardwalk!
1 Comment
This looks like so much fun!