Freedom, Sunshine, and a Different Kind of Commute

It’s 8 a.m. on Ocean Avenue. The sun is already warming the palm trees, and instead of inching through morning traffic, locals are cruising down the bike path. Biking in Santa Monica means starting your day with sunshine, sea breeze, and the sound of waves, not honking horns.

Welcome to Santa Monica, where a new kind of movement is taking over the streets. One that’s powered by pedals, not petrol. Living car-free here isn’t just possible; it’s joyful. And it’s transforming the way people experience this iconic beachside city.

Why Santa Monica Is Perfect for Going Car-Free

If there’s any place built for a car-free lifestyle, it’s Santa Monica.

With nearly 280 days of sunshine each year, mild temperatures, and a flat coastal layout, biking just makes sense. The city has invested heavily in protected bike lanes, scenic routes, and community infrastructure that make two wheels the best way to get around.

Take the Marvin Braude Bike Trail, for example: a 22-mile coastal path that winds from Pacific Palisades to Torrance Beach. Or the 17th Street protected bikeway, part of Santa Monica’s expanding network of safe, separated lanes.

Add to that the city’s “Gold Level Bicycle Friendly Community” award and a passionate local cycling community, and you’ve got the perfect environment for ditching the car keys, and discovering a new kind of freedom.

The Unexpected Joys of Ditching Your Car

Ask anyone who’s swapped driving for biking in Santa Monica, and they’ll tell you: it’s about more than just saving gas money.

Riding a bike through Santa Monica changes how you experience the city. You notice the salty ocean air, the smell of espresso drifting from local cafés, and the rhythm of the streets. You feel connected: to the community, to nature, and to yourself.

No more circling for parking. No more sitting in gridlock while the sun sets. Just movement, fresh air, and the feeling of freedom that comes with controlling your own pace.

And the best part? Every ride is a mini mental reset. Whether it’s your morning commute, an errand run, or a spontaneous sunset ride along the pier. It’s movement that actually feels good.

The Local Movement: Biking in Santa Monica Becomes the New Normal

In recent years, Santa Monica’s cycling scene has exploded.

From professionals pedaling to co-working spaces to students heading to class and families on weekend rides, biking is fast becoming the city’s go-to mode of transport.

Local cafés now have bike racks out front. Fitness studios encourage members to arrive car-free. Even the city’s planning board continues to prioritize safe, green mobility.

This isn’t just a trend, it’s a cultural shift. And as more locals trade in their car commutes for beachside rides, Santa Monica is becoming a model for what sustainable urban living can look like.

How to Start Your Own Car-Free Journey

If you’re thinking about going car-free, start small.

Try biking to work one or two days a week. Replace quick errands with short rides to the grocery store or gym. Use apps like Google Maps or Santa Monica’s mobility map to plan safe routes.

Make it fun: find your favorite coffee stop along the way, explore a new part of town, or try different routes. The key is to make biking part of your daily rhythm. Not a chore, but a choice.

Make It Easy: Try a Monthly Bike Subscription

Worried about maintenance, repairs, or investing in a pricey bike upfront? You’re not alone and that’s where a smart solution like BikePass comes in.

The BikePass from Unlimited Biking is a monthly bike subscription. Locals get a high-quality bike, helmet, and lock for less than $2/day. No ownership, no stress, no repair costs and no hidden fees.
If something goes wrong, you just swap bikes at the Unlimited Biking location in Santa Monica and keep riding.

It’s biking made easy, affordable, and totally flexible. Perfect for anyone who wants to live car-free without commitment.

(And yes, it costs less than a latte a day.)

The Bigger Picture: Living Lighter, Feeling Freer

Choosing to live car-free in Santa Monica isn’t about giving something up. It’s about gaining something better: space, simplicity, and connection. When you move through the city at the speed of a bike, life slows down in all the right ways. You notice more. You spend less. You feel freer.

So next time you reach for your car keys, pause for a second. The sun’s out, the breeze is calling, and the bike lanes are waiting.

Discover the joy of living car-free… Santa Monica style!