Area Attractions: StreetVelo Tours (LA)

Los Angeles County saw a four percent bump in total tourism during 2016, according to the Los Angeles Times. That figures translates to 47.3 million total visitors throughout the year, which is a huge number and true testament to the city’s undeniable draw. With these recent figures in mind, StreetVelo Tours is now ramping up its two-wheeled tours of the city -- especially in downtown LA -- for newcomers, visitors and residents alike to immerse themselves in. StreetVelo Tours is owned and operated by a dedicated band of bicycle enthusiasts who’ve logged untold hours exploring the greater Los Angeles area via city streets, country roads, highways and mountain trails. As proponents of safe cycling with 30 years of combined experience, the company spends plenty of time teaching “rules of the road” skills to newcomers. StreetVelo Tours also outfits customers with bicycles and safety equipment that is custom-fit through its proprietary “Fit to Ride” program. Since StreetVelo Tours knows LA like the back of its hand, those looking for unrivaled local knowledge would do well to seek this company out for their next outing. Let’s say you’ve just made the leap to LA and are a bit daunted by the prospect of getting familiar with its 503 square miles. StreetVelo Tours is here to help via its “The District Tour” that will take you to every major landmark in downtown Los Angeles. Maybe you’re only in town for a few days and want to see what we’re all about. Maybe you’re a current resident looking to entertain your houseguests while simultaneously getting them out of the house. We can confidently say that StreetVelo Tours’ downtown district tour is the way to go. Here’s why: LA is diverse. You’ll see everything from Olvera Street, where the city first formed, to the natural beauty of Grand Park to the shopping and dining mecca that is 7th and Fig. Given the tour’s three-hour timeframe, there’s simply no other way to see all these sites and more than by doing so on two wheels. We’re notorious for our highway traffic and congestion; that’s never a worry when you’re on two wheels. The District Tour is stylish. You won’t get stuck on an obvious “tourist” bike; we let you pick the multi-speed urban bicycle and good-looking safety gear so the group can tour LA with confidence while still feeling “safe as a kitten,” as one recent rider put it. With the expected release of 2017 tourism data mere weeks away, isn’t it time to try something new when it comes to getting acquainted with a major metropolitan area? If you’re among the approximately 44,000 folks who moved to LA in 2016 and are still struggling to find your way around, it’s time to test the power of the pedal.