If there is one thing that people can agree upon, it is the fact that Massachusetts is one of the best vacation spots to visit. Boston, the state’s capital, is one of the most bike-friendly places on earth, so you can take a leisurely ride around the area while appreciating city life.
That said, there is no better way to explore Massachusetts and its attractions than joining an electric bike tour.
My top 3 favorite places to take an eBike tour in Massachusetts are Cape Cod, Boston, and Cambridge.
If a perfect balance of city life and nature visits is what you are looking for, Massachusetts has that to offer. That said, let me share the best e-bike tours this state has to offer.
My Favorite 7 eBike Tours In Massachusetts
1. Cape Cod
Cape Cod can provide the most charming and relaxing electric bike experience. For this reason, joining a tour that explores this area can make your Massachusetts visit worth it.
When To Go
Cape Cod has the most pleasant temperatures in the months of May, June, September, and October. So, picking either of these months is ideal if you plan to join an electric bike tour in this town.
However, it is essential to note that Cape Cod is worth visiting all year round.
What To Bring
A visit to Cape Cod will only be complete with exploring its long trails. So, it would be best if you had the following:
- insect repellant
- moisture-wicking biking clothes
- closed-toe shoes
- snacks
- water or energy drink
- a camera
Costs
The majority of tours offered in Cape Cod are multi-day e-bike tours. A four-day tour costs $2,595. This fee includes almost everything you need for the tour, including the electric bike, helmet, map, and accommodations. However, you will need to spend an additional cost for your food during the entire trip.
Tour Highlights
The highlight of the Cape Cod electric bike tour is a visit to the pristine because of Cape Cod National Sea Shore. This area offers a fantastic view of coffee-colored sandbars and crystal-clear waters. If you are lucky enough, you may even encounter seals on the shore during your trip.
In addition, Cape Cod National Sea Shore is an excellent place for a leisurely bike ride. The sound of the waves will make your cruise relaxing. Even the breeze will make you experience Massachusetts’s beach life.
You will also pass through some trails after exploring the beach. So, not only will you experience beach vibes, but you can also soak into a calming nature ride. (source)
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2. Boston City
Boston is one of the best places you can ever visit in Massachusetts. A bike tour in this area will make you experience the state’s city life and see the skyscrapers as they touch the skyline.
When To Go
Boston is a busy city regardless of the season. So, you can pick what time you want to explore this city, and it will show you the scenery of Massachusetts city.
What To Bring
City areas are usually sunny and filled with traffic. For this reason, I recommend that you bring the following:
- sunscreen
- a camera
- biking clothes (bright-colored clothes, if possible, to make it easy for people and drivers to notice you)
- proper biking shoes
- sufficient water
Costs
The tour costs $110 and includes an individually-fitted rental e-bike and helmet. It will tackle six neighborhoods in Boston, so the tour will last about three hours.
Additionally, you may need to spend money on food, water, or energy drink, so bringing a pocket allowance is ideal.
Tour Highlights
Boston does not only boasts itself for its city hustle and bustle. It also has the most remarkable neighborhoods, including The North End – the highlight of your electric bike tour.
The North End is an Italian residential neighborhood in Boston. It is also the oldest neighborhood in the city. In addition, this area is famous for its authentic Italian cafes, restaurants, pizza places, espresso bars, and sandwich shops. In fact, there is nearly 100 restaurant in the area that offers Italian and other cuisines.
Due to the number of Italian establishments in The North End, many people call it “Boston’s Little Italy.” True to this name, the establishments in the area resemble Italian architecture. For this reason, touring Little Italy on an electric bike will feel like you are in Italy. (source)
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3. Cambridge
Cambridge is one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the United States. It is also the home of the oldest university in America, which you can visit through an electric bike tour.
When To Go
The months of June to October are the best times to visit Cambridge. During these months, tourists fill the area while students go elsewhere for vacation. So, touring around the site on an electric bike is easy.
What To Bring
Here are the things you may need during your Cambridge e-bike tour:
- sunscreen
- camera
- snacks and water
- clothes with reflective strips (so other tourists and drivers can see you easily)
- biking shoes
Costs
The tour costs $110, including an individually-fitted electric bike and helmet. It will explore six Cambridge attractions and will last for approximately two and a half hours.
Tour Highlights
Cambridge is rich in history. For this reason, the highlight of your electric bike tour is an adventure around Harvard Square – the heart of the oldest university in the US.
Harvard Square is home to coffee shops, boutiques, historic buildings, and theaters. These establishments make your tour worth pedaling for. You will also see Boston Commons on Harvard Square. This area is the oldest park in the US, which dates back to 1634.
Harvard Square has a lot to offer for bikers who love modernity and those who are into historic places. Even people fascinated by arts will enjoy an e-bike tour around Boston and Harvard Square. The reason is that this place has Harvard Arts Museums and The Harvard Museum Of Natural History. (source)
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4. Provincetown
Visiting Provincetown will show you Commercial Street – an area filled with studios and art galleries made by the town’s local artists. Apart from the must-visit works of art, this town is also an excellent place for people who love gorgeous beaches.
When To Go
If you want to tour around Provincetown when there are fewer crowds, the best time to visit is in Spring. Spring season starts by the end of March and lasts until late June.
What To Bring
Provincetown is well worth a visit. However, you need to make sure that you have the following when having an electric bike tour in the area:
- camera
- snacks and water
- proper biking clothes and shoes
- biking gloves (optional if you want to grip your rental e-bike’s handlebar better)
Costs
Tours to Provincetown have different rates depending on their duration. A one-and-a-half-hour tour costs $150. On the other hand, you have to pay $225 for a two-and-a-half-hour ride. Finally, a Provincetown electric bike tour that costs $325 lasts three and a half hours.
Apart from the tour and rental e-bike cost, you may also add an extra $75 if you wish to add a full meal to your tour itinerary. There is also an additional sandwich snack pack, which costs $50. (source)
Tour Highlights
Provincetown caters to both locals and tourists. However, those who love arts and nature will especially enjoy the town’s Commercial Street. Commercial Street will show you a quiet and peaceful environment when visiting in the morning. Morning is also the perfect time to appreciate Commercial Street’s sights.
If you are visiting the town for its beautiful scenery, you need to visit Commercial Street’s East End. This part of the town boasts sights to behold, such as beautiful trees and anything connected to nature.
On the other hand, visiting Commercial Street for its gorgeous art will also lead you to East End. You can see the Provincetown Art Association & Museum and Tao Art Gallery here. (source)
5. Nantucket
More than a few hours is needed to visit all of Massachusetts’s beauty. For instance, Nantucket packs with culture, history, arts, and adventures. If you want to explore all of the things this place has to offer, joining a five-day electric bike tour is worth considering.
When To Go
Nantucket buzzes with energy whenever Summertime comes. If you want to see lots of unfamiliar places and fellow tourists visiting the area, Summer is the best time to visit. Even better, summer is business time in Nantucket so you will find a lot of shops and boutiques.
What To Bring
Nantucket is a busy town filled with shops and tourists. So, you need to bring:
- pocket money
- snacks and water
- moisture-wicking, bright-colored biking clothes
- proper biking shoes
- camera
- extra clothes (for multi-day tours)
- hygiene kit
Costs
The multi-day Nantucket tours offered by tour operators need to have the tour’s cost stated on their website. You have to call the tour operator to know how much you need to spend on the rental e-bike, tour, accommodation, and food.
Tour Highlights
One of the best places your e-bike tour will visit during the Nantucket trip is Martha’s Vineyard. This place boasts fascinating gingerbread towns and cottages, scenic bike trails, gorgeous beaches, and majestic views.
Since Martha’s Vineyard has multiple beaches, you will find lighthouses in the area. For instance, Gay Head Light and Aquinnah Cliffs sit in the middle of rocky shores and tides. This place provides an excellent view for people who love beaches, turquoise waters, and sandy shores.
Apart from the beaches, Martha’s Vineyard also boasts beautiful gardens and cottages. There are countless flowers lined on the sidewalks, parks, and everywhere around the vineyard. (source)
6. Nickerson State Park
Touring around state parks is another great way to spend a day in Massachusetts. So, book an electric bike tour, pack your bags, and get ready for a fantastic e-bike tour.
When To Go
Nickerson State Park is available for tourists and locals all year round. So, you get to pick when you want to visit and have a tour around the area.
What To Bring
There is little that you need to bring when having an e-bike tour around Nickerson State Park. You will only need:
- some snacks
- sufficient water for hydration
- comfortable biking clothes
- helmet (if your tour operator is not providing one)
- biking gloves
Costs
The e-bike tour’s cost varies depending on the duration:
- 1.5 hours – $150
- 2.5 hours – $225
- 3.5 hours – $325
You also have a full meal and sandwich pack options, which costs $75 and $50, respectively. (source)
Tour Highlights
The highlight of your Nickerson State Park is a chance to explore its 8-mile biking path. Trees and shrubs surround the paved biking, giving you a chance to get closer to nature. You will also see locals and fellow tourists camping and hiking around the area.
While exploring the bike path, you will pass by ponds, which serve as a paradise for recreational fishers.
Nickerson State Park has many amenities and adventures to offer, making your e-bike tour enjoyable and fun. (source)
7. Emerald Necklace
Emerald Necklace is a park system that has millions of visitors every year. If you are planning a tour where you can connect with nature and fellow tourists, this park system is a great place to have an e-bike tour.
When To Go
Emerald Necklace is a busy park throughout the year. That said, you can pick when you want to have an electric bike tour, and you will experience all the best things the park has to offer. But if you want to see the most out of the park, it is ideal to visit during the fall to see the beautiful fall foliage covering the ground.
What To Bring
When visiting Emerald Necklace, you need to bring the following:
- camera
- appropriate biking clothes
- closed-toe shoes
- snacks
- water
Costs
An Emerald Necklace electric bike tour costs $130. The fee includes a guide, a rental e-bike, and a helmet you can use. It is also ideal to bring extra cash in case you pass by a shop or restaurant you want to check out.
Tour Highlights
One of the most fantastic ways to enjoy the beauty Boston has to offer is by visiting the Emerald Necklace. When staying in the fall, you will see trees starting to change colors and fall to the ground.
Emerald Necklace stretches from Back Bay to Dorchester. It features a paved path that makes e-biking hassle-free and comfortable. There is even a zoo and arboretum, providing tourists with a variety of sights to see. (source)
Frequently Asked Questions About eBike Tours
What kind of eBikes are provided?
Most electric bike tour operators in Massachusetts provide pedal-assisted electric bikes. This type of bike has a motor that engages once you propel the pedals. As the name suggests, the motor of a pedal-assisted electric bike assists you in pushing the pedals, so you only have to spend minimal power while driving.
That way, you will focus less on keeping your wheels rolling and more on the views the tour offers.
How long does an eBike tour take?
Electric bike tours usually last for about one and a half to three hours. These short-duration tours only travel a few miles but will take you to the best places and views Massachusetts offers. For instance, an e-bike tour in Boston, which lasts for two and a half hours, will take you to the heart of Harvard – Harvard Square.
On the other hand, some tours last for multiple days. While they can cost hundreds to even thousands of dollars, they already include accommodation, an electric bike, and sometimes, food.
Are eBike tours safe?
One of the safest tours you can join is the electric bike tour. For one, tour operators manually inspect the e-bikes you will use before the tour to ensure that they do not have any damage. They will also provide you with individually-fitted helmets.
In addition, a professional tour guide knowledgeable about the place you are visiting and the e-bikes you are using will accompany you. You will also need to attend mandatory training to help you understand the basics of driving an electric bike.
Hi David Humphries here the guy doing all the pedaling behind the scenes with this blog. I’ve been in the MTB world for a while and recently started getting into eMTBs. You can check out more about me HERE and on my other passion project – DIYMountainBike.com
Sources
- VBT: Bike, Explore, Connect. Massachusetts: Cape Cod & Provincetown. https://www.vbt.com/tours/massachusetts-cape-cod-marthas-vineyard-guided-bike-tour/#itinerary-whats-included. Accessed December 30, 2022.
- Urban Adventours. Tour de Boston. https://www.urbanadventours.com/bike-tours/tour-de-boston/ Accessed December 30, 2022.
- Urban Adventours. Tour de Cambridge. https://www.urbanadventours.com/bike-tours/tour-de-cambridge/ Accessed December 30, 2022.
- Cape Cod Life Publications. Welcome to Commercial Street in Provincetown. https://capecodlife.com/welcome-to-commercial-street-in-provincetown/ Accessed December 30, 2022.
- Virtuoso. Martha’s Vineyard & Nantucket Easygoing E-bike Tour (5 Days). https://www.virtuoso.com/travel/luxury-tours/16403400/marthas-vineyard-nantucket-easygoing-e-bike-tour. Accessed December 30, 2022.
- Massachusetts Government. Nickerson State Park. https://www.mass.gov/locations/nickerson-state-park. Accessed December 30, 2022.
- Emerald Necklace Conservancy. Welcome to the Emerald Necklace. https://www.emeraldnecklace.org/park-overview/