E-Bikes Are Fueling Whatcom County’s Cycling Obsession
Sun-E-Land Bikes is shaping the future of cycling in Whatcom County.
This family-owned e-bike rental service and shop at The Portal in Bellingham is committed to making cycling more accessible for everyone.
It’s no secret that biking culture is strong in Whatcom County.
There are dozens of clubs, shops, and events dedicated to our community’s passion for cycling. Whether you take advantage of the myriad trails that snake their way through the county or ride for your daily commute, Whatcom has the infrastructure and scenery that make biking accessible.
Outside of traditional road bikes, an emerging trend of electric bikes has opened doors (and roads) for more cyclists. This is thanks in part to Sun-E Land Bikes, a family-owned e-bike rental service and shop located at The Portal, Bellingham’s shipping container village along the Downtown Waterfront. Sun-E-Land is the only local shop that sells, rents, and services e-bikes. They can deliver locally to Whatcom, Skagit, King, and Island Counties.
E-bikes can help cyclists ride for longer or without nearly as much stress on their bodies, which is great for those with chronic pain or mobility issues. The electric motor assists your movement—it doesn’t propel you on its own. Once you get to a certain speed, the motor turns off so you can coast leisurely before it kicks in again.
E-bikes are one of the most efficient ways to get around, and Sun-E-Land is dedicated to helping locals and visitors experience the outdoors on wheels.
We sat down with Sun-E-Land Bikes owner Matt Holmes to learn how their e-bikes help northwesterners get where they need to go.
Making e-bikes more accessible
Matt recalls the day he was making his way up to WWU (Western Washington University) when at the top of Billy Frank Jr. Street, an older man whizzed past him on an e-bike. This caught his attention: Matt had already been curious about e-bikes but found them to be cost-prohibitive for many (most models average $1,500-$2,000). He also wanted to help his father, who hadn’t ridden a bike in 25 years due to knee problems, get back into cycling. He started searching for e-bikes to see if that would help, and was able to secure a fairly affordable bike that his dad now uses all the time.
Matt wanted to do the same for others that he did for his dad. He started his businesses out of his garage, selling bikes online. In 2022 he opened the Sun-E-Land store in a bright yellow shipping container at The Portal Container Village, next to Bellingham’s pump track. At this locale, Sun-E-Land can serve riders at the pump track as well as those venturing out to various bike trails on the western side of Bellingham.
How to get involved
Rent an e-bike
Rentals start at $35 for two hours, with lights and helmets included. You can also rent bikes for half- and full-days, weeks, or by the month. In addition to e-bikes, they also carry BMX bikes, strider bikes, and road bikes for kids and adults. Family rates are available.
Buy a bike
Sun-E-Land Bikes imports, services, and sells e-bikes with an emphasis on affordable, entry-level models. Their quality-built City Cruisers average $920 and come in a variety of colors.
Take a tour
Matt and his team offer various bike tours, including a two-hour Waterfront Tour back and forth between downtown Bellingham and Fairhaven, and a two-hour Parks and Trails Tour that goes up Railroad Avenue to Whatcom Falls Park and back. There’s also the four-hour Interurban Ride to Larabee State Park and back. Sun-E-Land also provides custom tours such as a brewery track or a full-day tour around Lummi Island.
Ready to get moving? Stop by Sun-E-Land (296 W Laurel St., Bellingham) or visit their website.
