John and GiGi Arnold, organizers of Riverside's monthly Light Parade, have partnered with C&B Pack and Ship to offer e-bike rentals and sales starting at $400, aiming to make the community event more accessible to participants.
The couple obtained a dealer's license after multiple companies approached them about the parade's growth. The Arnolds chose to focus on helping residents join the monthly rides at an affordable price point rather than pursue traditional sponsorship deals.
"We started looking for something that we could find for a good price, a good quality bike," John Arnold said. "When we looked at the prices of bikes, they had a lot on the low end, but none of them have a lot of features."
The Light Parade meets the last Saturday of each month at the Historic Riverside Courthouse, drawing about 300 riders who decorate their bikes with lights for evening rides through the city. The Arnolds maintain it as a family event with no alcohol or smoking allowed.
The new e-bikes feature 500-watt motors, 50-mile ranges and fold for easy storage. With a 350-pound weight capacity and speeds up to 24 mph, they include safety features like alarms and auto-start functions.
Orlando from C&B Pack and Ship in Pine Center is handling sales from his store location. The partnership allows the Light Parade organizers to offer equipment without operating a traditional bike shop storefront.
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