LA Launch and Why It Matters: My Reflections on the California UpCenter

Written by: Marta Anadón Rosinach | March 24, 2025 Time to read 5 min

3… 2… 1… we have lift-off! We’ve just launched the newest UpCenter in Los Angeles and here’s why California matters to Upway’s ambitious e-Bike goals.

More about the Author: Marta Anadón Rosinach

Engineer by training, I spent years at Uber in Strategic Finance and Operations across Europe and the US. I led Upway's US launch—joining the funding team and scaling the e-Bike business. I'm also a proud mom of two toddler boys, a baby girl, and an energetic Dalmatian. 

Redondo Beach aerial image

The Mamas & the Papas’ legendary folk lyrics “California dreamin' / On such a winter's day” couldn’t be more accurate about the timing of Upway’s LA launch— only that it isn’t a dream anymore! The recent opening of our UpCenter in Los Angeles marks the beginning of a new chapter for Upway US and exciting opportunities for even more growth.

As a founding team member and US market lead at Upway, I’ll share my perspective on why this expansion to California matters and the importance of the latest UpCenter.

Why California matters

It’s no coincidence that Upway’s second UpCenter in the US is in the Golden State. Setting up shop on the West Coast stretches Upway’s reach from coast to coast and puts down roots in our most important US market. And in 2024, the number of bikes we processed in California grew by more than 150% compared to the previous year, significantly outpacing other regions.

California is a huge market (one of the world’s largest economies, in fact) and a hotspot for bicycle brands, innovation, and e-Bike ridership. There’s just something about those sunny days, wide-open boardwalks, and expansive nature that make you want to ride— no wonder there are so many great e-Bike brands founded in CA

During my visits to and time in California, the energy is infectious and is motivating both for me and our larger team, An UpCenter in California allows Upway to better serve the state’s market and strengthen relationships with local brands and shops.

Upway UpCenterand bike stands


 "With the LA UpCenter, we’re not just selling e-Bikes— we’re building a movement toward cleaner, more people-friendly cities.”


    —Marta Anadon (General Manager Upway US, West Coast)


Los Angeles UpCenter unlocks new opportunities

The urban layout of Los Angeles may have been originally designed for cars (despite there still being endless traffic), but e-Bikes are taking over. The city continues to improve its cycling infrastructure and Southern California has always been a mecca for beach cruising, road cycling, and mountain biking. Myself and Upway are excited to be in the middle of the action with our new UpCenter in Redondo Beach.

Having an UpCenter in LA and our team on the ground means we can bolster even better relationships with our California-based partners like Aventon, Super73, Rad Power Bikes, Pedal, Santa Cruz, among others. It also makes Upway eligible to be an approved retailer for the California E-Bike Incentive Project so riders can score even sweeter deals on their favorite e-Bikes.

Beyond brand relationships and participation in the CA e-Bike voucher program, the LA UpCenter significantly improved shipping and pick-up logistics nationwide. Upway now has two locations for faster shipping, including free delivery or trade-in pick-up in eligible areas near the UpCenters. Not just our e-Bikes are fast— Upway boasts shipping that’s more efficient than ever.

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Rider on Specialized Globe Haul electric cargo bike


“Launching the LA UpCenter isn’t just about expanding our footprint— it’s about deepening our commitment to making e-Bikes the most accessible, sustainable, and exciting choice for urban mobility. California’s energy, innovation, and passion for cycling make it the perfect place for Upway to thrive."


    —Marta Anadon (General Manager Upway US, West Coast)


Shaping the future of cities

California and the Los Angeles area stand out as places where urban planning and transportation are changing for the better, and Upway is motivated to help envision a future in which cities prioritize people over cars. These are tough challenges— including air pollution, traffic congestion, car dependency, and inefficient infrastructure— but there’s progress to be made. LA’s hosting of the 2028 Olympic Games will also fuel positive changes in this regard.

Certified second-hand e-Bikes are a workable solution to replace certain car tips and increase urban efficiency by lowering traffic congestion. E-Bikes also emit far less than gas-powered and electric cars as cities and states aim to be more sustainable. With boots on the ground in California, Upway and my team will be actively collaborating with local governments to build infrastructure that encourages e-Bike ridership, including bike lanes and charging hubs.

Aventon Aventure bike in front of blue wall


“Upway is redefining urban mobility by championing e-Bike adoption through affordability, accessibility, and trust. Through partnerships, advocacy, and industry-leading e-Bike reconditioning, Upway is shaping a future where sustainable and people-centric cities become the norm."


    —Marta Anadon (General Manager Upway US, West Coast)

Changing how customers buy electric bikes

Higher prices and logical challenges can be barriers to people choosing to ride an e-Bike, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Upway champions the affordability of our certified high-quality e-Bikes that cost a fraction of their retail price, making sustainable mobility more accessible for everyone.

Accessibility also takes into account location and logistics— Upway’s online inventory ships all across the country but we also partner with local bike retailers to facilitate our trade-in program in both urban and rural areas. Our unboxed delivery option makes it easier than ever to purchase an e-Bike and start riding immediately, without having to touch a tool. Upway prioritizes affordability, availability, and trust to encourage people to join the e-Bike movement.

Innovation within the e-Bike industry

I can sense the tangible excitement from being part of the growing e-Bike industry, where innovation happens fast and sustainability is always on the mind. Upway works to set the bar high via our commitment to the circular economy, reconditioning used electric bikes to give them a second life.

We process thousands of e-Bikes to prevent them from ending up in landfills, create local jobs, and help support reindustrialization efforts across the world. And these complex operations are running at top efficiency due to proprietary pricing algorithms, lower logistics costs, and scale refurbishment capabilities. The launch of the LA UpCenter doubles down on this dedication to redefining the industry and working towards our ambitious goals.


UpCenter worker packing electric bikes in boxes


Key Takeaways


  1. Expanding Impact in California: Upway’s new LA UpCenter strengthens its presence in the U.S., tapping into California’s booming e-Bike market, fostering brand partnerships, and enhancing logistics for faster shipping and easier trade-ins.
  2. Driving Sustainable Urban Mobility: Upway has big goals to reduce car dependency by making e-Bikes more accessible and advocating for better cycling infrastructure, including bike lanes and charging hubs.
  3. Innovation & E-Bike Leadership: By refurbishing thousands of e-Bikes, Upway prevents waste and advances sustainability objectives to make our cities more people-centric.




There is more to Explore

Visit below articles for more info about electric bikes 

How Do Specialized e-Bikes Compare to Cannondale?

E-Bike Brands Founded in CA and Why They Stand Out

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Everything You Need to Know About the California E-Bike Voucher

Aventon Electric Bike

Finally Here: California E-Bike Incentive Program