Bike Rental in Stillwater, MN | Costs, Routes & Rules

Stillwater’s downtown e-bike rental starts at $45 for the first hour, steps from the 4.7-mile river loop.

Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Stillwater’s river bluffs make electric assist useful, and the clearest current choice for bike rental in Stillwater, MN is Herman Electric Bike Rental at Coffee Beans and Bikes, 209 S. Main Street. The operator publishes a $45 first hour, $5 for each added half-hour, and a 10% discount Monday through Thursday.

The rental counter sits near the historic Lift Bridge and the St. Croix River Crossing Loop Trail. Its current page publishes e-bike rates but no separate pedal-bike rate, so riders seeking a standard bicycle should call before making plans.

Stillwater Bike Rental Costs And Conditions

Herman Electric Bike Rental is the most clearly verified downtown option, with walk-ins accepted and reservations recommended on Saturdays and Sundays. Published hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, but weather and seasonal staffing can change same-day availability.

Call 651-551-3154 or email monken3244@msn.com to reserve. Ask which frame sizes are available and whether the quoted amount includes a helmet, lock, tax, deposit, damage coverage, and roadside help, since those terms are not listed on the public rate page.

Do You Need An E-Bike In Stillwater?

An e-bike is useful in Stillwater because downtown sits below steep river bluffs, but a strong rider does not need electric assist for Brown’s Creek State Trail. The 4.7-mile loop has more climbing, making assist more valuable there than on the flatter rail-trail route.

Choose a frame that lets both feet reach the ground comfortably, especially if this is your first e-bike ride. Ask for a brief control lesson, then practice starting, stopping, changing assist levels, and turning at low speed before crossing the Lift Bridge.

Local tourism materials describe electric cruiser and fat-tire bikes, but the rental page does not guarantee a model or frame size. Ask whether a low-step frame is available if mounting height matters.

How Much Does A Bike Rental Cost?

A one-hour e-bike rental costs $45 under the published schedule, while two hours works out to $55 and three hours to $65. The low added-time rate makes a two- or three-hour booking a better fit than rushing through a trail loop in one hour.

Price check: These figures come from the operator’s current 2026 rental page. Confirm the total before arrival because rates and operating days can change.

Routes That Match The Rental Window

Stillwater offers a compact cross-river loop for a short rental and a longer rail-trail route for riders with two to four hours. Both start close enough to downtown that no vehicle rack or bike transport is needed.

Lift Bridge And Riverfront Out-And-Back

A one-hour booking is enough for a short ride across the vehicle-free Lift Bridge, a riverfront stretch, and a return to downtown. Turn around before committing to the full Wisconsin-side climb, and leave time to test the brakes and assist settings before moving onto the shared path.

St. Croix River Crossing Loop Trail

The 4.7-mile loop crosses the St. Croix River twice, using the historic Lift Bridge and the newer St. Croix Crossing. Two hours gives most casual riders room for the climb, shared-path traffic, overlooks, and a brief stop without watching the clock every few minutes.

Brown’s Creek State Trail

Brown’s Creek State Trail runs 5.9 paved miles from Stillwater to the Gateway State Trail in Grant. The former railroad grade is generally level, so a three-hour rental can cover an 11.8-mile out-and-back at an easy pace, while a four-hour window leaves more time for breaks.

Electric-assist bicycles may use Minnesota state trails when they meet the state’s bicycle definition, according to the Minnesota DNR e-bike rules for state trails. Trail signs, temporary closures, and local speed limits still apply.

Where To Stay Near The Trailhead

Downtown Stillwater is the easiest overnight base because the rental counter, Lift Bridge, restaurants, and the start of Brown’s Creek State Trail are close together. Staying near Main Street also removes the need to carry rented bikes on a vehicle.

The map below compares lodging near the downtown trail access and riverfront:

Rider Rules And Pre-Ride Checks

Herman Electric Bike Rental requires riders to be at least 15 years old, at least 4 feet 11 inches tall, and no more than 320 pounds. Anyone younger than 18 must ride with an adult.

• Confirm that a correctly fitted helmet and lock are included or bring your own.
• Check tire pressure, brake response, battery level, lights, and the display before leaving.
• Ask what to do after a flat tire, mechanical fault, or depleted battery.
• Use a bell or voice before passing, slow near pedestrians, and keep right on shared paths.
• Save the shop number and plan to return with a time buffer before closing.

Rain can make bridge decks, painted markings, and leaves slippery. A rental should be postponed when lightning, poor visibility, or strong crosswinds make the two bridge crossings unsafe.

Pick The Right Rental Window

Two hours is the strongest choice for a first Stillwater ride, while three hours suits Brown’s Creek and four hours allows a slower combination of trail time and downtown stops. One hour works only for a short bridge-and-riverfront outing.

• One hour: Cross the Lift Bridge, ride a short riverfront section, then return.
• Two hours: Complete the 4.7-mile St. Croix River Crossing Loop Trail without rushing.
• Three hours: Ride Brown’s Creek State Trail out and back, adjusting the turnaround point to your pace.
• Four hours: Add longer stops, connect a short river loop with part of Brown’s Creek, or ride with a mixed-ability group.

For most visitors, reserve two hours on a weekday, confirm helmet and lock inclusion, and choose the river loop. Riders who prefer a flatter route should book three hours and take Brown’s Creek State Trail instead.