Things To Do on an eBike in Pulaski County, AR
Pulaski County has the longest continuous paved riding in central Arkansas. The Arkansas River Trail ties together two downtowns, two long bridges, and dozens of parks on terrain that is mostly flat.
Pick up a rental or a repair on the eBike shops in Little Rock page, then use this guide to choose among the river loop, Two Rivers Park, Burns Park, and Pinnacle Mountain.
Where to ride in Pulaski County
Little Rock and North Little Rock face each other across the Arkansas River, and the trail uses both banks. The river valley is flat, and the climbs come when you leave it for Pinnacle Mountain or the hills west of town. Shade is thin on the bridges and levee sections.
Pulaski County riding country: the Arkansas River valley near Little Rock.
Distances come from the Arkansas River Trail Foundation and the city of Little Rock, and the two sources round the loop differently. No source we read states an eBike rule for the trail.
1. Arkansas River Trail loop
This original loop crosses the Clinton Presidential Park Bridge and the Big Dam Bridge and passes parks, museums, and the downtown waterfronts of both cities. It is the best first ride for a visitor on an eBike.
Distance: About 16 miles; 15.6 miles by the foundation's own loop description; start: Clinton Presidential Park Bridge or the Big Dam Bridge access points; surface: Paved shared-use path.
eBike access: No eBike rule was found for the trail, so state law applies and the city or county may post its own limits. Etiquette and planning: Slow down on the bridges and near the river park crowds. Managing source: Arkansas River Trail Foundation.
2. Big Dam Bridge
The Big Dam Bridge is 4,226 feet long and crosses the river at Murray Lock and Dam. It cost $12.5 million and took eight years to finish.
Distance: 4,226 feet across the bridge; start: Murray Lock and Dam in Little Rock, or Cooks Landing in North Little Rock; surface: Paved bridge deck and ramps.
eBike access: No eBike rule was found for the bridge, so follow posted signs. Etiquette and planning: The ramps are long, so watch your speed coming down. Managing source: Arkansas River Trail Foundation.
3. Two Rivers Park and the Buddy Villines Bridge
The 1,162-foot bridge crosses the Little Maumelle River and links the river trail to 17 miles of trails in Two Rivers Park, which is jointly owned by Little Rock and Pulaski County.
Distance: 17 miles of trails in the park; start: River Mountain Drive off Cantrell Road, Little Rock; surface: Paved and natural-surface trails.
eBike access: No eBike rule was found for the park's trails, so ask the park before riding a motor on soft surfaces. Etiquette and planning: Horse riders also use the park, so give them room. Managing source: Arkansas River Trail Foundation.
4. Pinnacle Mountain State Park
Pinnacle Mountain is a day-use state park on the Maumelle and Little Maumelle rivers, with over 33 miles of trail and 18.95 miles of mountain-bike trail.
Distance: 18.95 miles of mountain-bike trail within more than 33 miles; start: 9600 Highway 300, Roland; surface: Natural-surface trails.
eBike access: Arkansas State Parks allows Class 1 eBikes on trails designated for bicycles and prohibits Class 2 and Class 3 on mountain-bike and multi-use trails. Etiquette and planning: Gates close one hour after sunset, so plan your return. Managing source: Arkansas State Parks, Pinnacle Mountain.
5. Burns Park and the Arkansas River Trail Grand Loop
Burns Park in North Little Rock covers 2,600 acres and has on- and off-road trails. The 88.5-mile Grand Loop extends the river trail through Faulkner and Perry counties for experienced riders.
Distance: Burns Park is 2,600 acres; the Grand Loop is 88.5 miles; start: Burns Park, North Little Rock; surface: Mixed trails and, on the Grand Loop, shared roads.
eBike access: No eBike rule was found, and the Grand Loop shares highways with cars, so ride it as you would a road route. Etiquette and planning: Portions share state highways and local roads with traffic. Managing source: Arkansas River Trail Foundation.
Planning a Pulaski County ride
The foundation says the trail connects 38 parks, six museums, and more than 5,000 acres of public parkland, so a loop can double as a sightseeing day. A relaxed first outing is the loop from downtown Little Rock across the Clinton Bridge, then back over the Big Dam Bridge. Allow half a day with stops.
The foundation also points riders to the trails in Burns Park, which covers 2,600 acres in North Little Rock, and in the 1,000-acre Two Rivers Park, owned by Little Rock and Pulaski County. Both have on-road and off-road trails, and horse riders use trails in each park, so expect mixed traffic off the pavement.
Pinnacle Mountain State Park keeps its launch ramp, picnic area, and arboretum open from 6:30 in the morning to one hour after sunset, and its visitor center is open daily from 8 to 5. The park phone number is 501-868-5806, and the gates close one hour after sunset, so leave time to ride out. Pinnacle Mountain is a separate trip west of the city. Class 1 riders only should plan to use its mountain-bike trails.
Pulaski County also has the Southwest Trail connection to Benton in neighboring Saline County, which the Benton tourism office describes as a 60-mile link between Little Rock and Hot Springs. We list that route on the Saline County ride guide because the restored bridge is in Benton. Rock Town River Outfitters has two rental cards in Little Rock, so start there if you need a bike.
Half-day and full-day eBike plans
Half day on the river: Ride the loop from the Clinton Bridge to the Big Dam Bridge and back.
Full day with a park stop: Add Two Rivers Park across the Buddy Villines Bridge.
Mountain day: Drive to Pinnacle Mountain and ride a bicycle-designated trail on a Class 1 bike.
Rental first: Phone Rock Town River Outfitters and ask which models are electric.
What not to ride
Class 2 or Class 3 on state park trails: Arkansas State Parks bars them from mountain-bike trails.
Grand Loop highways: Parts of the 88.5-mile loop share roads with cars.
Midday summer rides: Central Arkansas summers are hot, so ride early.
When to ride Pulaski County
Late fall through early spring is the comfortable stretch around Pulaski, and the summer heat is best avoided.
Shop hubs
We list shops in 4 towns across Pulaski County. Each town page lists addresses, phone numbers, and claim links.
- eBike shops in Little Rock (9)
- eBike shops in North Little Rock (2)
- eBike shops in Sherwood (2)
- eBike shops in Jacksonville (1)
Rental and tour operators
Rental listings follow. Confirm electric models and helmets with the business before you reserve.
Rock Town River Outfitters Bike Shop🚲 Rentals
Arkansas eBike rules snapshot
Arkansas defines an electric bicycle in Arkansas Code § 27-51-1702, as enacted by Act 956 of 2017, as a bicycle with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts. It sorts them into three classes. Class 1 assists only while you pedal and stops assisting at 20 mph. Class 2 may move the bike on its own and cannot assist at 20 mph. Class 3 assists only while you pedal and stops assisting at 28 mph.
Under § 27-51-1703 an electric bicycle gets the rights and duties of a bicycle, is not a motor vehicle, and is not subject to the title's insurance, licensing, registration, operator's license, or certificate-of-title rules. Under § 27-51-1705, a Class 1 or Class 2 bike may use a bicycle path or multi-use path where bicycles are permitted, but the local authority in charge of the path may prohibit them. A Class 3 may not use a bicycle path or multi-use path unless it is within or adjacent to a highway or roadway, or the local authority permits it.
Under § 27-51-1706, nobody under 16 may operate a Class 3 eBike, though a child under 16 may ride as a passenger on a Class 3 built to carry one. Any operator or passenger under 21 on a Class 3 must wear a helmet that meets 16 CFR part 1203, and a Class 3 must have a speedometer that shows miles per hour. The statute sets no helmet duty for Class 1 or Class 2, so read our Arkansas eBike laws guide, then the sign at the trailhead, because city and park rules can go further.
Section 27-51-1704 adds equipment duties for anyone buying or renting. An eBike must meet the federal bicycle standard at 16 CFR part 1512, and since January 1, 2018, manufacturers and distributors must permanently label each bike with its class, top assisted speed, and motor wattage. Nobody may tamper with a bike to change its class unless the label is replaced to match. A Class 2 motor must disengage when the brakes are applied, and Class 1 and Class 3 motors must stop assisting when the rider stops pedaling.
Arkansas State Parks has its own rule, 22 CAR § 50-122. It allows Class 1 eBikes on state park trails designated for bicycles, allows Class 1, 2, and 3 on state park roads, and prohibits Class 2 and Class 3 on mountain-bike and multi-use bicycle trails.
Little Rock and the trail foundation publish no eBike rule for the river trail. Arkansas State Parks has its own rule at Pinnacle Mountain, so confirm before you ride off pavement.
Frequently asked questions
Which place in Pulaski County suits an eBike best?
The Arkansas River Trail loop across the Clinton and Big Dam bridges is the best first ride.
How long is the Big Dam Bridge?
The foundation says 4,226 feet.
Is Pinnacle Mountain open to eBikes?
Class 1 eBikes are allowed on state-park trails designated for bicycles, and Class 2 and Class 3 are not allowed on mountain-bike trails.
Can I rent a bike near the river?
The directory lists two Rock Town River Outfitters cards in Little Rock as rentals.
Where does the Southwest Trail go?
The Benton tourism office describes it as a 60-mile trail linking Hot Springs to Little Rock, and the restored Old River Bridge is in Benton.
Is the Grand Loop safe on an eBike?
The foundation says parts of it share highways with traffic, so it suits experienced riders.
Are eBike helmets mandatory here?
Under § 27-51-1706, anyone under 21 who operates or rides on a Class 3 eBike must wear a helmet. Classes 1 and 2 are not covered by that section. See the Arkansas eBike laws guide.
All shops in Pulaski County
The Pulaski County eBike shops page lists all 14 listings in 4 cities.