Things To Do on an eBike in Contra Costa County, CA
Contra Costa County's best eBike riding is on paved regional trails run by East Bay Regional Park District. The Iron Horse Regional Trail links Concord and Pleasanton. The Contra Costa Canal Regional Trail ties together Martinez, Pleasant Hill, Walnut Creek and Concord. Both are paved, multi-use and open to eBikes.
Farther out, the Delta de Anza, Lafayette-Moraga and Marsh Creek trails give you shorter paved options. The Lafayette-Moraga is 7.65 miles, and Marsh Creek is about 6.5 miles. The district allows Class 1 and Class 2 eBikes only, with a 15 mph limit. This guide covers six trails, who manages them, and what to check before you roll.
Where to ride in Contra Costa County
Almost every route here is an East Bay Regional Park District regional trail, so one set of rules covers most of your riding. Walnut Creek is a natural hub, since both the Iron Horse and Contra Costa Canal trails pass through it. Lafayette has the Lafayette-Moraga trail, Brentwood has the start of Marsh Creek, and the Delta de Anza trailhead is at Hillcrest Avenue. Exact access points differ by trail, so check the manager map.
Length varies a lot, and Iron Horse is listed at 32 miles as of 2014, Delta de Anza has over 15 built miles, Lafayette-Moraga is 7.65 miles, and Marsh Creek is about 6.5 miles. The Contra Costa Canal trail has no published length. All are paved and multi-use, and the same district rules apply to each: Class 1 and Class 2 only, Class 2 on paved sections, a 15 mph maximum, and 5 mph when passing.
eBike shop hubs
Need a shop before you ride? These city pages list eBike and bicycle shops near the trails, with the most listings in Walnut Creek, Lafayette and El Sobrante.
- eBike shops in Alamo
- eBike shops in El Sobrante
- eBike shops in Pleasant Hill
- eBike shops in Lafayette
- eBike shops in Brentwood
- eBike shops in Walnut Creek
- eBike shops in Richmond
Other local service contacts
No rental listings show up for Contra Costa County right now, so these shops are the local contacts for service, parts and test rides. Call California Bike & Snowboard or The Pedaler Bike Shop first to ask whether they work on your motor system and battery.
Named eBike routes and access checks
1. Iron Horse Regional Trail, the long paved spine
The Iron Horse Regional Trail is the longest ride in this guide. It is a multi-use, whole-access paved trail between Concord and Pleasanton, and East Bay Regional Park District manages it, and the district lists eBikes as allowed. You can ride a short piece or string together a long day, since several staging areas give you places to start. The main conflict is shared use, and walkers, runners and other cyclists all use the pavement, so the 15 mph limit matters, and closures also come up. The Walnut Creek section from Mt Diablo Boulevard to Civic Park is closed from Oct. 5 to Oct. 12, 2026 for PG&E vegetation management and wildlife enhancement work, so plan a detour or ride another section that week.
Distance: 32 miles as of 2014, per East Bay Regional Park District; start: Trailheads include the Danville Blvd. Trail Staging Area, Lisa Lane Trail Staging Area and Stone Valley Rd. Staging Area; surface: Iron Horse Regional Trail: paved, multi-use, whole-access trail.
eBike access: eBikes are allowed under district rules, and Class 1 is allowed, Class 2 is allowed on paved trails, and Class 3 is not permitted, and maximum speed is 15 mph. Etiquette and planning: Slow to 5 mph when passing, and ring or call out first. Check the trail page for closures before you leave, especially in Walnut Creek. Managing source: East Bay Regional Park District, Iron Horse Regional Trail.
2. Contra Costa Canal Regional Trail, four cities on one path
The Contra Costa Canal Regional Trail is a paved, multi-use, whole-access trail that connects Martinez, Pleasant Hill, Walnut Creek and Concord. East Bay Regional Park District manages it, and eBikes are allowed. It works well for riders who want to move between cities without using busy roads. The district page does not publish a length or name a trailhead, so use the manager map to pick your access point. Contra Costa Water District is doing annual maintenance along the trail throughout 2026, so brief closures may be required. The page also names the California State Riding and Hiking Trail as a connecting regional trail. No eBike rule for that trail was found, so the state default applies and you should read posted signs.
Distance: Length is not published on the East Bay Regional Park District page; start: No trailhead is listed on the manager page; check the manager map for access points; surface: Contra Costa Canal Regional Trail: paved, multi-use, whole-access trail.
eBike access: eBikes are allowed, and Class 1 and Class 2 follow district rules on paved trails, while Class 3 is not permitted, so keep to 15 mph. Etiquette and planning: Expect brief maintenance closures through 2026. Check the trail page before you ride, and slow to 5 mph when passing walkers. Managing source: East Bay Regional Park District, Contra Costa Canal Regional Trail.
3. Delta de Anza Regional Trail, paved and still growing
The Delta de Anza Regional Trail is a paved, multi-use trail for hiking, bicycling and horseback riding. East Bay Regional Park District manages it, and eBikes are allowed. More than 15 miles are open now, out of a planned 25. That makes it a good pick for a longer out-and-back ride on pavement. Because equestrians are allowed, you should expect horses as well as walkers, and you should give them room. The listed trailhead is the Hillcrest Avenue Trail Staging Area. Other access points are not named in the manager facts, so check the manager map before you plan a point-to-point ride. As with every district trail, Class 3 eBikes are not permitted.
Distance: Over 15 miles open of a planned 25 miles, per East Bay Regional Park District; start: Hillcrest Avenue Trail Staging Area; surface: Paved, multi-use trail.
eBike access: eBikes are allowed, and Class 1 is allowed, Class 2 is allowed on this paved trail, and Class 3 is not permitted, and the district maximum is 15 mph. Etiquette and planning: Slow down and call out when you approach horses or walkers. Pass at 5 mph and give equestrians plenty of space. Managing source: East Bay Regional Park District, Delta de Anza Regional Trail.
4. Lafayette-Moraga Regional Trail, a paved linear park
The Lafayette-Moraga Regional Trail is a 7.65-mile paved linear park managed by East Bay Regional Park District, and eBikes are allowed. It is a good first ride on a new eBike because it has four named staging areas, so you can pick a short section or ride the whole length. Walkers and families use it too, so speed control matters more than power. A Class 2 eBike is allowed here because the trail is paved, but the district's 15 mph maximum still applies. If you start at one end, plan your return before you go, and check the manager page for any current notices.
Distance: 7.65 miles, per East Bay Regional Park District; start: Trailheads at Olympic Blvd., St. Mary's Rd., Lucille Lane and Moraga Rd. staging areas; surface: Paved linear park trail.
eBike access: eBikes are allowed, and Class 1 and Class 2 are allowed on this paved trail. Class 3 eBikes and e-scooters are not permitted, and keep to 15 mph. Etiquette and planning: Share the path with walkers and families. Slow to 5 mph to pass, and ring or call out first. Managing source: East Bay Regional Park District, Lafayette-Moraga Regional Trail.
5. Marsh Creek Regional Trail: Brentwood toward Big Break
The Marsh Creek Regional Trail is the main East County option. It is a paved, multi-use trail of about 6.5 miles, managed by East Bay Regional Park District, and eBikes are allowed. It runs from Creekside Park in Brentwood toward Big Break. The district plans to extend it to 14 miles, so more of it may open over time. Only the paved section is open to Class 2 eBikes, so stay on pavement if you ride a throttle bike. The manager facts name Creekside Park as the starting point. Other access points are not published, so use the manager map if you want to start elsewhere. A short out-and-back is an easy way to try it.
Distance: About 6.5 miles of a planned 14 miles, per East Bay Regional Park District; start: Creekside Park in Brentwood; surface: Paved multi-use trail.
eBike access: eBikes are allowed, Class 1 is allowed, Class 2 is allowed on the paved section, and Class 3 is not permitted, and the district maximum is 15 mph. Etiquette and planning: Stay on the paved section if you ride Class 2. Slow to 5 mph when passing walkers, and call out first. Managing source: East Bay Regional Park District, Marsh Creek Regional Trail.
6. Big Break Regional Trail, paved and eBike-friendly
The Big Break Regional Trail is one of the paved regional trails where East Bay Regional Park District allows Class 2 eBikes. It is on the district's list alongside Iron Horse, Delta de Anza and Marsh Creek. The Marsh Creek trail runs toward Big Break, so the two make sense to look at together on a map. The district does not publish a length or trailhead for Big Break in the material reviewed, so this is a route to plan with the manager map rather than from memory. District rules apply: Class 1 is allowed, Class 2 is allowed on paved trails, Class 3 is not permitted, and the maximum speed is 15 mph. Check posted signs on arrival.
Distance: Length is not published in the district biking rules page; start: Several access points; check the manager map; surface: Paved regional trail, per the district biking rules.
eBike access: Class 1 and Class 2 eBikes are allowed on this paved trail. Class 3 eBikes and e-scooters are not permitted. The maximum speed is 15 mph. Etiquette and planning: Plan your access point on the manager map first. Slow to 5 mph when passing, and wear a helmet, which is required under age 18. Managing source: East Bay Regional Park District, Biking rules and e-bike classes.
Planning a Contra Costa County ride
Charging and food stops are not listed in the published trail information, so charge your battery fully at home or at the shop before you leave. Plan your ride around the battery range you actually have, and leave margin for the return. Closures are the main planning issue, and the Iron Horse trail in Walnut Creek is closed from Mt Diablo Boulevard to Civic Park from Oct. 5 to Oct. 12, 2026. The Contra Costa Canal trail may have brief closures through 2026 for water district maintenance.
Crowds are not quantified in the published material, but these are shared trails with walkers, families and in some places horses. Keep to 15 mph and slow to 5 mph when passing. Wear a helmet, which is required by law under age 18, and the regional trails map says riders should wear one at all times. Transit and ferry connections are not covered in the published trail information, so check the manager map for access points.
Half-day and full-day eBike plans
Half day: Ride the Lafayette-Moraga Regional Trail. It is 7.65 miles, paved, and has four named staging areas, so you can pick an easy start. Take a Class 1 or Class 2 eBike, keep to 15 mph, and slow to 5 mph around walkers. Plan an out-and-back and keep a reserve in the battery.
Full day: Pick a long section of the Iron Horse Regional Trail, which runs between Concord and Pleasanton. Start at a staging area such as Danville Blvd. or Stone Valley Rd. and check the trail page for closures first: The Walnut Creek section is closed through Oct. 12, 2026.
Rainy-season backup: Keep the ride short and paved. The Contra Costa Canal Regional Trail is paved and connects four cities, so you can turn back early. Check the manager page for maintenance closures first, and stay off any unpaved trail with a Class 2 eBike.
What not to ride in Contra Costa County
Class 3 eBikes on district trails: East Bay Regional Park District does not permit Class 3 eBikes on its trails. State law has no statewide Class 3 path ban, but the district rule applies on its land. If your bike is Class 3, ride on streets instead and check local signs.
Class 2 eBikes on unpaved trails: The district allows Class 2 eBikes only on paved regional trails. Class 1 is allowed wherever regular bikes are allowed. If you ride a throttle eBike, stay on pavement, such as Iron Horse, Delta de Anza or Lafayette-Moraga.
E-scooters, e-motos and electric skateboards: The district bans e-scooters on its trails, and 511 Contra Costa says e-motos and electric skateboards are prohibited. Sur-Ron and Segway-type bikes are treated as motorcycles under California rules, so they do not belong on regional trails.
Closed trail sections: Do not ride through posted closures: The Iron Horse trail is closed in Walnut Creek from Mt Diablo Boulevard to Civic Park from Oct. 5 to Oct. 12, 2026. The Contra Costa Canal trail may close briefly during 2026 maintenance, so check the trail page first.
When to ride Contra Costa County
The published trail information does not give seasonal hours or crowd data, so check each trail page before you go. In general, the Delta and East County areas can get hot in summer, so early morning rides are more comfortable and easier on the battery. Weekends are likely busier on shared paved trails, which makes the 15 mph limit and 5 mph passing rule more important, and rain can make paved trails slick, so slow down. Closures are the biggest timing issue right now, with Iron Horse work in Walnut Creek through Oct. 12, 2026.
California eBike laws and route permission
California defines an eBike in Vehicle Code 312.5. It has working pedals and a motor of 750 watts or less. Class 1 is pedal-assist only, and assist stops at 20 mph. Class 2 has a throttle, and the motor gives no help at 20 mph. Class 3 is pedal-assist that stops at 28 mph, and it must have a speedometer. Class 1 and 3 bikes can have a walk mode up to 3.7 mph. Bikes built or modified to go past 20 mph on motor alone, or past 750 watts, or with the pedals removed, are not eBikes under this law.
eBike riders follow the same rules as bicycle riders. Vehicle Code 21207.5 sets who can close paths and trails to eBikes. Local authorities can ban eBikes, or any class, on equestrian, hiking or recreational trails by ordinance. State Parks can do the same on any path or trail it manages. Since AB 1909 took effect on January 1, 2023, there is no statewide Class 3 path ban. Under Vehicle Code 21213, riders under 16 may not operate a Class 3.
Class 3 riders and passengers must wear a helmet on the street, a bikeway or a public path. Since January 1, 2026, Vehicle Code 21212 (AB 544) requires a helmet for anyone under 18, including eBike riders. The first charge is dismissed, and the fine is $25 or less. The citation is waived if the rider has a helmet and finishes a bicycle safety course or an eBike safety course within 120 days. We found no license or registration rule for eBikes that meet the class definitions. The City of Newport Beach notes that Sur-Ron and Segway-type bikes are treated as motorcycles. Read the full rundown at California eBike laws.
Trail access in California is set by whoever manages the trail. A city or county can ban eBikes, or specific classes, on equestrian, hiking or recreational trails by ordinance. State Parks can restrict eBikes, or any class, on any path or trail in its jurisdiction. So a trail that allows eBikes in one town may not allow them in the next. Check the posted rules or the managing agency before you go. Do not assume a Class 1 or Class 3 is welcome because it is legal on the road.
Managers can set limits by class, so your bike's class label matters. The label has been required since January 1, 2017. Vehicle Code 24016(d), as summarized on the City of Newport Beach eBike page, bars changing an eBike's speed or power without relabeling it. Bikes modified to go past 20 mph on motor alone or past 750 watts are not eBikes under state law. The same city page says Sur-Ron and Segway-type bikes are motorcycles, which need registration, insurance and an M endorsement. Do not take one onto an eBike trail.
The rules that matter most come from East Bay Regional Park District. Class 1 eBikes are allowed on all trails where regular bikes are allowed. Class 2 eBikes are allowed on all paved regional trails. Class 3 eBikes and e-scooters are not permitted. The maximum speed is 15 mph, and riders slow to 5 mph when passing. Helmets are required by law under age 18. The district board voted in September 2023 to allow Class 1 and Class 2 eBikes.
No Contra Costa County or major-city eBike ordinance, sidewalk riding rule or pending eBike change was found in the published material. On city streets, California's bicycle rules and posted signs apply. One point needs care: the Iron Horse trail page says eBikes are allowed, while the district biking rules say Class 3 is not permitted. Treat the class-specific district rule as the one that governs.
State law adds a few rules. Riders under 16 may not operate a Class 3 eBike, and Class 3 riders must wear a helmet. Under a law effective January 1, 2026, a first helmet citation for a minor is dismissed, and the fine is capped at $25. Completing a bicycle safety course within 120 days can waive the citation. Read the California eBike laws for the full state picture.
Frequently asked questions
What is the longest eBike ride in Contra Costa County?
The Iron Horse Regional Trail, listed at 32 miles as of 2014 by East Bay Regional Park District. It is paved and multi-use, and runs between Concord and Pleasanton. You do not have to ride all of it. Pick a staging area and ride out and back.
Which trails are best for a first eBike ride?
The Lafayette-Moraga Regional Trail is a good start. It is 7.65 miles, paved, and has four named staging areas. Marsh Creek, at about 6.5 miles, is another short option. Both allow Class 1 and Class 2 eBikes under district rules.
Where does the Marsh Creek trail start?
The manager facts say it runs from Creekside Park in Brentwood toward Big Break. It is paved and multi-use, about 6.5 miles long, with a planned 14 miles. Other access points are not published, so check the manager map.
Where do I start the Delta de Anza trail?
The listed trailhead is the Hillcrest Avenue Trail Staging Area. The trail is paved and multi-use, with over 15 miles open out of a planned 25. Equestrians use it, so slow down and call out when you approach horses.
Is the Iron Horse trail open right now?
Mostly, but not everywhere, the Walnut Creek section from Mt Diablo Boulevard to Civic Park is closed from Oct. 5 to Oct. 12, 2026 for PG&E vegetation management and wildlife work, while other sections are not listed as closed, so check the trail page before you go.
Can I use a throttle eBike on these trails?
Yes, if it is Class 2 and you stay on paved regional trails. The district allows Class 2 on all paved regional trails, including Iron Horse, Canal, Delta de Anza, Lafayette-Moraga and Marsh Creek. It is not allowed on unpaved trails.
Do I need to call out when passing?
Yes, 511 Contra Costa says riders must ring or call out before passing. The district also asks riders to slow to 5 mph when passing other trail users. Keep to the 15 mph maximum at other times.
Are there other paved eBike trails in the county?
Yes, the district also lists the Big Break, George Miller and San Pablo Bay regional trails, and the paved sections of the Briones to Mt. Diablo trail, as open to Class 2 eBikes. Lengths and trailheads are not published, so use the manager map.
All eBike shops in Contra Costa County
Ready to pick up a bike or get one serviced? Browse all Contra Costa County eBike shops, grouped by city.