Things To Do on an eBike in DeKalb County, IL
DeKalb County has four connected paved and limestone trails between DeKalb and Sycamore: the DeKalb-Sycamore Trail, the Great Western Trail, the DeKalb Nature Trail and the Kishwaukee-Kiwanis Trail.
The rules differ by manager. The DeKalb Park District allows Class 1 eBikes on its trails and prohibits Class 2 and Class 3. Read the rules section before you pick a route.
Where to ride in DeKalb County
The trails link up. The DeKalb County Forest Preserve says the 6 mile DeKalb / Sycamore Trail connects the DeKalb Park District trails to the City of Sycamore, and that a shared street and bike route leads from Borden Avenue to Sycamore Park, Sycamore Forest Preserve and the Great Western Trail. At the DeKalb end, TrailLink says the DeKalb Nature Trail connects to both the Kishwaukee-Kiwanis Trail and the DeKalb-Sycamore Trail near its eastern end.
Named eBike routes and access checks
1. DeKalb-Sycamore Trail (Peace Road Trail)
Distance and surface: 6 miles of asphalt per the DeKalb County Forest Preserve. TrailLink lists 6.6 miles from W. State St. in Sycamore to Pleasant St. in DeKalb.
Route: TrailLink says the trail, also known as the Peace Road Trail, parallels the eastern side of Peace Road. A spur at Bethany Road runs just shy of 1 mile north to South Prairie Elementary School. From there an on-road route along quiet residential streets and through Sycamore Community Park reaches the Great Western Trail.
Parking: TrailLink lists South Prairie Elementary School at 820 Borden Ave. in Sycamore and Market Square 10 at 2160 Sycamore Road in DeKalb.
eBike rule: This is a Forest Preserve trail. We did not find a Forest Preserve eBike rule. Illinois law lets you ride a low-speed eBike on a bicycle path unless the authority with jurisdiction prohibits it, so check the signs or call the Forest Preserve at 815-895-7191.
2. Great Western Trail, Sycamore to the Kane County line
Distance and surface: The Forest Preserve describes a mostly limestone surfaced former railroad right-of-way that runs 4 miles in DeKalb County and 14 miles into Kane County from the Sycamore Forest Preserve trailhead. TrailLink says the first stretch from Sycamore is paved, then gives way to crushed limestone.
Trailhead: The Sycamore Forest Preserve is the western trailhead, with parking, picnic shelters and a fishing pond. TrailLink lists it at 955 E State St in Sycamore.
Along the way: The Forest Preserve says the trail passes some of the best original prairie remnants in the county. TrailLink notes the Sycamore Speedway on the right a few miles further east along the trail.
eBike rule: Same as route 1 for the DeKalb County section. Past the county line the trail is in Kane County, so check the signs there too.
3. DeKalb Nature Trail
Distance and surface: TrailLink lists 1.6 miles of asphalt from N. 1st Street to Sycamore Road (SR 23).
Route: TrailLink says the trail crosses the Kishwaukee River near its western trailhead, passes through the Nehring Forest Preserve and crosses the Kishwaukee Country Club golf course. Near the eastern end, a short loop runs through County Farm Woods on the Forest Preserve Path.
Parking: TrailLink lists parking in Hopkins Park, a half mile southwest of the trail's eastern end on Sycamore Road.
4. Kishwaukee-Kiwanis Trail
Distance and surface: TrailLink lists 4.5 miles of asphalt from the DeKalb Nature Trail to W Taylor St.
Route: TrailLink says the trail follows a river through woodlands and parks and passes along the east side of the Northern Illinois University campus, so expect student commuters. The DeKalb Park District says the Kishwaukee Kiwanis Multi-Use Path links Prairie Park to the NIU campus through a Lincoln Highway underpass.
Parking: TrailLink lists Hopkins Park at 1403 Sycamore Rd. and the ballfields at the end of Oakwood Avenue.
eBike rule for routes 3 and 4: Where these trails are part of the DeKalb Park District system, the Park District rule below applies: Class 1 only, riders 15 or older. Ask the Park District which segments it manages.
DeKalb County eBike rules
DeKalb Park District: Ordinance 2026-04, passed June 18, 2026, says bicycles and Class 1 low speed e-bicycles are permitted on multi-purpose trails in the Park System. A person operating a Class 1 low speed e-bicycle must be at least 15 years of age. Class 2 and Class 3 low speed e-bicycles are prohibited.
Illinois law until 2027: Under 625 ILCS 5/11-1517, a person may operate a low-speed electric bicycle on any bicycle path unless the municipality, county or local authority with jurisdiction prohibits it or a specific class. You may not ride one on a sidewalk, and you must be 16 or older to operate a Class 3.
Coming January 1, 2027: P.A. 104-854 amends the same section. Park districts and forest preserve districts may regulate low-speed electric bicycles on their bicycle paths by ordinance or resolution, and Class 1 and Class 2 riders must be 15 or older.
Half-day and full-day eBike plans
Half day, river and campus: Park at Hopkins Park on Sycamore Rd. Ride the DeKalb Nature Trail west over the Kishwaukee River, come back and follow the Kishwaukee-Kiwanis Trail south past the NIU campus. Bring a Class 1 bike for the Park District trails.
Full day, DeKalb to the prairie: Start at Market Square 10 in DeKalb and ride the DeKalb-Sycamore Trail north to Sycamore. Follow the on-road route through Sycamore Community Park to the Sycamore Forest Preserve, then ride the Great Western Trail 4 miles to the Kane County line and back. Expect limestone after the first paved stretch.
What not to ride
A Class 2 or Class 3 eBike on DeKalb Park District trails. Ordinance 2026-04 prohibits both.
Any eBike on a sidewalk. 625 ILCS 5/11-1517 bars low-speed electric bicycles from sidewalks. On the on-road link through Sycamore, ride in the street.
A Class 1 eBike on Park District trails if the rider is under 15. The ordinance sets that age floor.
When to ride DeKalb County
The Forest Preserve lists snowmobiling and cross-country skiing among the uses of both the DeKalb / Sycamore Trail and the Great Western Trail, so expect shared use after snow. TrailLink says trees provide a little shade on the paved start of the Great Western Trail and that the limestone section is often sheltered by trees.
eBike shops near the trails
The directory lists 2 shops: Blue Moon Bikes on W State St in Sycamore and Big Greg's motorized bicycle in DeKalb. Blue Moon Bikes says it deals and services Aventon electric bicycles and at this time only services e-bikes from Aventon or iZip, so call before you bring another brand.
Frequently asked questions
Can I ride an eBike on DeKalb Park District trails?
Yes, if it is Class 1. DeKalb Park District Ordinance 2026-04 permits Class 1 low speed e-bicycles on its multi-purpose trails for riders at least 15 years of age, and prohibits Class 2 and Class 3.
How long is the DeKalb-Sycamore Trail?
The DeKalb County Forest Preserve lists it as a 6 mile asphalt trail. TrailLink lists 6.6 miles from W. State St. in Sycamore to Pleasant St. in DeKalb.
How much of the Great Western Trail is in DeKalb County?
The Forest Preserve says the trail runs 4 miles in DeKalb County and 14 miles into Kane County from the Sycamore Forest Preserve trailhead, on a mostly limestone surface.
Where do I park for the Kishwaukee-Kiwanis Trail?
TrailLink lists parking at Hopkins Park, 1403 Sycamore Rd., or the neighboring ballfields at the end of Oakwood Avenue.
Can I ride an eBike on the sidewalk in Illinois?
No. 625 ILCS 5/11-1517 says a person may not operate a low-speed electric bicycle on a sidewalk.
What changes for Illinois eBike riders on January 1, 2027?
P.A. 104-854 lets park districts and forest preserve districts regulate low-speed electric bicycles on their bicycle paths by ordinance or resolution, and sets 15 as the minimum age for Class 1 and Class 2 riders.
Which DeKalb County shop services eBikes?
Blue Moon Bikes in Sycamore says it deals and services Aventon electric bicycles and currently only services e-bikes from Aventon or iZip. Call the shop before you bring another brand.
All eBike shops in DeKalb County
See the DeKalb County eBike shops page for the full directory, and our Illinois eBike laws guide for state rules.