Things To Do on an eBike in Will County, IL
Will County rides are mostly flat, linear trails run by the Forest Preserve District of Will County. The I&M Canal Trail, DuPage River Trail, Old Plank Road Trail, Wauponsee Glacial Trail and Centennial Trail cover short out-and-back rides and long all-day routes. Surfaces are paved or crushed limestone.
The district's general rule is the one to plan around. It allows Class 1 eBikes only, with no throttle, a motor under 750 watts, working pedals and a rider at least 16. Natural surface trails are closed to bicycles. Where a trail page lists no separate eBike rule, follow posted signs and the manager map.
Where to ride in Will County
The routes sit in several parts of the county. The I&M Canal Trail starts around Joliet. The Centennial Trail begins at Schneider's Passage in Romeoville and runs toward the Cook County line. The DuPage River Trail covers Shorewood and Naperville. The Old Plank Road Trail runs from Joliet east through New Lenox and Frankfort. The Wauponsee Glacial Trail is the long southern route, with access at Sugar Creek Preserve and Forked Creek Preserve.
The Riverview Farmstead segment is the shortest at 0.83 mile, and the Centennial Trail follows at 3.26 miles. The I&M Canal Trail is 7.57 miles, and the DuPage River Trail is roughly 8.6 to 8.9 miles, because both figures are given. Old Plank Road is 22 miles overall, and Wauponsee Glacial is about 22 miles. Most routes are paved, while Wauponsee's southern 19.49 miles and parts of the I&M Canal are crushed limestone. Only the I&M Canal and DuPage River routes state the district rule outright.
eBike shop hubs
Need a shop near your route? These city pages list the Will County eBike shops in each area, from Naperville and Bolingbrook to Joliet and Wilmington.
- eBike shops in Naperville
- eBike shops in Bolingbrook
- eBike shops in Wilmington
- eBike shops in Lockport
- eBike shops in Romeoville
- eBike shops in New Lenox
- eBike shops in Plainfield
- eBike shops in Joliet
Rental and tour contacts
For a rental, IL E-Bikes Rentals and Sales is the rental business listed for Will County. Call ahead to confirm which classes it offers, since district trails allow Class 1 only.
IL E-Bikes Rentals and Sales🚲 Rentals
Named eBike routes and access checks
1. I&M Canal Trail: Joliet's canal-side route
The I&M Canal Trail is the most direct ride from Joliet's historic core. It runs in four segments through Will County and is managed by the Forest Preserve District of Will County. Trailheads include Joliet Iron Works Historic Site, Second Street Access, Schneider's Passage and Isle a la Cache. The surface is a mix of crushed limestone and pavement, so a tire wider than a road bike's is more comfortable. The route is linear, which makes it easy to ride out and back and turn around when your battery or legs say so. The district's general eBike rule applies: Class 1 only, no throttle, working pedals, and a rider at least 16. Segments are separate, so check the manager map for the gaps between them before you plan a long ride.
Distance: 7.57 miles in four segments, per the Forest Preserve District of Will County; start: Joliet Iron Works Historic Site, Second Street Access, Schneider's Passage or Isle a la Cache; surface: Crushed limestone and paved sections.
eBike access: I&M Canal Trail: the district's general rule applies: Class 1 only, no throttle, motor under 750 watts, functional pedals, rider at least 16 years old. Etiquette and planning: Keep to 10 mph where no limit is posted. Pass walkers slowly and call out. Check the manager map for segment breaks before you head out. Managing source: Forest Preserve District of Will County, I&M Canal Trail.
2. DuPage River Trail, paved miles through woods and wetland
The DuPage River Trail covers the north end of the county in three paved segments. The Forest Preserve District of Will County manages it in partnership with 12 other agencies. The Hammel Woods segment is 4.4 miles, hilly, and runs through woodland from the Crumby Recreation Area on Black Road in Shorewood. The Whalon Lake segment is 3.71 miles, flat, and loops through wetland and around the lake. The Riverview Farmstead Preserve segment is 0.83 mile of flat, open riding past a historic farmstead. The trail page gives conflicting totals: three segments totaling 8.64 miles, and also three paved segments totaling 8.94 miles. Treat the total as roughly 8.6 to 8.9 miles. The district's general eBike rule applies on all segments.
Distance: Three segments; the page lists both 8.64 miles and 8.94 miles, per the Forest Preserve District of Will County; start: Hammel Woods Crumby Recreation Area on Black Road in Shorewood, Whalon Lake in Naperville, or Riverview Farmstead Preserve in Naperville; surface: Paved.
eBike access: DuPage River Trail: the district's general rule applies: Class 1 only, no throttle, motor under 750 watts, functional pedals, rider at least 16 years old. Etiquette and planning: Expect hills at Hammel Woods and slow down on descents. Share the loop at Whalon Lake with walkers. Stay at or under 10 mph where no limit is posted. Managing source: Forest Preserve District of Will County, DuPage River Trail.
3. Whalon Lake loop, the easy flat option
The Whalon Lake segment of the DuPage River Trail is the simplest ride in the county for a first outing. It is 3.71 miles, flat and paved. It combines a loop and a linear stretch through wetland and around Whalon Lake in Naperville. You can also reach it from Hidden Oaks Preserve. Because it is flat, battery range is rarely a concern, and a Class 1 eBike will do fine. The Forest Preserve District of Will County manages the trail, and its general eBike rule applies. Weekends can bring more walkers and families to a lake loop, so ride predictably and keep to the right. If you want more miles, continue to the other DuPage River segments.
Distance: 3.71 miles, per the Forest Preserve District of Will County; start: Whalon Lake in Naperville, or Hidden Oaks Preserve; surface: Paved.
eBike access: Whalon Lake loop: the district's general rule applies: Class 1 only, no throttle, motor under 750 watts, functional pedals, rider at least 16 years old. Etiquette and planning: Keep right, pass with a call or bell, and hold 10 mph where no limit is posted. Weekend mornings tend to be busier. Managing source: Forest Preserve District of Will County, DuPage River Trail.
4. Old Plank Road Trail: 22 paved miles east of Joliet
The Old Plank Road Trail is the longest paved option in the county. It runs from Joliet east through New Lenox, Frankfort, Matteson, Park Forest and Chicago Heights. Several agencies own it, including the Forest Preserve District, the Village of Frankfort, Rich Township, the Village of Park Forest and the Village of Matteson. The Forest Preserve District owns and manages 11.5 of the 14.2 miles inside Will County. Trailheads include Washington Street Access, Park Road Access, and the Hickory Creek Preserve access points at Hickory Creek Barrens and Hickory Creek Junction. The trail page lists no separate eBike rule. Because ownership changes along the route, watch for signs at each handoff.
Distance: 22 miles, per the Forest Preserve District of Will County; start: Washington Street Access, Park Road Access, or the Hickory Creek Preserve trailheads at Hickory Creek Barrens and Hickory Creek Junction; surface: Paved.
eBike access: The trail page lists no separate eBike rule. Several agencies own the trail, so follow posted signs and check the manager map. Etiquette and planning: Pace yourself on a 22-mile route and plan your turnaround. Slow for road crossings and keep to 10 mph where no limit is posted. Managing source: Forest Preserve District of Will County, Old Plank Road Trail.
5. Wauponsee Glacial Trail, the long southern route
The Wauponsee Glacial Trail is the long southern route, managed by the Forest Preserve District of Will County. A short 2.80-mile northern segment is paved. The 19.49-mile southern segment is crushed limestone. Trailheads include Sugar Creek Preserve, the Midewin-Wauponsee Trailhead and Forked Creek Preserve at the Ballou Road Access. This is the route for a full-day ride, and the limestone surface suits a wider tire. The trail page gives conflicting lengths: 22.42 miles in one place and a 22.29-mile linear trail in another. Plan for about 22 miles. The trail page lists no separate eBike rule, so check posted signs and the manager map.
Distance: The page lists both 22.42 miles and 22.29 miles, per the Forest Preserve District of Will County; start: Sugar Creek Preserve, the Midewin-Wauponsee Trailhead, or Forked Creek Preserve at the Ballou Road Access; surface: 2.80 miles paved in the north and 19.49 miles crushed limestone in the south.
eBike access: The trail page lists no separate eBike rule. Check posted signs and the manager map before you ride. Etiquette and planning: Carry water and a spare tube, since limestone can be rough after rain. Stay at 10 mph where no limit is posted, and plan your turnaround. Managing source: Forest Preserve District of Will County, Wauponsee Glacial Trail.
6. Centennial Trail, short paved link from Romeoville
The Centennial Trail is a short, paved, linear path in the northeast part of the county. It runs 3.26 miles from Schneider's Passage in Romeoville northeast to the Cook County line. Trailheads include Schneider's Passage and Isle a la Cache. The Forest Preserve District of Will County manages it. Schneider's Passage is also a trailhead for the I&M Canal Trail, so the two routes can be combined into a longer day. The trail page lists no separate eBike rule. The district's pages state a general rule for its trails, so the safest choice is a Class 1 eBike with no throttle, and a rider at least 16. Confirm with signs on site.
Distance: 3.26 miles, per the Forest Preserve District of Will County; start: Schneider's Passage in Romeoville, or Isle a la Cache; surface: Paved.
eBike access: The trail page lists no separate eBike rule. The safest choice is a Class 1 eBike, and posted signs control. Etiquette and planning: Treat it as an out-and-back or pair it with the I&M Canal Trail. Keep to 10 mph where no limit is posted and slow at crossings. Managing source: Forest Preserve District of Will County, Centennial Trail.
Planning a Will County ride
Charging locations along these trails are not published, so charge fully before you leave and plan a turnaround with battery to spare. Linear trails such as the I&M Canal and Old Plank Road make it easy to ride out and back. Pick a trailhead from the manager map and confirm parking there before you go.
Crowd levels and closures are not published for each trail. The Forest Preserve District of Will County posts current information on its trail pages, and signs at trailheads control. Expect more walkers near lake loops and preserve entrances. If a segment is closed, switch to another route rather than riding on a natural surface trail, where bicycles are not allowed.
Half-day and full-day eBike plans
Half day: Ride the I&M Canal Trail from Joliet Iron Works Historic Site. At 7.57 miles in four segments, it fits a few hours with stops. Check the manager map for gaps between segments. Alternatively, add the 3.26-mile Centennial Trail from Schneider's Passage in Romeoville for a second short ride.
Full day: Take the Wauponsee Glacial Trail, about 22 miles, starting at Sugar Creek Preserve or Forked Creek Preserve. The southern 19.49 miles are crushed limestone, so bring a spare tube and water. Or ride the 22-mile Old Plank Road Trail from Washington Street Access and watch for signs at each ownership change.
With kids: Choose the flat, paved Whalon Lake segment of the DuPage River Trail, 3.71 miles in Naperville. Adults on eBikes should use Class 1 with no throttle. District rules require eBike riders to be at least 16, so younger riders should use regular bikes. The 0.83-mile Riverview Farmstead segment is a shorter add-on.
What not to ride in Will County
Natural surface trails: District rules say bicycles may only be used on designated paths, trails or roadways. Bicycles are not allowed on natural surface trails. If a trail is unpaved dirt rather than crushed limestone or pavement, leave the eBike at the trailhead.
Class 2 and Class 3 eBikes on district trails: The district's general rule allows Class 1 only, and its ordinance prohibits bicycles capable of exceeding 21 mph, described as Class 2 or Class 3 eBikes. A throttle eBike is a poor fit on Forest Preserve trails.
Riders under 16 on eBikes: The district's general eBike rule requires the rider to be at least 16 years old. Younger riders should use regular bicycles on district trails. Check signs and the manager map for other managers' paths.
Fast riding on shared paths: With no posted limit, Ordinance No. 124 sets a 10 mph speed limit. Posted limits override that figure. Many eBikes cruise faster than 10 mph, so use a low assist level near walkers, families and trailheads.
When to ride Will County
Paved and crushed limestone routes can be ridden in several seasons, but conditions change. Summer brings heat and more people on lake loops, so early mornings are easier. Spring rain can leave limestone surfaces soft or rough, and winter may bring ice or snow on trails. Hours and closures are not listed here, so check the Forest Preserve District of Will County page for the trail before you go. Cold weather also cuts battery range, so carry less distance than you think you need.
Illinois eBike laws and route permission
Illinois defines a low-speed electric bicycle in 625 ILCS 5/1-140.10. It must have fully operable pedals and a motor under 750 watts. Class 1 motors assist only while you pedal and stop assisting at 20 mph. Class 2 motors can propel the bike without pedaling and stop assisting at 20 mph. Class 3 motors assist only while pedaling and stop at 28 mph. A low-speed eBike is not a moped or a motor driven cycle. Public Act 104-854 (SB 3484), signed August 26, 2026, takes effect January 1, 2027. It adds that any electric bicycle that is not low-speed counts as a motor driven cycle.
Under 625 ILCS 5/11-1517, bicycle rules apply to eBikes. You may ride on roads and in bike lanes. You may not ride on sidewalks. Today, you may use any bicycle path unless the municipality, county or local authority prohibits eBikes or a class. Class 3 riders must be 16 or older. A passenger under 16 may ride on a Class 3 only if the bike is built to carry one. On January 1, 2027, paths close only if a State agency with jurisdiction prohibits eBikes. Park, forest preserve, conservation and transit districts may regulate by ordinance. Class 1 and 2 riders must be 15 or older. Other units of local government, including home rule units, may not regulate eBikes after that date.
Illinois law has no helmet requirement for eBike riders, in the statute or in the Act. We checked the statute and the new Act, and neither adds one. Low-speed eBikes need no license and no registration. Still, a helmet is a smart choice, and some local rules or park rules may differ from what you expect, so check before you ride. For a fuller walkthrough, read our guide to Illinois eBike laws.
Who decides if you can ride a trail depends on the date. Right now, a municipality, county or local authority can prohibit eBikes, or a class of eBike, on a bicycle path. After January 1, 2027, a State agency with jurisdiction makes that call, and DNR rules come into play. Park districts, forest preserve districts, conservation districts and transit districts may also regulate by ordinance. Check the manager of the trail before you go, because a path open to bicycles is not always open to your class.
Managers may set limits by class, so know which class you own. Your eBike must carry a label showing its class, top assisted speed and wattage. Do not tamper with the bike's speed or power without relabeling it. Class 3 bikes need a speedometer, and Class 3 riders must be 16 or older. Trail speed limits come from the managing district, so look for posted signs and district ordinances. Stay off sidewalks while you travel to the trailhead.
The Forest Preserve District of Will County sets the main rules for its trails. Its general rule allows Class 1 eBikes only: no throttle, motor under 750 watts, functional pedals, rider at least 16. Bicycles are limited to designated paths, trails and roadways, and are not allowed on natural surface trails. Where no limit is posted, Ordinance No. 124 sets a 10 mph speed limit.
The district's own pages conflict on speed. Its Biking page says an eBike's maximum speed must be under 20 mph. Ordinance No. 124, Section 5(f), prohibits bicycles capable of exceeding 21 mph, which it identifies as Class 2 or Class 3 eBikes. Both point toward Class 1. The Old Plank Road, Wauponsee Glacial and Centennial trail pages list no separate eBike rule, and no sidewalk-specific rule was found, so follow signs.
State law changes on January 1, 2027, when P.A. 104-854 takes effect. It lets forest preserve districts and park districts regulate eBikes by ordinance, and it sets age rules for each class. No district changes with dates are published. Read Illinois eBike laws for the state rules.
Frequently asked questions
Which Will County trail is best for a first eBike ride?
The Whalon Lake segment of the DuPage River Trail is a good start. It is 3.71 miles, flat and paved, with a loop through wetland and around the lake in Naperville. The I&M Canal Trail at 7.57 miles is the next step up.
Where does the I&M Canal Trail start?
It has several trailheads: Joliet Iron Works Historic Site, Second Street Access, Schneider's Passage and Isle a la Cache. The trail runs in four segments, so check the manager map for the gaps before planning a long ride.
How long is the DuPage River Trail?
The trail page gives two totals: three segments totaling 8.64 miles, and three paved segments totaling 8.94 miles. The Hammel Woods segment is 4.4 miles, Whalon Lake is 3.71 miles, and Riverview Farmstead is 0.83 mile.
Is the Old Plank Road Trail all paved?
Yes, the trail page describes it as a 22-mile paved path. Several agencies own it, though. The Forest Preserve District manages 11.5 of the 14.2 miles in Will County, so check signs where ownership changes.
What surface is the Wauponsee Glacial Trail?
The northern segment is 2.80 miles of pavement. The southern segment is 19.49 miles of crushed limestone. The page lists the total as both 22.42 and 22.29 miles, so plan for about 22 miles.
How do I get to the Centennial Trail?
Start at Schneider's Passage in Romeoville or at Isle a la Cache. The paved trail runs 3.26 miles northeast to the Cook County line. It is managed by the Forest Preserve District of Will County.
Do I need a helmet or license for an eBike in Will County?
The state statute and the Act contain no helmet requirement, and low-speed eBikes need no license or registration. A helmet is still sensible on hilly sections such as Hammel Woods, so see Illinois eBike laws.
Will the rules change in 2027?
State law changes on January 1, 2027, under P.A. 104-854. It sets age rules by class and lets forest preserve districts regulate eBikes by ordinance. No district changes with dates are published, so check the district's pages before riding.
All eBike shops in Will County
Ready to buy, rent or get service? Browse all Will County eBike shops and find a store near your route.