Things To Do on an eBike in Dubuque County, IA
The City of Dubuque maintains a 43-mile bike/hike trail system. It includes 18 miles of on-street routes and 25 miles of paved trails. Dubuque County lists the Heritage Trail at 26 miles. TrailLink lists the Heritage Trail at 29.2 miles. Treat the Heritage Trail as the main ride and add shorter trails around it.
The directory lists 4 shops in Dubuque and 1 in Worthington. A TrailLink closure notice states that as of September 2026 the portion of the Heritage Trail that parallels Iowa 3, from Clay Hill Road to Burton Furnace Road, will be temporarily closed. Read that notice before you pick a route. See our Iowa eBike laws guide for class rules, and the Dubuque County eBike shops hub for the full shop list.
Where to ride in Dubuque County
The City of Dubuque recreational trails page describes a comprehensive 43-mile bike/hike trail system. It includes 18 miles of on-street routes and 25 miles of paved trails.
The Dubuque County Trails page lists the Heritage Trail at 26 miles with a crushed limestone surface and Easy to Moderate difficulty. TrailLink lists the Heritage Trail at 29.2 miles with asphalt and crushed stone. This guide gives both listings.
TrailLink lists the Alliant Powerline Trail at 0.7 mi with an asphalt surface. TrailLink lists the Dubuque Jaycees Trail at 1.28 mi with an asphalt surface. TrailLink lists the Bee Branch Trail at 1.56 mi with asphalt and concrete surface. TrailLink lists the Bergfeld Recreation Trail at 1.8 mi with an asphalt surface. The Dubuque County physical activity resources list the Forest Hills Trail at 1.5 miles in Asbury.
Dubuque County also lists two mountain bike areas on its trails page. Interstate Power Preserve is 78 acres with about 6 miles of singletrack and advanced riding. Dubuque County Conservation manages Interstate Power Preserve. Proving Grounds Recreation Area is 137 acres with about 7 miles of singletrack and intermediate to advanced riding. Riders should confirm eBike access with the manager of each area before riding there.
When the listings disagree, call the managing office or read the sign at the trailhead. Use the Dubuque County hub to find shops before you go.
eBike shop hubs
Use these city directories for shop contact details. Call before you plan a ride around a shop.
Named eBike routes and access checks
1. Heritage Trail
Start
The Heritage Trail trailhead in Dubuque is at 11330 Rupp Hollow Road, Dubuque, IA 52001.
Length and surface
Dubuque County Trails lists 26 miles with a crushed limestone surface and Easy to Moderate difficulty. TrailLink lists 29.2 miles with asphalt and crushed stone.
Closure notice
TrailLink's closure notice states that as of September 2026 the portion of the Heritage Trail that parallels Iowa 3, from Clay Hill Road to Burton Furnace Road, will be temporarily closed. Read the full notice and check the current status before you drive out.
eBike rule
Riders should confirm Heritage Trail eBike rules with the trail manager. Read the signs at the trailhead.
Etiquette
Pick a turnaround point before you start. Do not ride past a barrier.
2. Bergfeld Recreation Trail
Start
Dubuque County lists Bergfeld Recreation Area at 7600 Chavanelle Rd., Dubuque, IA 52002. Bergfeld Recreation Area is open daily 7:00am to 10:00pm.
Surface and nearby trails
TrailLink lists the Bergfeld Recreation Trail at 1.8 mi with an asphalt surface. The county list names a 0.8 mi walking trail around the fishing pond. It also names a 1.9 mi walking trail leading from Bergfeld to Pennsylvania Ave. These are separate listings, so do not assume they are the same path.
eBike rule
Riders should confirm with the county before taking an eBike on the walking trails. Check the signs at the park.
Etiquette
Plan to finish before the park closes. Keep speed low on walking trails and give walkers room.
3. Bee Branch Trail
Start
Confirm the access point before you go.
Surface
TrailLink lists the Bee Branch Trail at 1.56 mi with asphalt and concrete surface.
eBike rule
Bee Branch Creek Greenway rules allow non-motorized skateboards, bicycles, scooters, and hoverboards. Ask the City of Dubuque whether eBikes are allowed on the segment you plan to ride. Follow the posted signs.
Closures
Check city notices before you ride.
Etiquette
Dubuque ordinance says no bicyclist shall operate a bicycle recklessly or at a speed faster than is reasonably proper.
4. Forest Hills Trail
Start
The Dubuque County physical activity resources list the Forest Hills Trail at Forest Hills Dr., Asbury, IA 52002, open daily.
Layout and surface
It is a 1.5 mile multi-use circuit recreation trail around a subdivision. Check the surface on site.
eBike rule
Riders should confirm eBike rules with the trail manager. Follow the posted signs.
Etiquette
Expect neighbors and walkers close to the path. Ride at a pace that lets you stop.
Half-day and full-day eBike plans
Half day, Heritage Trail out-and-back: The Heritage Trail trailhead in Dubuque is at 11330 Rupp Hollow Road, Dubuque, IA 52001. Ride out and back on the same trail. Before you load the bike, read the TrailLink closure notice for the Heritage Trail. Do not ride past a barrier. Set your turnaround before you start.
Half day, city trails: TrailLink lists the Alliant Powerline Trail at 0.7 mi with an asphalt surface. TrailLink lists the Dubuque Jaycees Trail at 1.28 mi with an asphalt surface. TrailLink lists the Bee Branch Trail at 1.56 mi with asphalt and concrete surface. Plan each trail as its own ride and check a map for how they connect.
Full day, Heritage Trail plus Bergfeld: Ride the Heritage Trail first, then the Bergfeld Recreation Trail. TrailLink lists the Bergfeld Recreation Trail at 1.8 mi with an asphalt surface. Bergfeld Recreation Area is open daily 7:00am to 10:00pm. Check a map for the distance between the two before you commit to both.
Short loop day, Asbury: The Forest Hills Trail is a 1.5 mile multi-use circuit recreation trail around a subdivision. Use it as a warm-up or a second ride, not as the plan for the day.
For any of these plans, keep the trail manager's contact details on your phone. Follow manager notices over any shop advice.
What not to ride in Dubuque County
The Iowa 3 stretch of the Heritage Trail while the closure notice is posted. TrailLink's closure notice states that as of September 2026 the portion of the Heritage Trail that parallels Iowa 3, from Clay Hill Road to Burton Furnace Road, will be temporarily closed. Do not ride through a barrier. Check the notice and the posted signs.
Singletrack without confirmed access. Interstate Power Preserve has about 6 miles of singletrack and advanced riding. Proving Grounds Recreation Area has about 7 miles of singletrack and intermediate to advanced riding. Confirm eBike access with the manager first.
The Bergfeld walking trails with an eBike you have not cleared. The county lists a 0.8 mi walking trail around the fishing pond. The county also lists a 1.9 mi walking trail leading from Bergfeld to Pennsylvania Ave. Ask the trail manager first, and follow the signs.
Greenway paths by assumption. Bee Branch Creek Greenway rules allow non-motorized skateboards, bicycles, scooters, and hoverboards. Confirm with the city before you ride a motorized bike there.
Anything after the park closes at Bergfeld. Bergfeld Recreation Area is open daily 7:00am to 10:00pm. Do not ride there outside posted hours.
When to ride Dubuque County
Pick a day with plenty of daylight and time to spare for a turnaround. Check the weather and the surface before you leave.
Closures can change a plan more than the calendar. Check the city and county notices on the day you ride.
Plan around park hours if you want Bergfeld. For the Heritage Trail, check the current status of the Iowa 3 section before you plan a through ride.
Iowa eBike rules snapshot
Under Iowa Code 321.235B, a low-speed electric bicycle may be operated in any place where a bicycle is allowed to operate, including bicycle lanes, bikeways, and bicycle or multi-use paths. Under Iowa Code 321.235B, a person shall not operate a class 3 low-speed electric bicycle on a bicycle lane or multi-use path in excess of the posted or applicable speed limit, or 20 miles per hour if there is no posted or applicable speed limit. Under Iowa Code 321.235B, a class 3 low-speed electric bicycle must be equipped with a speedometer that displays speed in miles per hour. Under Iowa Code 321.235B, a person under the age of sixteen shall not operate a class 3 low-speed electric bicycle.
Under Iowa Code 321.235B, low-speed electric bicycles are not subject to Code provisions on licensure, registration, titling, inspection and proof of financial liability coverage, or possession of a driver's license or permit.
Iowa Code 321.1 defines a class 1 low-speed electric bicycle as one whose motor assists only while the rider pedals and stops assisting at 20 miles per hour. Iowa Code 321.1 defines a class 2 low-speed electric bicycle as one whose motor may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle and does not assist at 20 miles per hour or more. Iowa Code 321.1 defines a class 3 low-speed electric bicycle as one whose motor assists only while the rider pedals and stops assisting at 28 miles per hour. Know your bike's class before you ride. Read the full Iowa eBike laws guide for the state summary.
The City of Dubuque Bicycle Information page states E-Bikes and E-Scooters laws continue to change to adapt and incorporate these devices. The page points to a brochure by Iowa DOT, Iowa State Patrol, and Iowa DNR for different classes of e-bikes and e-scooters, rules and requirements, where each can be ridden, and key legal references.
The Dubuque Code of Ordinances highlights that bicycles must be equipped with a white light on the front, a red light on the rear, a functional brake, and a permanent and regular seat. The Dubuque Code of Ordinances states a bicycle can only be ridden by the number of people it was designed for, and pegs are not intended to carry passengers. The Dubuque Code of Ordinances states every person riding a bicycle upon a street shall have all of the rights and duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle except as modified by Title 7, Chapter 7. The Dubuque Code of Ordinances states a person driving a bicycle upon a sidewalk or in a crosswalk shall yield the right of way to any pedestrian. The Dubuque Code of Ordinances states no bicyclist shall operate a bicycle recklessly or at a speed faster than is reasonably proper or in a manner so as to endanger the life, limb, or property of the bicyclist or of any other person.
Follow posted signs and manager notices where they differ from this page.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Heritage Trail?
Dubuque County Trails lists the Heritage Trail at 26 miles. TrailLink lists it at 29.2 miles. Plan by time and not by one figure.
Where does the Heritage Trail start in Dubuque?
The Heritage Trail trailhead in Dubuque is at 11330 Rupp Hollow Road, Dubuque, IA 52001.
Is any part of the Heritage Trail closed?
TrailLink's closure notice states that as of September 2026 the portion of the Heritage Trail that parallels Iowa 3, from Clay Hill Road to Burton Furnace Road, will be temporarily closed. Read the full notice and check the current status before you go.
Where can a low-speed eBike be ridden under Iowa law?
Under Iowa Code 321.235B, a low-speed electric bicycle may be operated in any place where a bicycle is allowed to operate, including bicycle lanes, bikeways, and bicycle or multi-use paths. Check posted signs and the trail manager for anything stricter.
Do I need a license or registration to ride a low-speed eBike in Iowa?
Under Iowa Code 321.235B, low-speed electric bicycles are not subject to Code provisions on licensure, registration, titling, inspection and proof of financial liability coverage, or possession of a driver's license or permit.
How old do you have to be to ride a Class 3 eBike in Iowa?
Under Iowa Code 321.235B, a person under the age of sixteen shall not operate a class 3 low-speed electric bicycle.
Can I rent an eBike in Dubuque County?
Call the rental contact on this page before you plan a ride around it. Ask about availability and trail access.
Can I take an eBike to Interstate Power Preserve or Proving Grounds?
Interstate Power Preserve is 78 acres with about 6 miles of singletrack and advanced riding. Proving Grounds Recreation Area is 137 acres with about 7 miles of singletrack and intermediate to advanced riding. Confirm eBike access with the manager of each area before bringing an eBike.
Rental and tour contacts
Call before planning around inventory, shuttles, or trail permission.