Things To Do on an eBike in Baltimore City, MD
Baltimore City has three long stream-valley rides for e-bikes: the 22-mile Gwynns Falls Trail, the 10-mile Jones Falls Trail and the Herring Run Trail in the northeast. The Waterfront Promenade links the harbor neighborhoods.
City code caps e-bikes at 20 mph on motor power alone and keeps them off most sidewalks, so plan your route on trails and streets.
Where to ride in Baltimore City
A stream-valley trail corridor through Baltimore City, Maryland.
Use the Gwynns Falls Trail on the west side, the Jones Falls Trail up the center of the city, and the Herring Run Trail in the northeast. The Gwynns Falls and Jones Falls trails meet at Light and Lee streets near the Inner Harbor.
1. Gwynns Falls Trail
The Department of Recreation and Parks describes a 22-mile corridor of hiking and bicycling trails following the Gwynns Falls through Gwynns Falls Leakin Park to downtown, with a 10.75-mile mainline and branches including the Middle Branch, Hutton and Dickeyville trails. It mixes trail alignments, sidepaths and on-street sections, and parts of it are on the East Coast Greenway. Trailhead parking is at the I-70 Park and Ride, Winans Meadow, Windsor Mill Road, Leon Day Park and Frederick Avenue.
2. Jones Falls Trail
The city describes a 10-mile hiking and bicycling trail from Light and Lee streets, where it meets the Gwynns Falls Trail, through downtown and up the Jones Falls Valley. It circles Druid Hill Park, including the bike path around Druid Hill Reservoir, then runs through Woodberry to Cylburn off Northern Parkway. Much of it is on dedicated paths, with some southern portions along roads, and the city says it is still under construction.
3. Herring Run Trail
TrailLink lists a 2.5-mile asphalt and dirt trail through the 375-acre Herring Run Park in Northeast Baltimore, between Harford Road and Sinclair Lane, and calls it a cornerstone of the developing 35-mile Baltimore Greenway Trails Network. Access it at Harford Road and Chesterfield Avenue, where street parking is available.
4. Waterfront Promenade
The Department of Planning describes the eight-mile Waterfront Promenade as a public pedestrian walkway and shared-use bicycle path along the harbor. Bicycle access on parts of the promenade has been restricted and the Department of Transportation runs a Promenade Bicycle Access Pilot Project, so follow posted signs, yield to pedestrians and walk the bike where riding is not allowed.
Maryland eBike laws and route permission
Baltimore City Code section 38-18 says an e-bike may not be ridden faster than 20 mph when propelled solely by the motor, by anyone under 16 without a helmet, without a headlight after dusk or before dawn, or where bicycles are prohibited. It may not be ridden on a sidewalk unless the posted speed on the abutting street is 30 mph or more and the e-bike goes no faster than 6 mph.
Under Maryland Transportation 21-1205.2, e-bikes may go where bicycles are allowed, including bike lanes. A local authority may prohibit Class 1 or Class 2 e-bikes on a bicycle path, and a Class 3 may not use a bicycle path unless it is within or next to a highway right-of-way or the authority allows it. Nobody under 16 may operate a Class 3 on a public highway.
Half-day and full-day eBike plans
Half day: Start at Winans Meadow and ride a section of the Gwynns Falls Trail through Leakin Park, out and back.
Full day: Ride the Jones Falls Trail from the Inner Harbor north around Druid Hill Park to Cylburn, then return the same way.
What not to ride in Baltimore City
Most sidewalks. City code allows sidewalk riding only beside streets posted at 30 mph or more, at 6 mph or less.
Promenade sections closed to bikes. Follow the posted signs.
When to ride Baltimore City
City code requires a headlight after dusk and before dawn. A guided hike leaves at 10 a.m. on Thursdays in Gwynns Falls Leakin Park, so expect more walkers then.
eBike shop hubs
The directory lists 10 businesses in Baltimore, including Juice Junkiez, an electric bicycle store on Cherry Hill Road, and Baltimore Bicycle Works on Falls Road.
Rental and tour operators
No rental or tour operator appears in this county's directory. Phone the shops on the Baltimore City eBike shops before you count on renting.
Frequently asked questions
What is the e-bike speed limit in Baltimore City?
City Code section 38-18 bars riding faster than 20 mph when the e-bike is propelled solely by the electric motor.
Can I ride an e-bike on Baltimore sidewalks?
Only beside a street posted at 30 mph or more, and no faster than 6 mph, under City Code section 38-18.
How long is the Gwynns Falls Trail?
The city describes a 22-mile corridor with a 10.75-mile mainline and several branches.
Where does the Jones Falls Trail go?
From Light and Lee streets near the Inner Harbor north through Druid Hill Park and Woodberry to Cylburn off Northern Parkway, about 10 miles.
Do e-bike riders need a helmet in Baltimore?
City code bars anyone under 16 from riding an e-bike without a helmet.
Can I ride an e-bike on the Waterfront Promenade?
The city calls the promenade a shared-use bicycle path, but bike access on parts of it is restricted under a city pilot. Follow posted signs and walk where riding is not allowed.
All shops in Baltimore City
See the Baltimore City eBike shops page for the full directory, and our Maryland eBike laws guide for state rules.