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Things To Do on an eBike in Macomb County, MI

Macomb County has one long county-run trail, one lake loop and several asphalt corridors that link up. The Macomb Orchard Trail runs about 24 miles from Shelby Township to Richmond. Stony Creek Metropark has a paved lake loop of about six miles. The Clinton River Park Trail and Metro Parkway Trail each run just over ten miles through the southern cities.

The rules change with the manager. The Orchard Trail allows Class 1 and Class 2 eBikes, bans Class 3 for general use and caps eBikes at 10 mph. For the other routes, no eBike rule is published, so the Michigan default applies. This guide gives each route's length, surface, start point and eBike rule so you can pick a ride and read the posted signs with confidence.

Orientation map, not a verified riding route.Open county map

Where to ride in Macomb County

Most routes sit in the western and southern parts of the county. Shelby Township holds the Orchard Trail start, Stony Creek Metropark and the River Bends Park end of the Clinton River Park Trail. Sterling Heights holds the other end of that trail. Harrison Township has Metro Beach Metropark, the end of the Metro Parkway Trail. Mount Clemens is where the Clinton River Spillway begins, near Shadyside Park.

The Orchard Trail is the longest at about 24 miles, followed by the Metro Parkway Trail at 10.7 and the Clinton River Park Trail at 10.2. The Stony Creek loop is about six miles. Surfaces are asphalt and concrete on the Orchard and Metro Parkway trails, asphalt on the Clinton River Park Trail, and paved at Stony Creek. The Spillway path's length and surface are not published. Only the Orchard Trail has a published eBike policy.

eBike shop hubs

Shops are listed by city. Pick the city nearest your route to find a bicycle shop, repair counter or rental close to the trailhead.

Rental and tour contacts

Two rental businesses are listed for the county, BIKE LIFE RENTAL and Beach Shop. Call ahead to confirm what each one rents and whether eBikes are available.

BIKE LIFE RENTAL🚲 Rentals

Motorcycle rental agency · Warren, MI

★★★★½4.8(25 reviews)

📍 3511 8 Mile Rd Warren, MI 48091

📍 Directions Details → 🔑 Claim

Beach Shop🚲 Rentals

Bicycle rental service · Harrison Township, MI

📍 Harrison Township, MI 48045 Harrison Township, MI 48045 📞 (844) 935-2925

Website → 📞 Call 📍 Directions Details → 🔑 Claim

Named eBike routes and access checks

1. Macomb Orchard Trail, the long county spine

The Macomb Orchard Trail is a linear park and trailway that Macomb County operates from 24 Mile Road and Dequindre in Shelby Township northeast to the City of Richmond. The county gives the length as 24 miles. TrailLink says 23.5 miles. Either way, plan battery range for the return trip if you ride out and back. The surface is asphalt and concrete, which suits most tires. The Macomb Orchard Trail Commission's eBike policy was amended December 7, 2021. It allows Class 1 and Class 2, prohibits Class 3 for general use, and applies the 10 mph cap to eBikes. At the south end of Stony Creek Metropark, a connecting trail near the park office joins the Orchard Trail, so you can pair the two rides in one outing.

Distance: 24 miles per Macomb County, or 23.5 miles per TrailLink; start: Trailhead at 24 Mile Road and Dequindre in Shelby Township; surface: Asphalt and concrete, per Macomb County.

eBike access: Class 1 and Class 2 eBikes are allowed. Class 3 is prohibited for general use. eBikes must be labeled with their class and stay at or under 10 mph. Etiquette and planning: Keep the class label readable on your bike. Hold 10 mph, call out when passing, and check the county trail page for closures before a long ride. Managing source: Macomb County, Macomb Orchard Trail.

2. Stony Creek Metropark Hike-Bike Trail, the lake loop

Huron-Clinton Metroparks manages Stony Creek Metropark in Shelby Township, and the paved Hike-Bike Trail circles Stony Creek Lake. The Metroparks page calls it a 6.1-mile loop and also a 6.2-mile trail, so plan on about six miles. That is short enough for a relaxed lap on a low assist setting. The trailhead is at 4300 Main Park Road. The park also has 13 miles of mountain bike and hiking trails and 10 more miles of hiking trails. The county master plan describes a seven-mile paved path, a slightly different figure, so check the park map. A connecting trail near the park office links to the Macomb Orchard Trail. No eBike rule for the Hike-Bike Trail is published, so the state default applies.

Distance: About 6 miles: a 6.1-mile loop and a 6.2-mile trail, both on the Metroparks page; start: 4300 Main Park Road, Shelby Township, MI 48316; surface: Paved, per Huron-Clinton Metroparks.

eBike access: No park-specific eBike rule is published. The state default applies: Class 1 on paved trails unless the manager restricts it, and Class 2 or 3 only where authorized. Etiquette and planning: Expect walkers and families around the lake. Slow down at blind curves. Stay off the mountain bike and hiking trails unless the park posts eBikes as allowed. Managing source: Huron-Clinton Metroparks, Stony Creek Metropark.

3. Clinton River Park Trail: Shelby Township to Sterling Heights

The Clinton River Park Trail runs 10.2 miles between River Bends Park at 5700 22 Mile Road in Shelby Township and 39850 Edison Street in Sterling Heights. TrailLink lists it as asphalt and wheelchair accessible, with biking, walking, inline skating and fishing as uses. The managing agency is not published, so check posted signs at River Bends Park for the current manager and notices. No eBike rule is published for the trail, and the state default applies. The Metro Parkway Trail links to it by way of Schoenherr and Utica Road, which opens a route toward Harrison Township and Metro Beach. With a clear endpoint at each end, it is an easy ride to plan as a one-way shuttle or an out-and-back.

Distance: 10.2 miles, per TrailLink; start: River Bends Park, 5700 22 Mile Road, Shelby Township; surface: Asphalt, per TrailLink.

eBike access: Clinton River Park Trail: no eBike rule is published. The state default applies: Class 1 on paved trails unless the manager prohibits it, and Class 2 or 3 only where authorized. Etiquette and planning: Anglers and walkers share the path. Yield to them, keep assist low near River Bends Park, and confirm the manager on posted signs. Managing source: macombgov.org Macomb Orchard Trail.

4. Metro Parkway Trail, toward Metro Beach

The Metro Parkway Trail, also known as the Freedom Trail, runs 10.7 miles between Metro Beach Metropark in Harrison Township and Metropolitan Parkway and Schoenherr Road in Sterling Heights. TrailLink lists the surface as asphalt and concrete. The managing agency is not published for the trail itself. Near Interstate 94 it connects to the Clinton River Spillway Bike Path, and it links to the Clinton River Park Trail via Schoenherr and Utica Road. That makes it the connector of the southern network, and a way to string together a longer day. No eBike rule is published for the trail, so the state default applies. Check posted signs at each access point for notices.

Distance: 10.7 miles, per TrailLink; start: Metro Beach Metropark in Harrison Township, or Metropolitan Parkway and Schoenherr Road in Sterling Heights; surface: Asphalt and concrete, per TrailLink.

eBike access: Metro Parkway Trail: no eBike rule is published. The state default applies: Class 1 on paved trails unless the manager prohibits it, and Class 2 or 3 only where authorized. Etiquette and planning: Watch for road crossings and junctions where trails meet. Confirm which agency manages the section you are on before relying on any rule. Managing source: macombgov.org Macomb Orchard Trail.

5. Clinton River Spillway Bike Path: Mount Clemens to Lake St. Clair

The Clinton River Spillway begins in Mount Clemens near Shadyside Park, passes through parts of Clinton and Harrison Townships, and spills into Lake St. Clair. The Clinton River Spillway Authority manages it, with administration from the Macomb County Public Works Office. The bike path connects to the Metro Parkway Trail near Interstate 94, so many riders reach it from that trail. The length and surface of the path are not published. Because of that, treat it as a ride to scout first rather than one to plan battery range around. No eBike rule is published for it, and the state default applies. Use the manager map and posted signs to confirm access.

Distance: Length is not published; check the manager map; start: Shadyside Park area in Mount Clemens; surface: Check the manager page for current surface.

eBike access: Clinton River Spillway Bike Path: no eBike rule is published. The state default applies: Class 1 on paved trails unless the manager prohibits it, and Class 2 or 3 only where authorized. Etiquette and planning: Scout a short section before committing to a long ride. Follow posted signs, and check with the Spillway Authority or county Public Works if a section looks closed. Managing source: Macomb County, Parks and Natural Resources Master Plan.

Planning a Macomb County ride

Charging locations along the routes are not published, so charge fully at home or at your shop before you start. The Orchard Trail is about 24 miles one way, which is a lot for a small battery if you ride out and back. The Stony Creek loop is about six miles and is easy on range. Carry a charger if you plan a long day, and ask your host shop about charging.

The county posted a closure of the Macomb Orchard Trail from 29 Mile Road north to 33 Mile Road for July 20 to 22, 2026, for vegetation maintenance along the transmission line corridor. That date has passed, but similar work can recur, so check the county trail page before a long ride. Crowd levels are not published. Expect more walkers and families on the Stony Creek loop on nice days.

Half-day and full-day eBike plans

Half day: Ride the Stony Creek Metropark Hike-Bike Trail, about six miles around the lake, starting at 4300 Main Park Road in Shelby Township. Add the connecting trail near the park office to sample the first stretch of the Macomb Orchard Trail, then turn back. Keep to Class 1 or Class 2 on the Orchard Trail and stay under 10 mph.

Full day: Take the Macomb Orchard Trail from 24 Mile Road and Dequindre toward Richmond. It is about 24 miles one way, so decide your turnaround point by battery level. Leave your Class 3 bike at home, since it is prohibited for general use. Carry water, a charger and a plan for the return.

Rainy-season backup: Choose a short stretch of the Clinton River Park Trail near River Bends Park in Shelby Township. The trail is asphalt and wheelchair accessible, per TrailLink, so it handles wet weather better than unpaved paths. Ride a few miles, turn around, and check posted signs for the current manager.

What not to ride in Macomb County

Macomb Orchard Trail on a Class 3: Class 3 eBikes are prohibited for general use on the Macomb Orchard Trail. The policy also limits all eBikes to 10 mph. If your bike is a Class 3, use public roads or bike lanes where state law allows, and confirm the rules on each trail first.

Natural-surface trails at Stony Creek: The park has 13 miles of mountain bike and hiking trails. No eBike rule for them is published. State law bars eBikes on designated nonmotorized natural-surface trails unless the manager allows them. Ask the park office before riding them.

Class 2 or 3 on trails with no published rule: On paved trails like the Clinton River Park Trail and Metro Parkway Trail, no eBike rule is published. Under state law, Class 2 and 3 need authorization from the manager. Without it posted, stick with Class 1 or pick another route.

Sidewalks and city streets: No county or major-city sidewalk eBike rule is published. Cities that prohibit nonemergency motor vehicles must authorize eBikes. Watch for local signs, avoid crowded sidewalks, and use bike lanes and shoulders, which state law opens to eBikes where bicycles are allowed.

When to ride Macomb County

Macomb County has four seasons, and trail use follows them. Late spring through early fall is the easiest riding window, though summer afternoons can be hot, so ride early and carry water. Weekends are likely busier on lake and park routes such as Stony Creek and Metro Beach. Winter conditions can make paved trails icy or snowy, and hours and maintenance closures are not published for most routes, so check the manager page before you go.

Michigan eBike laws and route permission

Michigan defines an eBike in MCL 257.13e. It must have a seat or saddle, fully operable pedals, and a motor of no more than 750 watts. There are three classes. Class 1 is pedal-assist only, and the motor stops helping at 20 mph. Class 2 can move the bike without pedaling, and the motor stops at 20 mph or when the brakes are applied. Class 3 is pedal-assist and stops helping at 28 mph. Michigan's eBike rules took effect January 28, 2018, under 2017 PA 139. The statute text we checked was current through PA 103 of 2026, fetched October 9, 2026.

Under MCL 257.662a, an eBike may be ridden on any part of a highway open to bicycles, including bike lanes and shoulders. state law here does not spell out a sidewalk rule, so check local rules. A Class 3 operator must be at least 14, though a younger passenger is allowed. Cities that prohibit nonemergency motor vehicles, and Mackinac Island State Park, require authorization first. Local or state agencies can regulate or prohibit eBikes on trails, and they must hold a public hearing before they do. Bills in 2026 (HIB 6340 and SIB 1156) would amend section 662a. They had not been enacted when we checked on October 9, 2026.

Anyone under 18 who operates or rides as a passenger on a Class 3 eBike must wear a helmet that meets CPSC or ASTM standards. The statute does not require helmets for other riders in the sourced notes we reviewed. Michigan has no statewide license or registration requirement for eBikes that comply with the law. Each eBike must carry a label showing its class, top assisted speed, and wattage. Changing a bike so it goes over 750 watts, or outside the definitions, means it is no longer legally an eBike. For a plain-language summary, read Michigan eBike laws.

On trails, the land manager decides. Class 1 eBikes may use linear asphalt, crushed-limestone, and rail trails unless the local or state agency regulates or prohibits them. Class 2 and Class 3 eBikes may use those same trails only if the local government or agency authorizes it. Before you ride, check the trail's own posted rules or contact the managing agency. Rules can differ from one trail to the next, even within a single county.

Designated nonmotorized natural-surface trails are closed to eBikes unless the local government or agency allows them. Do not assume a dirt path is open because bicycles are. Agencies must hold a public hearing before they prohibit, authorize, or regulate eBikes, so signs reflect a formal decision. These trail rules do not apply to congressionally authorized public trail systems. Keep your class label intact and unaltered. Tampering that changes the speed or power rating requires a new label, and a bike over 750 watts is not an eBike, so trail permissions would not cover it.

No Macomb County or major-city eBike ordinance is published, and no sidewalk eBike rule is published, so the Michigan default applies. eBikes follow bicycle rules, may use bike lanes and shoulders, and may use paved linear trails at Class 1 unless the manager prohibits it. Class 2 and 3 on those trails need authorization. See Michigan eBike laws for the state side.

The Macomb Orchard Trail has the one published local policy. Class 1 and Class 2 are allowed, Class 3 is prohibited for general use, eBikes must be labeled with class, and the 10 mph cap applies. Source conflicts exist on length. Macomb County says the trail is 24 miles and TrailLink says 23.5. The Metroparks page calls the Stony Creek loop both 6.1 and 6.2 miles.

The Orchard Trail policy was last amended December 7, 2021. The only dated upcoming item published was a July 20 to 22, 2026 closure for vegetation maintenance, which has passed. At the state level, two 2026 bills, HB 6340 and SB 1156, would amend the eBike statute. They are not enacted as of this writing. Check the manager page before each ride.

Frequently asked questions

What is the longest eBike route in Macomb County?

The Macomb Orchard Trail is the longest. Macomb County lists it at 24 miles from Shelby Township to Richmond. TrailLink lists 23.5 miles. Plan battery range for the distance you actually intend to ride, especially if you will return the same way.

Where does the Macomb Orchard Trail start?

The trailhead is at 24 Mile Road and Dequindre in Shelby Township. The trail runs northeast to the City of Richmond. A connecting trail near the park office at the south end of Stony Creek Metropark also joins it.

Is the Stony Creek loop good for a short ride?

Yes, the paved Hike-Bike Trail circles Stony Creek Lake and is about six miles, while the Metroparks lists 6.1 miles in one place and 6.2 in another, and the trailhead is at 4300 Main Park Road in Shelby Township.

Can I use a throttle eBike on the Orchard Trail?

Class 2 eBikes, which can propel without pedaling, are allowed by the Macomb Orchard Trail Commission. Class 3 is prohibited for general use. The bike must be labeled with its class and stay at or under 10 mph.

Who manages the Clinton River Park Trail?

The managing agency is not published. The trail runs 10.2 miles between River Bends Park in Shelby Township and Edison Street in Sterling Heights. Check posted signs at River Bends Park for the manager and any eBike notices.

What is the Freedom Trail?

It is another name for the Metro Parkway Trail. It runs 10.7 miles from Metro Beach Metropark in Harrison Township to Metropolitan Parkway and Schoenherr Road in Sterling Heights. It connects to the Clinton River Spillway Bike Path near Interstate 94.

Does the Spillway Bike Path have a published length?

No. Its length and surface are not published. The spillway begins near Shadyside Park in Mount Clemens and runs toward Lake St. Clair. The Clinton River Spillway Authority manages it, with county Public Works administration.

Are eBikes allowed on the Stony Creek mountain bike trails?

No eBike rule is published for them. State law bars eBikes on designated nonmotorized natural-surface trails unless the manager allows it. Ask at the park office or look for posted signs before you ride.

All eBike shops in Macomb County

Need a bike, a repair or a rental before you ride? Browse all Macomb County eBike shops and pick the city closest to your route.