Things To Do on an eBike in St. Louis City County, MO
St. Louis City's eBike rides are Great Rivers Greenway trails: the flat, paved Riverfront Trail along the Mississippi, the River des Peres Greenway in the south city, and short paved links on the St. Vincent and Brickline greenways. Great Rivers Greenway allows motorized bikes on its paved trails, and Missouri law lets eBikes use multi-use paths where bicycles go.
Forest Park is the big exception. Its paths, trails and sidewalks are closed to eBikes. Part of the Riverfront Trail is also closed for creek repairs until early 2027.
Where to ride in St. Louis City
Great Rivers Greenway says no motorized vehicles are allowed on its paved greenway trails except motorized wheelchairs, bikes and scooters. It also says each greenway is managed with a city or parks partner that sets the rules, parking and hours, so read the trailhead signs. In general, its paved trails open no earlier than 30 minutes before sunrise and close no later than 30 minutes after sunset.
Named eBike routes and access checks
1. Riverfront Trail, Mississippi Greenway
Great Rivers Greenway lists 16.19 miles of flat, paved trail, counting the Old Chain of Rocks and McKinley bridges, from the Chouteau riverfront past the Arch grounds and along both sides of the flood wall to Chain of Rocks Park. Shade is limited. Some sections are a levee road, so expect authorized vehicles from adjacent businesses. Highlights include the Mary Meachum Freedom Crossing, Missouri's first nationally designated Underground Railroad site, and the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge.
Closure: Great Rivers Greenway says the trail is fully closed, with no accessible detour, between Humboldt Avenue and Chain of Rocks Drive for Maline Creek repairs, with reopening estimated for early January 2027. The Old Chain of Rocks Bridge is open from the Missouri side only. Chain of Rocks Park and the bridge are open 7 a.m. to 30 minutes after sunset.
2. River des Peres Greenway, Francis R. Slay Park to Lemay Park
The River des Peres Greenway is 9.90 miles of mostly flat, sunny paved trail from Francis R. Slay Park to Carondelet and Lemay parks, and a bridge just east of Highway 55 links it to the Gravois Greenway (Grant's Trail). The section between Lansdowne and Gravois avenues was rebuilt in 2013, and Great Rivers Greenway says it gets less traffic than Grant's Trail. The City of St. Louis manages the section from Lemay Park to Slay Park.
3. St. Vincent Greenway, Forest Park to Skinker
The St. Vincent Greenway starts at Lindell by the Missouri History Museum and runs north beside DeBaliviere Avenue through Ruth Porter Mall Park, then on a wide sidewalk along Etzel Avenue to North Skinker Boulevard at Trojan Park. The whole greenway is a 2.49-mile mostly flat paved trail that continues to the Wellston MetroLink station. The City of St. Louis manages the section from Forest Park to Skinker.
4. Brickline Greenway, Market Street and Cortex
The Market Street segment is a 1-mile paved trail between 20th Street and Compton Avenue, from Energizer Park downtown to Harris-Stowe State University, past Damon Davis' Pillars of the Valley installation honoring Mill Creek Valley. It is close to the Union Station MetroLink station. A separate 0.27-mile segment runs between Sarah and Boyle beside the MetroLink line, with a direct link to the Cortex MetroLink stop.
Missouri eBike laws and route permission
RSMo 307.194 gives eBike riders the rights and duties of bicycle operators and exempts eBikes from motor-vehicle registration, title and driver's license rules. eBikes may ride bicycle or multi-use paths where bicycles are permitted. After notice and a public hearing, a local authority can ban Class 1 or Class 2 eBikes from a path for safety reasons, and it can ban Class 3 eBikes from a path without that process.
No one under 16 may operate a Class 3 eBike, and every Class 3 eBike must have a speedometer. The motor must cut out when you stop pedaling or apply the brakes. Natural-surface nonmotorized trails are outside these rules, and their managers may regulate eBikes.
Half-day and full-day eBike plans
Half day: Ride the River des Peres Greenway from Francis R. Slay Park toward Carondelet Park, with a stop at the Carondelet Park lakes, and back.
Full day: Ride the Riverfront Trail north from the Arch grounds as far as the closure at Humboldt Avenue, then ride the Brickline Greenway on Market Street from 20th Street to Harris-Stowe and back. Once the Maline Creek section reopens, the full ride to the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge becomes possible again.
What not to ride in St. Louis City
Forest Park paths, trails and sidewalks. Forest Park Forever says motorcycles, electric scooters and eBikes are not permitted there. On the 6-mile Dual Path, only wheelchairs, park vehicles and security vehicles may use motors, and bikes must keep to 15 mph or less.
The Riverfront Trail between Humboldt Avenue and Chain of Rocks Drive. It is closed with no detour.
A Class 3 eBike, if you are under 16. Missouri law bars it.
When to ride St. Louis City
The Riverfront Trail has little shade and the River des Peres Greenway is mostly sunny, so ride early on summer days within the greenway hours. Spring and fall are the best seasons for the long riverfront ride. Check Great Rivers Greenway's closure notices before you go.
eBike shops and repair
The cards below are bicycle shops in the city: Hobo Hub Works on Lemp Avenue, Candy Shop Custum Bikes on N Pointe Boulevard and A&M Cyclery on Arsenal Street. Call to ask about eBike service before you go.
Frequently asked questions
Are eBikes allowed on Great Rivers Greenway trails?
Great Rivers Greenway says no motorized vehicles are allowed on its paved trails except motorized wheelchairs, bikes and scooters. Partners set the rules for each greenway, so read the trailhead signs.
Can I ride an eBike in Forest Park?
Not on its paths, trails or sidewalks. Forest Park Forever says eBikes are not permitted there.
Is the Riverfront Trail open?
Mostly. It is fully closed between Humboldt Avenue and Chain of Rocks Drive for Maline Creek repairs, with reopening estimated for early January 2027.
How long is the River des Peres Greenway?
Great Rivers Greenway lists 9.90 miles of paved trail from Francis R. Slay Park to Carondelet and Lemay parks.
Can a city ban eBikes from a path in Missouri?
Yes. After notice and a public hearing, a local authority can ban Class 1 or Class 2 eBikes from a path for safety reasons, and it can ban Class 3 without one.
How old do you have to be to ride a Class 3 eBike in Missouri?
At least 16. Younger riders may ride as passengers on a Class 3 eBike built for passengers.
What hours are the greenways open?
Great Rivers Greenway says its paved trails generally open no earlier than 30 minutes before sunrise and close no later than 30 minutes after sunset. Check the trailhead signs.
All eBike shops in St. Louis City
See the St. Louis City County eBike shops page for the full directory, and our Missouri eBike laws guide for state rules.