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Things To Do on an eBike in Ontario County, NY

Ontario County's clearest eBike ride is the Auburn Rail Trail in Victor, where the town allows Class 1 eBikes. The county also has the short Manchester Gateway Trail and the long Ontario Pathways rail trail, which calls itself non-motorized, so check before you ride those with a motor.

This guide covers only routes inside Ontario County. The Brighton-Pittsford part of the Auburn Trail and other Monroe County trails are not listed here.

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

Where to ride in Ontario County

The Town of Victor has over 70 miles of trails, including the hardened-surface Auburn and Lehigh Valley trails. It bans eBikes above Class 1 on town trails, sets a 15 mph limit for trail users, and opens trails from dawn to dusk.

Named eBike routes and access checks

1. Auburn Rail Trail, Victor

Route: Victor Hiking Trails lists a 9-mile rail trail from the Farmington town line to the Pittsford town line. Except for two short sections, it is 8 feet wide, flat, ADA compliant and surfaced with stone dust.

Parking: East Victor Road, Break of Day Road, Brace Road, State Route 444, Rawson Road, State Route 251, Phillips Road and other lots.

eBike rule: Class 1 eBikes only, at 15 mph or under, from dawn to dusk. Give an audible warning when passing.

2. Manchester Gateway Trail, Manchester and Shortsville

Route: Visit Finger Lakes lists a 1.5-mile trail for pedestrians and bicyclists along the Canandaigua Outlet, used by cross-country skiers and snowshoers in winter.

eBike rule: No published eBike policy. Under VTL 1242, eBikes need a posted designation on public trails, so check the signs.

3. Ontario Pathways, Canandaigua to Stanley and Phelps

Route: Ontario Pathways runs a free 23.3-mile main trail on old rail beds of cinder, stone and grass. It has two legs of about 11.5 miles each, Canandaigua to Stanley and Stanley to Phelps, and is open year-round from dawn to dusk.

eBike rule: The group describes the trail as multi-use and non-motorized and publishes no eBike policy. Ask Ontario Pathways before riding it with a motor.

New York eBike laws

Riders must be at least 16 to operate an eBike.
Class 3 eBikes are legal only in cities of one million or more, so not in Ontario County.
eBikes may not be ridden on sidewalks unless a local law allows it.
Since June 2022, eBikes must carry a manufacturer's label showing Class 1, 2 or 3.

The Town of Victor warns that e-motos such as SurRon and Talaria are not street legal and asks people to call 911 if they see one on a trail.

Half-day and full-day eBike plans

Half day: Park at the Route 251 or Rawson Road lot and ride part of the Auburn Trail on a Class 1 eBike.

Full day: Ride the full 9 miles of the Auburn Trail from the Farmington line to the Pittsford line and back, then visit a Geneva or Canandaigua shop for service.

What not to ride

A Class 2 or Class 3 eBike on Victor town trails. Victor bans eBikes above Class 1.

Ontario Pathways under power without asking. It is described as non-motorized.

An e-moto anywhere. They are not eBikes and are not street legal.

When to ride Ontario County

Victor trails and Ontario Pathways are open from dawn to dusk. The Manchester Gateway Trail is used for skiing and snowshoeing in winter.

eBike shops and service

Trek Bicycle Geneva offers bike and eBike sales and service. Finger Lakes Electric Bikes in Geneva is listed as a bicycle shop, but its website could not be checked. Mendon Cyclesmith in Ionia is a full-service bike shop offering repairs, tune-ups, overhauls and wheel building, with no appointment needed.