Things To Do on an eBike in Clark County, OH
Four paved trails meet in Springfield. The Little Miami Scenic Trail heads south toward Xenia, the Simon Kenton Trail runs north toward Urbana, the Buck Creek Trail follows the creek east to Buck Creek State Park, and the Prairie Grass Trail crosses the county near South Charleston.
The National Trail Parks and Recreation District (NTPRD) maintains nearly 20 miles of these trails as part of the Miami Valley network, and the Miami Valley Trails policy welcomes Class 1 and Class 2 eBikes on its trails.
Where to ride in Clark County
NTPRD says it maintains nearly 20 miles of the more than 350-mile Miami Valley trail network and offers free printed maps of the Great Springfield Trailways at its administration building. All four rides below have Clark County sections managed or listed by NTPRD.
Named eBike routes and access checks
1. Little Miami Scenic Trail, Springfield south to Greene County
NTPRD says Clark County's portion begins at Jefferson Street in Springfield and runs south to Greene County, with mile markers every half mile between Springfield and Xenia. The paved trail follows the old Little Miami Railway, and it is designated part of the Buckeye Trail and the North Country National Scenic Trail. NTPRD lists the trail at 117 S Fountain Ave.
eBike access: Miami Valley Trails welcomes Class 1 and Class 2 eBikes on its trails and does not permit Class 3.
2. Simon Kenton Trail, Springfield north toward Urbana
NTPRD describes 18 miles of paved trail from downtown Springfield to Urbana, meeting the Buck Creek Trail behind Carleton Davidson Stadium and crossing an abandoned rail bridge. Parking and restrooms are at the Clark County Heritage Center. Miami Valley Trails notes Cedar Bog Nature Preserve just past the Champaign County line, and says the surface turns to crushed limestone north of Urbana for the last 16 miles to Bellefontaine.
eBike access: The trail is listed by Miami Valley Trails, so its Class 1 and Class 2 policy applies, and Class 3 is not permitted.
3. Buck Creek Trail, Plum Street to Buck Creek State Park
NTPRD calls the Buck Creek Trail nine paved, ADA-accessible miles from Plum Street to Buck Creek State Park, passing Veterans Park and Old Reid Park. Parking and restrooms are at Old Reid Park off Pumphouse and Croft roads, the Buck Creek State Park lot on Croft Road and the state park beach lots.
Closure check: The Miami Valley Trails Buck Creek page carries a notice that the Pumphouse Road Bridge is closed. Check NTPRD park and trail alerts before you plan a through ride.
eBike access: Miami Valley Trails welcomes Class 1 and Class 2. Inside Buck Creek State Park, the Ohio state parks rule allows Class 1 and Class 2 on paved and shared-use paths unless posted otherwise.
4. Prairie Grass Trail, South Charleston Station
NTPRD says the Prairie Grass Trail is a 29-mile Xenia-to-London section of the Ohio to Erie Trail, and that its Clark County section is 8.7 miles. The South Charleston Station trailhead, at 147 Mound Street, has free parking, water and indoor restrooms.
Ohio eBike laws and route permission
Ohio Revised Code 4511.522 allows Class 1 and Class 2 eBikes on bike paths and shared-use paths unless the local authority or state agency in control prohibits them by resolution, ordinance or rule. A Class 3 eBike may use such a path only if it is within or next to a highway or the controlling authority allows it. No person under 16 may operate a Class 3, and every Class 3 needs a speedometer.
No class of eBike may use a path intended mainly for mountain biking, hiking or horses, or a natural-surface trail kept nonmotorized, unless the controlling authority allows it. ORC 4511.01 excludes electric bicycles from the definition of a motor vehicle. In Ohio state parks, the state parks rule allows Class 1 and Class 2 on paved and shared-use paths unless restrictions are posted, and allows only Class 1 on natural-surface trails designated as mountain bike trails.
Half-day and full-day eBike plans
Half day: Park at Old Reid Park and ride the Buck Creek Trail to Buck Creek State Park and back, after checking the Pumphouse Road Bridge notice.
Full day: Start at the Clark County Heritage Center and ride the paved Simon Kenton Trail 18 miles to Urbana and back, about 36 miles. Or ride the Little Miami south from Jefferson Street using the half-mile markers to time your turnaround.
What not to ride in Clark County
A Class 3 eBike on the Miami Valley Trails. The regional policy does not permit Class 3, even though Ohio law treats it as street legal.
A natural-surface or mountain bike trail without permission. Ohio law keeps eBikes off them unless the manager allows it, and in state parks only Class 1 may use designated mountain bike trails.
A through ride on Buck Creek while the bridge notice is posted. Plan an out-and-back instead.
When to ride Clark County
NTPRD runs a 24-hour weather information line at (937) 324-7645. Call it, and check NTPRD park and trail alerts, before a long ride.
eBike shops and repair
The cards below are Cyclotherapy on W High Street and Bicycle Stop on W 1st Street, both bicycle shops in Springfield, plus Mike's Bikes on Troy Road, which is listed as a motorcycle repair shop. Call ahead about eBike service.
Frequently asked questions
Are eBikes allowed on Clark County bike trails?
The Miami Valley Trails policy welcomes Class 1 and Class 2 eBikes on its trails, which include the Little Miami Scenic, Simon Kenton and Buck Creek trails. Class 3 is not permitted.
How long is the Buck Creek Trail?
NTPRD describes nine paved miles from Plum Street in Springfield to Buck Creek State Park.
How long is the Simon Kenton Trail in Clark County?
NTPRD describes 18 paved miles from downtown Springfield to Urbana. The trail continues north to Bellefontaine on crushed limestone.
Where does the Little Miami Scenic Trail start in Clark County?
At Jefferson Street in Springfield, running south to Greene County, per NTPRD.
Where can I park for the Prairie Grass Trail?
South Charleston Station at 147 Mound Street has free parking, water and indoor restrooms.
Can I ride a Class 3 eBike on a bike path in Ohio?
Only if the path is within or next to a highway or the controlling authority allows it, and the Miami Valley Trails do not allow Class 3.
Where can I get an eBike serviced in Clark County?
The cards on this page list Cyclotherapy and Bicycle Stop in Springfield. Call ahead about eBike work.
All eBike shops in Clark County
See the Clark County eBike shops page for the full directory, and our Ohio eBike laws guide for state rules.