Things To Do on an eBike in Lehigh County, PA
Lehigh County riders have a short list of confirmed routes. The Ironton Rail Trail is 9.2 miles of asphalt, the Saucon Rail Trail is 6.92 miles, and the Jordan Creek Greenway is listed at 3.59 miles by DCNR. The Lehigh Gorge Trail adds 26 miles of the 165-mile D&L Trail inside Lehigh Gorge State Park. Pick by rule and surface first, then by distance.
Pennsylvania does not sort eBikes into Class 1, 2 and 3. The state limit is 100 pounds, 750 watts and 20 mph on motor power alone, with operable pedals. Riders must be 16 or older under 75 Pa.C.S. 3514. Each route below adds its own wording, and the Ironton Rail Trail sets a 12 mph bike limit that sits below the state motor figure.
Where to ride in Lehigh County
Start in Whitehall for the Ironton Rail Trail, at 3853 Chestnut St., or in Coplay at 3256 Levans Road. Saucon Rail Trail riders can begin at Water Street Park, Grist Mill Park or the Reading Drive trailhead. Lehigh Gorge Trail riders enter through Lehigh Gorge State Park. Jordan Creek Greenway trailheads are not published, so use the manager map before you go.
The Ironton Rail Trail is the longest confirmed paved option at 9.2 miles of asphalt, and it has the clearest posted pace with a 12 mph bike limit. The Saucon Rail Trail runs 6.92 miles, surface not published, and ties eBike use to 100 pounds, 750 watts and 20 mph. The Jordan Creek Greenway is 3.59 miles per DCNR, though the planned trail is 14 miles. The Lehigh Gorge Trail is 26 miles and follows DCNR park rules.
eBike shop hubs
Browse shops by city, starting with Allentown and Emmaus at three listings each, then Bethlehem, Macungie, Catasauqua and Schnecksville with one each.
- eBike shops in Allentown
- eBike shops in Emmaus
- eBike shops in Bethlehem
- eBike shops in Macungie
- eBike shops in Catasauqua
- eBike shops in Schnecksville
Rental and tour contacts
Crown Bicycles is the rental listing in Lehigh County. Hours, rates and eBike availability are not published here, so contact the shop before you plan a ride.
Crown Bicycles🚲 Rentals
Named eBike routes and access checks
1. Ironton Rail Trail: 9.2 paved miles
The Ironton Rail Trail is a 9.2-mile asphalt path with trailheads in Whitehall and Coplay. Coplay Borough, Lehigh County, North Whitehall Township and Whitehall Township manage it, and THE LINK Trail Network publishes the rules. The main trailhead is at 3853 Chestnut St. in Whitehall, with other access at Portland and Quarry Streets and at 3256 Levans Road in Coplay. Permitted uses include walking, jogging, bicycling, cross-country skiing, skating, nature study and wheelchairs. That mix means you share the surface with walkers and joggers, so the 12 mph bike limit matters on busy days. The trail is open dawn to dusk daily. Pennsylvania law and the trail's own rule both apply, and the lower limit controls your speed.
Distance: 9.2 miles, per THE LINK Trail Network; start: Main trailhead at 3853 Chestnut St., Whitehall, with other access at Portland and Quarry Streets and 3256 Levans Road, Coplay; surface: Asphalt, per THE LINK Trail Network.
eBike access: eBikes are allowed as an exception to the ban on motorized vehicles. Bikes have a 12 mph speed limit. The trail is open dawn to dusk daily. Etiquette and planning: Slow down near walkers, joggers and wheelchair users, and plan to finish before dusk. Call out before you pass and leave room. Managing source: THE LINK Trail Network, Ironton Rail-Trail.
2. Saucon Rail Trail: Hellertown to Coopersburg
The Saucon Rail Trail connects Hellertown, Lower Saucon Township, Upper Saucon Township and Coopersburg. DCNR lists it at 6.92 miles. Five trailheads are named, including Water Street Park, Grist Mill Park, Upper Saucon Township Community Park, Southern Lehigh Living Memorial Community Park and the Reading Drive trailhead. Several of those sit in community parks, so you can split the ride into shorter out-and-backs. The trail's own rules follow DCNR policy and allow eBikes on trails already open to traditional bicycles, as long as riders follow guidelines consistent with the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code. The surface is not published, so look at the trail map and posted signs before you pick tires or plan a long day.
Distance: 6.92 miles, per the DCNR trails listing; start: Trailheads include Water Street Park, Grist Mill Park, Upper Saucon Township Community Park, Southern Lehigh Living Memorial Community Park and the Reading Drive trailhead; surface: Saucon Rail Trail: check the manager page for current surface.
eBike access: eBikes are allowed if they weigh 100 pounds or less, have a motor of 750 watts or less and 20 mph or less, and have operable pedals. Follow guidelines consistent with the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code. Etiquette and planning: Keep the motor at or below 20 mph and pedal. Yield to pedestrians and give an audible signal when passing, as Pennsylvania law requires on pedalcycle paths. Managing source: Saucon Rail Trail, Trail Rules.
3. Lehigh Gorge Trail: 26 miles in the state park
The Lehigh Gorge Trail follows 26 miles of the D&L Trail within Lehigh Gorge State Park. It is the longest confirmed ride in this guide. DCNR's biking page for the park says traditional bicycles and eBikes are permitted on state park roads and on trails designated for biking or mountain biking. Biking is prohibited on hiking-only trails and on roads or trails marked prohibited. Riders must maintain safe speeds and comply with posted speed limits, and eBikes must follow all DCNR eBike guidelines. Surface and trailheads are not published on the park page, so check the park map for access points and for any segment marked closed to bikes before you commit to a long out-and-back.
Distance: 26 miles within Lehigh Gorge State Park, per DCNR; start: Lehigh Gorge Trail: several access points; check the manager map; surface: Lehigh Gorge Trail: check the manager page for current surface.
eBike access: eBikes are permitted on state park roads and on trails designated for biking. They are banned on hiking-only trails and on roads or trails marked prohibited. Etiquette and planning: Keep safe speeds, obey posted limits and never exceed 20 mph on motor power. Read trail signs before turning onto any side path. Managing source: Pennsylvania DCNR, Lehigh Gorge State Park biking.
4. D&L Trail, the 165-mile corridor
The D&L Trail is the 165-mile Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, and the Lehigh Gorge Trail is its 26-mile piece inside Lehigh Gorge State Park. The Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor is the managing agency. Surface and trailheads are not published for the corridor as a whole, so ride details depend on which segment you choose. A separate eBike rule is not published for the D&L Trail, which leaves the Pennsylvania definition as the default. That means 100 pounds or less, 750 watts or less and 20 mph or less on motor power, with operable pedals. Check posted signs at each access point for rules that apply to that segment.
Distance: 165 miles for the full corridor, per DCNR's Lehigh Gorge State Park page; start: D&L Trail: several access points; check the manager map; surface: D&L Trail: check the manager page for current surface.
eBike access: No separate eBike rule is published, so the Pennsylvania definition applies: 100 pounds or less, 750 watts or less, 20 mph or less on motor power, and operable pedals. Etiquette and planning: Treat each segment as its own trail. Read the signs at the access point, keep to safe speeds and pedal rather than relying on the motor alone. Managing source: Pennsylvania DCNR, Lehigh Gorge State Park biking.
5. Jordan Creek Greenway: Allentown's trail link
The Jordan Creek Greenway is a Lehigh County trail tied to the City of Allentown. DCNR lists the existing trail at 3.59 miles. The same listing describes a planned 14-mile multi-use trail that would connect the City of Allentown with Trexler Nature Preserve. Those two numbers describe different stages, so do not plan a 14-mile ride until you confirm which segments are open. Surface and trailhead are not published, and no eBike rule is posted. With nothing more specific, the Pennsylvania definition applies. Use the manager map and posted signs for current access, and treat this as a short ride for now.
Distance: 3.59 miles listed by DCNR, with a planned 14-mile trail; start: Trailhead is not published; check the manager map; surface: Jordan Creek Greenway: check the manager page for current surface.
eBike access: No eBike rule is published for this trail, so the Pennsylvania definition applies. That means 100 pounds or less, 750 watts or less, 20 mph or less on motor power, and operable pedals. Etiquette and planning: Confirm which segments are open before you go and follow posted signs. Yield to pedestrians and give an audible signal when passing. Managing source: Pennsylvania DCNR, Jordan Creek Greenway trail page.
Planning a Lehigh County ride
Charging locations are not published for these routes, so charge at home before you leave. The Ironton Rail Trail is 9.2 miles, which makes an out-and-back of about 18 miles, and the Saucon Rail Trail is 6.92 miles, or about 14 miles out and back. Compare those figures with your battery range and carry a margin for headwinds and hills.
Crowd and closure notices are not published for these routes. The Ironton Rail Trail closes at dusk, and it shares its asphalt with walkers, joggers and wheelchair users. Lehigh Gorge State Park closes hiking-only trails to bikes. Transit options are not published, so plan to arrive by car or bike, and check the manager page the day before you ride.
Half-day and full-day eBike plans
Half day: Ride the Ironton Rail Trail from the main trailhead at 3853 Chestnut St. in Whitehall. The path is 9.2 miles of asphalt, so an out-and-back fits a morning. Hold to the 12 mph bike limit, finish before dusk, and stop in Coplay at Levans Road if you want a shorter turnaround.
Full day: Spend the day on the Lehigh Gorge Trail, which covers 26 miles of the D&L Trail inside Lehigh Gorge State Park. Check the park map for access points first. If you prefer shorter legs, ride the Saucon Rail Trail's 6.92 miles from Water Street Park, then add a second section from another trailhead.
With kids: Riders under 16 cannot operate a pedalcycle with electric assist under 75 Pa.C.S. 3514, so younger riders need regular bikes. The Ironton Rail Trail is paved and 9.2 miles long, which suits mixed groups. Anyone under 12 must wear a helmet, as driver or passenger, under 75 Pa.C.S. 3510.
What not to ride in Lehigh County
Hiking-only trails: Do not take an eBike onto hiking-only trails in Lehigh Gorge State Park. DCNR prohibits biking on hiking-only trails and on roads or trails marked prohibited. Under DCNR's eBike policy, eBikes are prohibited wherever bikes are prohibited, and the park's posted signs control.
Motor-only riding on non-motorized trails: On non-motorized DCNR trails, only human power or pedal assist is allowed. Using the motor exclusively without pedaling is prohibited under DCNR policy. A bike that cannot be pedaled, or an eBike over 100 pounds, 750 watts or 20 mph, is also not allowed on DCNR trails.
Business-district sidewalks: Pennsylvania's 75 Pa.C.S. 3508 bars sidewalk riding in a business district unless traffic-control devices permit it or a usable pedalcycle-only lane is adjacent. No county or city sidewalk rule is published for Lehigh County, so stay on the street in town centers.
Ironton Rail Trail after dark: The Ironton Rail Trail is open dawn to dusk daily. Riding after dusk breaks the posted hours, even if your eBike has lights. In October, daylight shrinks, so start early and plan to be off the asphalt before sunset.
When to ride Lehigh County
Spring through fall is the practical riding window in the Lehigh Valley, and weekends are likely to bring more walkers to shared paths like the Ironton Rail Trail. Summer afternoons can be hot, so early rides are more comfortable. The Ironton Rail Trail closes at dusk, and daylight shortens quickly in October. Winter brings snow and ice, and Ironton lists cross-country skiing among its permitted uses, so expect shared conditions on cold days.
Pennsylvania eBike laws and route permission
Pennsylvania does not use the Class 1, 2 and 3 system in its statute. Instead, 75 Pa.C.S. 102, as amended by Act 154 of 2014, defines a "pedalcycle with electric assist." It is a vehicle weighing not more than 100 pounds with two or three wheels more than 11 inches in diameter. It has operable pedals and an electric motor system rated at not more than 750 watts. On a level surface, powered by the motor only, it must not go faster than 20 mph. The law treats a pedalcycle with electric assist as a pedalcycle.
Because an eBike that fits the definition counts as a pedalcycle, it follows the rules for pedalcycles. Under Chapter 35 of Title 75, section 3508 says riders on sidewalks or pedalcycle paths must yield to pedestrians and give an audible signal. Riding on a sidewalk in a business district is barred unless traffic-control devices permit it or a usable pedalcycle-only lane is adjacent. Section 3514 bars anyone under 16 from operating one. A bill, HB 2703, was introduced July 14, 2026, and referred to House Transportation on July 15. It would adopt three classes and let municipalities regulate eBikes. It is not enacted as of October 8, 2026.
Under section 3510, riders under 12 must wear a pedalcycle helmet, whether they operate the bike or ride as a passenger. The statute has no helmet rule for adults, though wearing one is still smart. An eBike that meets the definition needs no license or registration, because it is a pedalcycle. HB 2703 would also raise fines and bar license, registration and insurance requirements, according to WITF's report on HB 2703 and SR 322. Check the current text before you ride. For more detail, read our guide to Pennsylvania eBike laws.
Trail access is decided by whoever manages the land, not by the pedalcycle definition alone. According to the DCNR e-bike policy, as summarized in search results, state parks and forests allow eBikes that meet the Pennsylvania definition on trails already open to bikes. That means no more than 100 pounds, 750 watts, operable pedals and a 20 mph motor limit. Read the policy itself before you go, since this summary may be incomplete.
The same DCNR policy, per that summary, allows only pedal-assist on non-motorized trails, so throttle-only propulsion is not permitted there. eBikes are also kept off natural areas, yellow or orange blazed hiking trails and any trail marked "No Biking." If a trail is closed to regular bikes, assume it is closed to your eBike too. Local parks and municipal paths may set their own rules, so check posted signs and ask the manager.
No Lehigh County or City of Allentown eBike ordinance is listed for the routes in this guide. The rules that apply come from the trail managers. Coplay Borough, Lehigh County, North Whitehall Township and Whitehall Township manage the Ironton Rail Trail. DCNR sets policy for state parks and trails, and the Saucon Rail Trail follows that policy. When a rule is not published, check the manager map or posted signs.
One conflict sits in the Jordan Creek Greenway listing. DCNR gives the trail a length of 3.59 miles, while the same listing describes a planned 14-mile trail connecting the City of Allentown with Trexler Nature Preserve. Treat 3.59 miles as the listed length and 14 miles as the plan. The Ironton Rail Trail's 12 mph bike limit also sits below the state motor limit of 20 mph, so follow the lower figure.
Pending state changes are not law yet. HB 2703, introduced by Rep. Jill Cooper on July 14, 2026 and referred to House Transportation on July 15, 2026, would adopt three eBike classes, let municipalities regulate eBikes and raise fines. SR 322 would direct a Joint State Government Commission study, according to WITF. Read the HB 2703 bill text. Neither measure was enacted as of October 8, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Can I ride an eBike on the Lehigh Gorge Trail?
Yes, on trails designated for biking. DCNR's Lehigh Gorge State Park biking page permits traditional bicycles and eBikes on park roads and on trails designated for biking or mountain biking. The Lehigh Gorge Trail follows 26 miles of the D&L Trail inside the park. Biking is prohibited on hiking-only trails and on any road or trail marked prohibited.
How long is the Ironton Rail Trail and where do I start?
The Ironton Rail Trail is 9.2 miles long, according to THE LINK Trail Network. The main trailhead is 3853 Chestnut St. in Whitehall. Other access points are at Portland and Quarry Streets and at 3256 Levans Road in Coplay. The surface is asphalt, and the trail is open dawn to dusk daily.
What is the speed limit on the Ironton Rail Trail?
The limit for bikes is 12 mph. THE LINK Trail Network posts that figure for the Ironton Rail Trail, and it applies to eBikes, which are allowed as an exception to the motorized vehicle ban. The state's 20 mph motor limit is higher, so the trail's lower number is the one to follow.
Where do I start the Saucon Rail Trail?
Start at any of five named trailheads. They are Water Street Park, Grist Mill Park, Upper Saucon Township Community Park, Southern Lehigh Living Memorial Community Park and the Reading Drive trailhead. The trail runs 6.92 miles per DCNR and connects Hellertown, Lower Saucon Township, Upper Saucon Township and Coopersburg.
Are there eBike rules for the Jordan Creek Greenway?
No specific rule is published, so the Pennsylvania definition applies. Your eBike must weigh 100 pounds or less, have a motor of 750 watts or less, reach no more than 20 mph on motor power alone, and have operable pedals. DCNR lists the trail at 3.59 miles. Check posted signs for local rules.
Can I ride a Class 3 eBike on the Saucon Rail Trail?
Probably not, because Pennsylvania does not use the Class 1, 2 and 3 system. The Saucon Rail Trail allows eBikes with motors of 750 watts or less and 20 mph or less. Class 3 bikes are commonly built to assist up to 28 mph, which would exceed that limit. Check your bike's specifications against the trail rules.
Does Lehigh County or Allentown have its own eBike ordinance?
No county or Allentown eBike ordinance is listed for the routes in this guide. Trail managers set the rules that apply on each path, including Coplay Borough, Lehigh County, North Whitehall Township and Whitehall Township on the Ironton Rail Trail. Check the manager map or posted signs for anything newer.
Can I ride my eBike on the sidewalk in Lehigh County?
Sometimes, under 75 Pa.C.S. 3508, riders on sidewalks must yield to pedestrians and give an audible signal. Sidewalk riding is barred in a business district unless traffic-control devices permit it or a usable pedalcycle-only lane is adjacent. No Lehigh County or Allentown sidewalk rule is published, so follow posted signs.
All eBike shops in Lehigh County
Find a shop near your route in the full list of Lehigh County eBike shops, which covers 10 listings across six cities.