Things To Do on an eBike in City of Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia Beach rides split into two kinds. Some are paved shared-use paths built for steady travel, like the Virginia Beach Trail. Others cross soft ground in First Landing State Park. Then there is the Oceanfront, where the city restricts eBikes more than anywhere else in the county.
Six named routes are covered, with the length, surface and eBike rule for each. Where a detail is not published, it is marked not published. Riders should check the manager's map or posted signs. Where two numbers disagree, both are shown. Virginia rules apply everywhere, and the city adds its own limits on top of them.
Where to ride in Virginia Beach City County
Virginia Beach City County is a coastal city of beach, bays and forest. Rides here run from the Norfolk border through Town Center to the Oceanfront, and north to Cape Henry and First Landing State Park. The City of Virginia Beach manages the Virginia Beach Trail and Oceanfront rules. Other trails list no managing agency, so check posted signs and the manager map.
The Virginia Beach Trail is 12 miles and fully paved at 14 feet wide. The Cape Henry Trail is 7.5 miles with mixed surfaces, including sand and dirt. The Great Neck Road/London Bridge Road Trail is listed at 11.5 miles, though a note says 22. The First Landing eastern section is about 6 miles and largely unpaved. The Boardwalk Bike Path is closed to eBikes. Only the Oceanfront has a clear published eBike ban.
eBike shop hubs
Ready to rent, buy or get a bike checked before a ride? The shop listings for Virginia Beach are on the page below, grouped by city.
Rental and tour contacts
Rental and tour cards in the directory include Coastal eventure E-bike Rentals and Ocean Rentals Ltd. Confirm eBike availability, hours and rental terms directly with the business before you head out.
Coastal eventure E-bike Rentals🚲 Rentals
Virginia Beach Bike Tours🎯 Tours
Cheries Bicycle and Beach Rentals🚲 Rentals
Ocean Rentals Ltd.🚲 Rentals
Named eBike routes and access checks
1. Virginia Beach Trail, paved path from the Norfolk border to the Oceanfront
The Virginia Beach Trail, also called #VBTrail, is the city's long shared-use corridor. It runs from the Norfolk border at the Newtown Road HRT hub, through Town Center, to the Oceanfront. The path is 14 feet wide and paved, which gives room for walkers and riders to share. The City of Virginia Beach manages it. Phase 4 funding covers a 2.8-mile section from S. Birdneck Road to London Bridge Road along the former Norfolk Southern railroad alignment. That means the corridor is still growing, so some segments may differ from older maps. Expect Town Center to be the tricky spot, since eBikes are not allowed on its sidewalks or plazas.
Distance: 12 miles long, per the City of Virginia Beach Parks; start: Newtown Road HRT hub at the Norfolk border; surface: Paved shared-use path, 14 feet wide.
eBike access: No trail-specific eBike rule was found. The state default and city-wide eBike rules apply, and Town Center sidewalks and plazas are closed to eBikes. Etiquette and planning: Yield to pedestrians, give an audible signal before passing, and keep a reasonable speed. Check the city page for the newest segments before you plan a one-way trip. Managing source: City of Virginia Beach Parks, Virginia Beach Trail.
2. Cape Henry Trail, through First Landing State Park
The Cape Henry Trail runs through First Landing State Park. TrailLink lists it from Jade St, south of Shore Dr/US 60, to 64th St inside the park. Its surface changes a lot. The listing names asphalt, boardwalk, crushed stone, dirt, gravel and sand. That mix makes it a slower ride than the Virginia Beach Trail, and wider tires help on the looser sections. The source does not name a managing agency, so treat park signs as the final word. No eBike rule was found for this trail, which means the state default applies unless a sign says otherwise.
Distance: 7.5 miles, per TrailLink; start: Jade St, south of Shore Dr/US 60, or 64th St in First Landing State Park; surface: Asphalt, boardwalk, crushed stone, dirt, gravel and sand, per TrailLink.
eBike access: No eBike rule was found. The state default applies, but the manager may restrict natural-surface sections, so look for posted signs at each entrance. Etiquette and planning: Slow down on sand, dirt and boardwalk planks. Expect walkers in the park, and ask park staff about current conditions if you are unsure. Managing source: City of Virginia Beach e-bikes.
3. Great Neck Road/London Bridge Road Trail, long link between trails
This trail connects the Cape Henry Trail, south of Shore Dr/US 60, with the General Booth Boulevard Trail at General Booth Blvd/SR 615. TrailLink lists asphalt and concrete surfaces. The length is in conflict. TrailLink's main listing says 11.5 miles, but a TrailLink note says the depicted mileage from Shore Drive to General Booth Blvd is actually 22 miles. Plan for the longer number if you are doing the whole route, especially on a battery. The managing agency is not stated in the source. No eBike rule was found, so the state default applies.
Distance: 11.5 miles per TrailLink's listing, but a TrailLink note says 22 miles from Shore Drive to General Booth Blvd; start: Cape Henry Trail south of Shore Dr/US 60, or General Booth Blvd/SR 615; surface: Asphalt and concrete, per TrailLink.
eBike access: No eBike rule was found. The state default applies, so follow Virginia class rules and any signs posted along the route. Etiquette and planning: Carry enough battery for the longer 22 mile figure. Watch road crossings, and use a front white light and rear red reflector after dark. Managing source: City of Virginia Beach e-bikes.
4. General Booth Boulevard Trail, northward toward the waterfront
The General Booth Boulevard Trail appears in TrailLink's description of the Great Neck Road/London Bridge Road Trail. That description says it begins its route northward to the waterfront and the popular Virginia Beach Boardwalk, but little else is published, and no length, surface, trailhead, managing agency or eBike rule is given, which makes it a trail to scout before you rely on it. Remember that the Boardwalk itself is closed to eBikes, so a ride toward the waterfront should end on the street, not on the planks. Use the manager map and posted signs for current details.
Distance: Length not published; TrailLink gives no mileage; start: General Booth Blvd/SR 615, where it meets the Great Neck Road/London Bridge Road Trail; surface: General Booth Boulevard Trail: check the manager page for current surface.
eBike access: No eBike rule was found, so the state default applies. The Boardwalk at the northern end is closed to eBikes at all times. Etiquette and planning: Plan where you will leave the trail before reaching the Oceanfront, and walk your bike if signs show eBikes are not allowed. Managing source: City of Virginia Beach e-bikes.
5. First Landing State Park eastern section, woods and soft ground
The Hampton Roads Planning District Commission describes the eastern section as a curving, largely unpaved trail through the woods of First Landing State Park. It is about 6 miles long. The southernmost portion runs parallel to 64th Street and serves The Narrows picnic area. This is a nature ride, not a commuter path. Expect roots, dirt and variable footing, and a slower pace than on paved city trails. The source does not explicitly name a managing agency, although the trail lies inside the state park. No eBike rule was found, so the state default applies and the park may post limits.
Distance: About 6 miles long, per the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission; start: The southern end runs parallel to 64th Street near The Narrows picnic area; surface: Largely unpaved, per the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission.
eBike access: No eBike rule was found. The state default applies, but a manager may restrict natural-surface trails, so check park signs first. Etiquette and planning: Ride slowly on dirt, give walkers room, and check with the park for closures or wet conditions before heading in. Managing source: Hampton Roads Planning District Commission, Civic Alert.
6. Boardwalk Bike Path, the Oceanfront no ride zone
The Boardwalk Bike Path is on the list because many visitors expect to ride it, but on an eBike, you cannot. The City of Virginia Beach always prohibits eBikes on the Boardwalk, the Boardwalk Bike Path, the grassy area next to the Boardwalk, and Oceanfront parks and plazas, and they are also never permitted on sidewalks in the Resort Area, and no length or surface information is available for the Boardwalk Bike Path. For an Oceanfront trip, use the Atlantic Avenue roadway, which has been open to eBikes all year since the ordinance adopted on Oct. 21, 2025, and before that, eBikes were banned there from May 1 to Sept. 30.
Distance: Length not published by the City of Virginia Beach; start: Several access points; check the manager map; surface: Boardwalk Bike Path: check the manager page for current surface.
eBike access: eBikes are always prohibited on the Boardwalk, the Boardwalk Bike Path, the adjacent grass, Oceanfront parks and plazas, and Resort Area sidewalks. Etiquette and planning: Walk your bike if you must cross the area, or stay on Atlantic Avenue. Obey signs and expect enforcement in busy periods. Managing source: City of Virginia Beach, E-bikes hot topic.
Planning a Virginia Beach City County ride
Charging is not covered in the published route information, so plan your battery. The directory does list one e-bike charging station in Virginia Beach, and it is worth confirming its hours and plug type by phone. For the Great Neck Road/London Bridge Road Trail, plan for the longer 22 mile figure rather than 11.5.
Crowds and closures are not published for these routes, so check posted signs and the manager map on the day. The Oceanfront gets the most restrictions. At night, use a front white light visible at 500 feet and a rear red reflector visible at 600 feet. Keep earphones out of both ears. No ferry or transit information is published for these routes.
Half-day and full-day eBike plans
Half day: Ride the Virginia Beach Trail from Town Center toward the Oceanfront. It is paved and 14 feet wide. Stop before the Boardwalk, since eBikes are prohibited there, and use the Atlantic Avenue roadway if you want to see the oceanfront streets.
Full day: Start on the Cape Henry Trail through First Landing State Park, then connect to the Great Neck Road/London Bridge Road Trail. Plan battery for the longer 22 mile figure, and expect sand and dirt on parts of the Cape Henry Trail.
With kids: Stick to the paved Virginia Beach Trail. Riders 14 or younger must always wear a helmet, and a person under 14 may operate a Class 3 only under the immediate supervision of someone at least 18. Choose Class 1 or 2 for younger riders.
What not to ride in Virginia Beach City County
Boardwalk: eBikes are always prohibited on the Boardwalk. The city treats this as a year round rule, so even quiet mornings are not exceptions. Walk your bike or choose the street.
Boardwalk Bike Path: Despite the name, the Boardwalk Bike Path is closed to eBikes at all times. The city also bans them on the grassy area next to the Boardwalk.
Oceanfront parks and plazas: The City of Virginia Beach says eBikes are never allowed in Oceanfront parks and plazas. They are also barred from sidewalks in the Resort Area.
Town Center sidewalks and plazas: eBikes are prohibited on Town Center sidewalks and plazas. Mopeds and motor driven cycles are strictly prohibited there. Use the roadway or the paved trail outside those areas.
When to ride Virginia Beach City County
Virginia Beach is a coastal city, so summers are hot and humid and the Oceanfront is likely to be busiest then. Spring and fall are often more comfortable for longer rides, though weather varies. Unpaved sections in First Landing State Park may be slower after rain. Hours, closures and crowd levels are not published for these routes, so check posted signs and the manager map before you go.
Virginia eBike laws and route permission
Virginia defines an "electric power-assisted bicycle" in Va. Code 46.2-100. The law sets three classes. Class 1 is pedal assist only, and the motor stops helping at 20 mph. Class 2 has a motor that may move the bike without pedaling, and it also stops helping at 20 mph. Class 3 is pedal assist only and stops helping at 28 mph. The motor must be 750 watts or less, and the bike must have operable pedals. Know your class before you ride, because the rules differ by class.
Under Va. Code 46.2-904.1 and 46.2-908.1, compliant eBikes have the rights and duties of bicycles. They are generally allowed where bicycles are, including roads, shoulders, bike lanes and shared-use paths. A locality or state agency may restrict Class 1 or Class 2 eBikes on a path after notice and hearing. It may prohibit Class 3 eBikes on a particular path. A person under 14 may operate a Class 3 only under the immediate supervision of someone at least 18. Sidewalk riding is set locally, so check city or county rules.
Class 3 operators and passengers must wear a properly fitted and fastened helmet that meets CPSC or ASTM standards. A Class 3 eBike must also have a speedometer. Compliant eBikes need no driver's license, registration, title, insurance or license plate. Each eBike should carry a manufacturer label showing its class. For a plain-language summary, read our guide to Virginia eBike laws.
Trail access depends on who manages the trail. On paved shared-use paths, a locality or state agency can restrict Class 1 or Class 2 eBikes, but only after notice and hearing. The same bodies may prohibit Class 3 eBikes on a particular path. Natural-surface trails can be restricted by the manager. A route that works for one eBike may be closed to another, so confirm with the manager before you go.
Your class decides where you can go, so keep the manufacturer class label legible on the bike. If you ride a Class 3, make sure the speedometer works and that everyone aboard, passengers included, has a helmet. A rider under 14 needs an adult of at least 18 supervising closely on a Class 3. The state sources we use do not list specific speed limits for trails, so follow whatever limits the trail manager sets.
Virginia state law sets the three eBike classes, with assist ending at 20 mph for Class 1 and 2 and 28 mph for Class 3. The city adds its own rules. All riders 14 or younger must always wear a helmet, and Class 3 operators and passengers must wear one at any age. Riders must yield to pedestrians, signal before passing, and not ride more than two abreast.
City sidewalk rules vary by area. Outside the Resort Area, eBikes are allowed on sidewalks and designated paths unless posted otherwise. In the Resort Area and Town Center, sidewalks are closed to eBikes. The Boardwalk, Boardwalk Bike Path, adjacent grass, and Oceanfront parks and plazas are always off limits. Electric mopeds between 750 and 1500 watts need DMV registration, a rider at least 16 and eye protection.
On Oct. 21, 2025, City Council adopted an ordinance amending City Code Sections 7-1, 7-10 and 7-59.1. eBikes that were once banned on Atlantic Avenue from May 1 to Sept. 30 may now use the roadway all year, and no pending eBike changes were found. The city and state have set no eBike speed limit, and some published trail lengths conflict, as with the Great Neck Road/London Bridge Road Trail.
Frequently asked questions
What is the longest paved route listed here?
The Virginia Beach Trail is 12 miles long, 14 feet wide and paved, according to the City of Virginia Beach. The Great Neck Road/London Bridge Road Trail is listed at 11.5 miles by TrailLink, but a note on the same page says 22 miles, so the length is in conflict.
Which route has sand?
TrailLink lists sand among the Cape Henry Trail surfaces, along with asphalt, boardwalk, crushed stone, dirt and gravel. The First Landing State Park eastern section is also largely unpaved. Both are slower rides than the paved city path.
Where does the Cape Henry Trail start and end?
TrailLink lists endpoints at Jade St, south of Shore Dr/US 60, and 64th St in First Landing State Park. The trail is listed at 7.5 miles and runs through the park. The managing agency is not stated.
Can I ride from General Booth Boulevard to the Boardwalk?
The General Booth Boulevard Trail heads north toward the waterfront and Boardwalk, per TrailLink. You can ride toward the area, but eBikes are always prohibited on the Boardwalk itself. Leave the trail before it and stay on permitted streets.
Do I need a speedometer?
State code requires a speedometer on a Class 3 eBike. Class 3 also needs a manufacturer class label, and operators and passengers must wear helmets. A person under 14 may operate a Class 3 only under immediate supervision of someone at least 18.
Do eBikes need a license or plate?
Compliant eBikes have the rights and duties of bicycles under state law. They need no driver's license, registration, title, insurance or license plate. An eBike beyond the class limits may count as an electric moped, which does need DMV registration.
Can I use earbuds?
No, not in both ears. Virginia Beach rules prohibit riding with earphones on or in both ears. Keep your hearing open for walkers, drivers and other riders, especially where you must give an audible signal before passing.
How much clearance do drivers owe me?
Drivers overtaking cyclists must give 3 feet of clearance. Riders must not impede traffic or ride more than two abreast, and cannot ride on interstates. At night, use a white front light and a red rear reflector.
All eBike shops in Virginia Beach City County
Need a rental, repair or a new bike before you ride? See all Virginia Beach City County eBike shops.