Things To Do on an eBike in Benton County, WA
Benton County riding centers on the Columbia River in Richland and Kennewick. The Richland Riverfront Trail gives you 7 miles of asphalt from Columbia Point Marina Park, and the Keene Road Trail adds 6 miles on an old Union Pacific right-of-way. Neither has a published eBike class rule, so Washington's default applies. The Sacagawea Heritage Trail ties the area together as a 23-mile loop.
This guide covers five routes: three paved corridors, one soft-surface greenway and a long state park trail. Each entry lists distance, trailhead, surface and the eBike rule as the manager publishes it. Where a detail is not published, the entry says so and points to the manager map or posted signs. Surfaces and closures change, so confirm before you ride.
Where to ride in Benton County
Start at Columbia Point Marina Park for the Richland Riverfront Trail, or at Badger Mountain Community Park, 350 Keene Rd, for the Keene Road Trail. The Sacagawea Heritage Trail runs on both sides of the Columbia River through Richland, Kennewick and Pasco, with mile markers to help you find your place. The Tapteal Greenway Trail runs from Bateman Island to Johnson Park, with a separate piece in Horn Rapids County Park. Check each manager map for other access points.
The Sacagawea Heritage Trail is longest at 23 miles, followed by the Richland Riverfront Trail at 7 miles and the Keene Road Trail at 6. The Riverfront is asphalt and Keene is 12-foot-wide asphalt. Sacagawea is listed as asphalt by TrailLink and as variable concrete by the National Park Service. The Tapteal Greenway Trail is packed dirt and wood chips. Riverfront, Keene and Tapteal have no published eBike class rule. The 130-mile Columbia Plateau State Park Trail allows Class 1 and Class 3 pedal-assist eBikes.
eBike shop hubs
Pick a city to see shop listings and contact details. Browse eBike shops in Kennewick for 6 listings or eBike shops in Richland for 4.
Rental and tour contacts
Greenie's at 701 George Washington Way in Richland is the rental listing for Benton County, reachable at 509.946.3787. Call ahead to confirm whether eBikes are available, and ask about rates and rental length.
Named eBike routes and access checks
1. Richland Riverfront Trail: 7 paved miles from Columbia Point
The Richland Riverfront Trail is 7 miles of asphalt and forms part of the 23-mile Sacagawea Heritage Trail. City of Richland Parks and Recreation manages it, and the usual starting point is Columbia Point Marina Park. Richland's bicycle speed ordinance applies on city trails. It sets 8 mph when others are present, in congested areas or where sight lines are limited, and 15 mph when you are alone in a non-congested area with clear sight lines. A TrailLink review, which is secondary, mentioned resurfacing north of Howard Amon Park and a washed-out section near Sprout Road scheduled for repair in summer 2024, with detour signs. Check the city page for current closures. The city lists no eBike class rule for this trail.
Distance: 7 miles, per TrailLink; start: Start at Columbia Point Marina Park; surface: Asphalt, per TrailLink.
eBike access: City of Richland Parks and Recreation publishes no eBike class rule for this trail, so the state default applies. Bicycle speed limits are 8 mph around others and 15 mph when alone with clear sight lines. Etiquette and planning: Slow to 8 mph near walkers and in busy areas. Check the city trail page for resurfacing detours and repairs before a longer ride. Managing source: City of Richland Parks and Recreation, Trails.
2. Keene Road Trail: 6 miles on an old rail line
The Keene Road Trail is a 6-mile rail-trail built on the old Union Pacific right-of-way. It is 12 feet wide and paved with asphalt, and it runs between Bellerive Drive and S. Highlands Boulevard. The width leaves room for two riders to pass, which helps at eBike speeds. Badger Mountain Community Park at 350 Keene Rd is the logical trailhead. Richland Parks and Recreation's trail page lists no eBike class rule for it. Because the route is a single corridor between two named roads, an out-and-back ride is simple to plan, and the full length comes to 12 miles round trip. Match that figure to your battery range before you start.
Distance: 6 miles, per TrailLink; start: Badger Mountain Community Park, 350 Keene Rd; surface: 12-foot-wide asphalt, per TrailLink.
eBike access: No eBike class rule is published for this trail, so Washington's default applies. Class 3 eBikes stay off shared-use paths unless the local jurisdiction allows them, so confirm with posted signs. Etiquette and planning: Keep right and call out before passing. Ask the city whether Richland's trail speed ordinance applies here. It sets 8 mph around others and 15 mph when alone. Managing source: City of Richland Parks and Recreation, Trails.
3. Sacagawea Heritage Trail: 23-mile loop through three cities
The Sacagawea Heritage Trail is a 23-mile blacktop loop on both sides of the Columbia River. It passes through Richland, Kennewick and Pasco, in Benton and Franklin counties, and mile markers run along its full length. The Richland Riverfront Trail is one section of it. The National Park Service describes Class I, Class II and Class III surfaces along the route. Reports differ on the surface. TrailLink lists asphalt, and the Park Service lists variable concrete. The loop crosses city lines, so check the manager map for each segment. Read posted signs for eBike limits, since no single class rule is published for the whole loop.
Distance: 23-mile loop, per the National Park Service and TrailLink; start: Several access points; check the manager map. The Richland Riverfront section starts at Columbia Point Marina Park; surface: Reports differ, as TrailLink lists asphalt, while the National Park Service lists variable concrete surfaces.
eBike access: No eBike class rule appears in the published material for the full loop. The National Park Service describes Class I, Class II and Class III surfaces, so read segment signs and the manager map for eBike limits. Etiquette and planning: Use the mile markers along the full length to note where you are. Follow each city's posted rules as the trail moves between Richland, Kennewick and Pasco. Managing source: National Park Service, Sacagawea Trail page.
4. Tapteal Greenway Trail, soft surface along the Yakima River
The Tapteal Greenway Trail parallels the Yakima River on packed dirt and wood chips. The main stretch runs from Bateman Island through Chamna Natural Preserve to Johnson Park. A separate 5-mile segment sits in Horn Rapids County Park and does not connect to the main stretch. This is the route for riders who want dirt under the tires instead of asphalt. No eBike rule is published for either piece. Washington law keeps eBikes off trails designated nonmotorized with natural-surface tread unless the managing authority allows them, so confirm the designation on posted signs before you ride.
Distance: The Horn Rapids County Park segment is 5 miles, per the Tri-Cities Cycling Map; start: The main section runs from Bateman Island to Johnson Park, and the other segment is inside Horn Rapids County Park; surface: Packed dirt and wood chips, per the Tri-Cities Cycling Map.
eBike access: No eBike rule is published for this trail. Washington bars eBikes from nonmotorized natural-surface trails unless the managing authority allows them, so look for posted signs before you ride. Etiquette and planning: Packed dirt and wood chips can soften after rain, so ride slowly. Slow down in Chamna Natural Preserve and give walkers room. Managing source: City of West Richland, Tri-Cities Cycling Map.
5. Columbia Plateau State Park Trail: 130 miles, Class 1 and 3
The Columbia Plateau State Park Trail runs 130 miles from Cheney to Pasco, and Pasco is one of the three cities on the Sacagawea Heritage Trail loop. Washington State Parks allows Class 1 and Class 3 pedal-assist eBikes on its non-motorized long-distance trails. The allowance names those two classes only. All classes may use roads within State Parks at the posted speed limit, and no eBikes are allowed on hiking-only trails. Which stretches fall inside Benton County is not published, so check the State Parks map before you plan a day. Surface details are not published in the eBike sheet either.
Distance: 130 miles from Cheney to Pasco, per Washington State Parks; start: Several access points; check the manager map; surface: Check the manager page for current surface.
eBike access: Class 1 and Class 3 pedal-assist eBikes are allowed on state park non-motorized long-distance trails. Ask State Parks before bringing a Class 2. Hiking-only trails are closed to eBikes. Etiquette and planning: Follow posted speed limits on park roads. Plan water and battery range for long stretches, because services along the trail are not published. Managing source: Washington State Parks, E-Bike Information Sheet.
Planning a Benton County ride
No charging points are published for the Richland Riverfront, Keene Road or Sacagawea routes. Start with a full battery and match the plan to the distance. A full-length out-and-back on the Keene Road Trail is 12 miles, and the 7-mile Richland Riverfront Trail is 14 miles out and back. Carry a spare plan for a slow ride home if the battery runs low.
Check closures before you leave. A TrailLink review, which is secondary, reported resurfacing north of Howard Amon Park and a washout near Sprout Road in summer 2024. City of Richland Parks and Recreation is the place for current notices. Regional bicycle planning sits with the Benton-Franklin Council of Governments, which split its Active Transportation Plan into a Regional Bicycle Plan in 2024.
Half-day and full-day eBike plans
Half day: Ride the Richland Riverfront Trail from Columbia Point Marina Park. The trail is 7 miles of asphalt, so a full out-and-back is 14 miles. Keep to 8 mph near other people and 15 mph when alone with clear sight lines, per Richland Parks and Recreation. Check the city page for detours north of Howard Amon Park first.
Full day: Take on the 23-mile Sacagawea Heritage Trail loop through Richland, Kennewick and Pasco, using the mile markers to track progress. Reports differ on whether the surface is asphalt or variable concrete, so expect both. Confirm segment signs for eBike limits, and bring water and a charged battery.
Rainy-season backup: Choose the 12-foot-wide asphalt of the Keene Road Trail over the Tapteal Greenway Trail, which is packed dirt and wood chips. Start at Badger Mountain Community Park, 350 Keene Rd. Paved surface holds up better in wet weather than soft surface, and the 6-mile length makes a short out-and-back easy.
What not to ride in Benton County
Hiking-only trails: Washington State Parks does not allow eBikes on hiking-only trails. Park roads are open to all classes at posted speed limits, and long-distance non-motorized trails admit Class 1 and Class 3. Check the park map before you leave pavement.
Class 3 on shared-use paths: Washington's default keeps Class 3 eBikes off shared-use paths unless the local jurisdiction allows them. Richland publishes no class rule for the Riverfront or Keene Road trails, so ask the city or look for signs before bringing a Class 3.
Nonmotorized natural-surface trails: Washington law bars eBikes from trails designated nonmotorized with natural-surface tread unless the managing authority allows them. The Tapteal Greenway Trail is packed dirt and wood chips, and no eBike rule is published for it, so confirm the designation on posted signs.
Class 2 on long-distance state park trails: The State Parks allowance for non-motorized long-distance trails names Class 1 and Class 3 pedal-assist eBikes only. That covers the 130-mile Columbia Plateau State Park Trail. Ask Washington State Parks before taking a Class 2 eBike onto it.
When to ride Benton County
Benton County sits in the dry Columbia Basin, so summer afternoons can run hot on open asphalt. Early morning and evening rides are more comfortable, and you should carry water. Winter mornings can be cold, and packed dirt and wood chips on the Tapteal Greenway Trail can soften after rain. Trail hours are not published for these routes, so check the manager page. Busy stretches slow everyone down, and Richland's 8 mph limit applies when others are present.
Washington eBike laws and route permission
Washington defines an electric-assisted bicycle in RCW 46.04.169. It has two or three wheels, a saddle, fully operative pedals, and a motor of 750 watts or less. Class 1 is pedal-assist only and the assist stops at 20 mph. Class 2 can propel the bike on motor power alone, with no assist at 20 mph. Class 3 is pedal-assist that stops at 28 mph and must have a speedometer. A 2026 amendment (2026 c 159) excludes any vehicle that can exceed 20 mph on motor alone. It also excludes vehicles designed or intended to be easily configured to fall outside the definition, such as with a switch or software setting.
Under RCW 46.61.710, eBikes get the same access to highways and parking as regular bicycles. Class 1 and Class 2 eBikes may use shared-use paths and bicycle-designated parts of highways, but local jurisdictions or state agencies may restrict or limit that use. Class 3 eBikes may ride on facilities within or next to a highway. They are not allowed on shared-use paths unless the local jurisdiction permits it. Class 3 eBikes also stay off sidewalks unless there is no alternative as part of a path or a local ordinance allows it. Riders under 16 may not operate a Class 3 eBike.
Washington has no statewide eBike helmet law. Helmet rules, where they exist, are set locally, so check the city or county where you ride. A driver's license is not required to operate an eBike, according to RCW 46.20.500. We found no state registration requirement for eBikes. If you ride on a sidewalk where it is allowed, you have the rights and duties of a pedestrian under RCW 46.61.755. For more detail, read our guide to Washington eBike laws.
Trail access depends on who manages the trail. Under RCW 46.61.710, no eBike may be ridden on a trail designated nonmotorized with a natural-surface tread unless the managing authority allows it. A paved shared-use path is different. Class 1 and Class 2 eBikes may use those, but a local jurisdiction or state agency can restrict or limit them. Before you ride a trail you have not used, find out who manages it and read its posted rules.
If a path crosses several jurisdictions, the statute says local rules on that shared-use path must be consistent along the whole path. That should keep the rules from changing mid-ride, but confirm with the managers. Class 3 riders face the tightest limits, since local jurisdictions decide whether Class 3 is allowed on shared-use paths. The 2026 definition change also matters for tampering. A bike that can exceed 20 mph on motor alone, or is built to be easily reconfigured, no longer counts as an eBike under the definition.
No Benton County eBike ordinance, sidewalk rule or pending eBike change is published. Washington's state rules apply across the county. Regional bicycle planning is handled by the Benton-Franklin Council of Governments, which split its Active Transportation Plan into a Regional Bicycle Plan in 2024. As of October 2026, no pending change is listed on its page.
Richland's trail speed ordinance for bicycles sets 8 mph when others are present, in congested areas or where sight lines are limited, and 15 mph when you are alone in a non-congested area with clear sight lines. Richland Parks and Recreation lists no eBike class rule for the Riverfront or Keene Road trails. State law, RCW 46.61.710, lets local jurisdictions restrict eBikes on shared-use paths.
One conflict affects planning, and TrailLink lists the Sacagawea Heritage Trail as asphalt, while the National Park Service lists variable concrete surfaces. Neither report changes the eBike rule, which is not published for the full loop. Riders under 16 may not operate a Class 3 eBike under state law, and a bicycle on a sidewalk has pedestrian rights and duties.
Frequently asked questions
Can I ride a Class 3 eBike on the Keene Road Trail?
Washington's default keeps Class 3 eBikes off shared-use paths unless the local jurisdiction allows them. Richland Parks and Recreation lists no eBike class rule for the 6-mile Keene Road Trail, so the state default applies. Ask the city or look for posted signs at Badger Mountain Community Park before you bring a Class 3.
How long is the Richland Riverfront Trail and where does it start?
The Richland Riverfront Trail is 7 miles of asphalt, per TrailLink. It starts at Columbia Point Marina Park and is part of the 23-mile Sacagawea Heritage Trail. City of Richland Parks and Recreation manages it, and bicycles face an 8 mph limit around others and 15 mph when alone.
Is the Sacagawea Heritage Trail paved?
Yes, but reports differ on the material. TrailLink lists asphalt, and the National Park Service lists variable concrete surfaces. Both describe a 23-mile blacktop loop through Richland, Kennewick and Pasco with mile markers along its full length. Expect either material and check segment signs for eBike limits.
Can I ride an eBike on the Tapteal Greenway Trail?
Check posted signs first, because no eBike rule is published for the trail. It is packed dirt and wood chips along the Yakima River. Washington law bars eBikes from nonmotorized natural-surface trails unless the managing authority allows them. A separate 5-mile segment sits in Horn Rapids County Park.
Where do I start the Keene Road Trail?
Badger Mountain Community Park at 350 Keene Rd is the logical trailhead. The 6-mile trail runs between Bellerive Drive and S. Highlands Boulevard on the old Union Pacific right-of-way. It is 12 feet wide and paved with asphalt, per TrailLink. A full-length out-and-back is 12 miles.
Is any part of the Richland Riverfront Trail closed?
Check Richland Parks and Recreation for current notices. A TrailLink review, which is secondary, reported resurfacing north of Howard Amon Park and a washout near Sprout Road scheduled for repair in summer 2024, with detour signs. That work was announced for 2024, so current status is not confirmed.
Can I ride any eBike class on State Parks roads?
Yes, Washington State Parks allows all classes of eBikes on roads within State Parks, and riders must follow posted speed limits. Hiking-only trails are closed to eBikes. Long-distance non-motorized trails such as the Columbia Plateau State Park Trail admit Class 1 and Class 3 pedal-assist eBikes only.
Does Benton County have its own eBike ordinance?
No Benton County eBike ordinance is published, so Washington's state rules apply. Richland has a trail speed ordinance for bicycles, 8 mph around others and 15 mph when alone with clear sight lines. The Benton-Franklin Council of Governments handles regional bicycle planning and issued a Regional Bicycle Plan in 2024.
All eBike shops in Benton County
See all Benton County eBike shops in Richland and Kennewick, including the rental listing on George Washington Way.