Things To Do on an eBike in King County, WA
King County has long, mostly flat trail corridors that suit eBikes. The Burke-Gilman, Sammamish River, Cedar River, East Lake Sammamish and Eastrail routes cover the north end, the Eastside and the Cedar valley. Each has a different manager and slightly different details.
The main rule is the same on county trails: Class 1 and 2 eBikes are allowed, Class 3 is not, and the limit is 15 mph. Read the notes under each route, then pick one that fits your bike and your legs.
Where to ride in King County
These routes run from Seattle's Ballard waterfront to Bothell, Redmond, Woodinville, Renton, Maple Valley and the Eastside. The Burke-Gilman is managed by Seattle DOT, Seattle Parks and King County. The Sammamish River, Cedar River and East Lake Sammamish trails are King County Parks. Eastrail includes the city-run Cross Kirkland Corridor and connects to light rail in Bellevue.
The Cedar River Trail is the longest at 17 miles, with 12 paved and 5 gravel. The Burke-Gilman is about 19 miles by TrailLink, though sources disagree. The Sammamish River Trail and East Lake Sammamish Trail are each about 11 miles. Eastrail is a corridor with several segments. Rules match across county trails: Class 1 and 2 only, 15 mph. Seattle Parks also bars Class 3 on its trails.
eBike shop hubs
Need a shop near your route? These city pages list local eBike dealers, repair shops and rental counters, starting with the cities that have the most listings.
- eBike shops in North Bend
- eBike shops in Seattle
- eBike shops in Issaquah
- eBike shops in Kirkland
- eBike shops in Snoqualmie
- eBike shops in Mercer Island
- eBike shops in Renton
- eBike shops in Bothell
- eBike shops in Bellevue
- eBike shops in Sammamish
- eBike shops in Enumclaw
- eBike shops in Auburn
- eBike shops in Vashon
- eBike shops in Kent
- eBike shops in Preston
- eBike shops in Redmond
- eBike shops in Maple Valley
- eBike shops in Tukwila
- eBike shops in Duvall
- eBike shops in Federal Way
- eBike shops in Lake Forest Park
- eBike shops in Woodinville
- eBike shops in Kenmore
- eBike shops in Shoreline
- eBike shops in Seatac
Rental and tour contacts
Rental and tour options include The Line Bike Experience and Foothills MTB Rentals. Electric Bike Rentals by WFR and The Line Trailhead Bike Rentals at Snoqualmie Point Park (Raging River) are also listed.
The Line Bike Experience🚲 Rentals
Foothills MTB Rentals🚲 Rentals
Electric Bike Rentals by WFR🚲 Rentals
Named eBike routes and access checks
1. Burke-Gilman Trail: Seattle to Bothell along the water
The Burke-Gilman is the region's best known paved trail. It runs from Golden Gardens Park in Seattle north and east to Blythe Park in Bothell, where it meets the Sammamish River Trail. The original 12.1 miles from Gas Works Park to Tracy Owen Station in Kenmore were dedicated on August 19, 1978. Seattle DOT and Seattle Parks manage the city part, and King County manages the north. There is a 1.4-mile gap called the Missing Link on Shilshole Ave NW, per Cascade. Length is disputed: TrailLink says 19.7 miles, Cascade says 18.8 miles to 102nd Ave NE, and SDOT's history page calls it 27 miles. The Seattle segment is open until 11:30 pm per The Urbanist, and the county segment has shorter hours.
Distance: About 19.7 miles, per TrailLink; Cascade says 18.8 miles and SDOT calls it 27 miles; start: Golden Gardens Park in Seattle or Blythe Park in Bothell; surface: Check the manager page for current surface.
eBike access: Class 1 and 2 eBikes are allowed under Seattle Parks policy and county code. Class 3 is not allowed on park trails. Etiquette and planning: Expect commuters and walkers. Keep right, call out before passing, and plan around the Missing Link on Shilshole Ave NW. Managing source: TrailLink, Burke-Gilman Trail.
2. Sammamish River Trail: Marymoor to Bothell past Woodinville
The Sammamish River Trail is a King County Parks route that links Marymoor Park in Redmond with Blythe Park in Bothell. At the north end it joins the Burke-Gilman, so you can ride a long continuous trip toward Seattle. Cascade notes that wineries and fields sit near Woodinville, which makes a good midpoint stop. The route is about 11 miles one way. Because it is a regional trail, county code applies: Class 1 and 2 eBikes are welcome, Class 3 is not, and everyone is held to 15 mph. This is a good first ride for newer eBike owners who want a simple out-and-back.
Distance: About 11 miles, per Cascade; start: Marymoor Park in Redmond or Blythe Park in Bothell; surface: Check the manager page for current surface.
eBike access: Class 1 and 2 are allowed on regional trails. Class 3 is not allowed on trails or pathways in county park areas. Etiquette and planning: The limit is 15 mph for everyone. Yield to pedestrians and horses, keep right, and signal before passing. Managing source: Cascade Bicycle Club, trails for bicyclists.
3. Cedar River Trail: Renton to Maple Valley and Landsburg
The Cedar River Trail is a King County Parks route following the Cedar River southeast from Renton. It is 17 miles in total. The first 12 miles are paved from Cedar River Park in Renton to Maple Valley. The last 5 miles are gravel from Maple Valley to Landsburg, per Cascade. Salmon spawn in the river seasonally, so fall can be a good time to look, though crowds near viewing spots may be heavier. Riders who want an easy paved day can turn around in Maple Valley. Riders with wider tires can continue on the gravel. County trail rules apply along the route.
Distance: 17 miles total, 12 paved and 5 gravel, per Cascade; start: Cedar River Park in Renton; surface: Paved from Renton to Maple Valley, then gravel to Landsburg.
eBike access: Class 1 and 2 are allowed on regional trails. Class 3 is not allowed on county park trails. Etiquette and planning: Keep to 15 mph, give walkers space near salmon viewing areas, and take wider tires if you plan to ride the gravel. Managing source: Cascade Bicycle Club, trails for bicyclists.
4. East Lake Sammamish Trail: Lakeside Eastside route
The East Lake Sammamish Trail is a King County Parks route of about 11 miles, per the Seattle Times. It follows the east side of Lake Sammamish. The Seattle Times reported that eBikes are allowed here, but e-scooters are barred on the federally funded central segment. That makes it a useful example of why segment rules matter. The county trail rules still apply to eBikes: Class 1 and 2 only and a 15 mph limit. Check the county parks page for closures or detours before you go, because trailhead access can change.
Distance: About 11 miles, per the Seattle Times; start: Several access points; check the manager map; surface: Check the manager page for current surface.
eBike access: eBikes are allowed, per the Seattle Times. Class 1 and 2 only under county code. E-scooters are barred on the federally funded central segment. Etiquette and planning: Keep to 15 mph and stay right. If you ride with someone on an e-scooter, check which segments they can use. Managing source: The Seattle Times, King County approves use of e-bikes on regional trails.
5. Eastrail: Eastside corridor with a light rail link
Eastrail is a multi-segment corridor on the Eastside. According to Eastrail, Class 1 and 2 eBikes are allowed on all segments after the county code update, and the 15 mph limit applies along the whole corridor. The Cross Kirkland Corridor is part of it and is city-operated, open 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., per The Urbanist. The 2 Line light rail connects with the corridor in Bellevue, which gives you a way to start or end a ride without a car. Because segments have different managers, check the Eastrail page for current status of each section before a longer trip.
Distance: Multi-segment corridor; check Eastrail for current mileage; start: Cross Kirkland Corridor in Kirkland, or the 2 Line light rail connection in Bellevue; surface: Check the manager page for current surface.
eBike access: Class 1 and 2 are allowed on all segments. The 15 mph limit applies on the entire corridor. Etiquette and planning: Respect the Cross Kirkland Corridor hours of 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. and keep to 15 mph throughout. Managing source: Eastrail, eBikes.
6. Lake to Sound Trail: Partly built, check before you go
The Lake to Sound Trail is planned at 16 miles and is incomplete, per the Seattle Times. The same report says e-scooters, not eBikes, are barred on the federally funded parts. That means eBikes are allowed under the county's regional trail rules, but you should expect gaps where the trail is not yet built. Trailheads and surfaces vary by segment, so look at the King County Parks site before planning a ride. Use it as a shorter, local ride rather than a through route until you confirm what is open. The 15 mph county limit applies.
Distance: 16 miles planned and incomplete, per the Seattle Times; start: Several access points; check the manager map; surface: Check the manager page for current surface.
eBike access: Class 1 and 2 are allowed on regional trails. E-scooters, not eBikes, are barred on federally funded parts. Etiquette and planning: Expect gaps in the route. Keep to 15 mph and confirm which sections are open before you leave. Managing source: The Seattle Times, King County approves use of e-bikes on regional trails.
Planning a King County ride
Charging details are not in our sources, so charge fully at home and carry what you need. Trail hours differ: the Seattle part of the Burke-Gilman is open to 11:30 pm per The Urbanist, the county part has shorter hours, and the Cross Kirkland Corridor is open 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
For transit, the 2 Line light rail connects to Eastrail in Bellevue. Our sources do not cover ferries or buses. Expect more walkers on sunny weekends, and check each manager's page for closures before you go.
Half-day and full-day eBike plans
Half day: Ride the Sammamish River Trail from Marymoor Park in Redmond toward Bothell, about 11 miles one way. Stop near Woodinville for wineries and fields, then turn around or continue on the Burke-Gilman if your battery allows.
Full day: Ride the Burke-Gilman from Golden Gardens Park toward Blythe Park in Bothell, then link to the Sammamish River Trail. Plan for the Missing Link on Shilshole Ave NW, and keep 15 mph on county sections.
With kids: Pick the paved 12 miles of the Cedar River Trail from Cedar River Park in Renton toward Maple Valley. Turn around early, watch for salmon in season, and keep a steady, slow pace with walkers nearby.
What not to ride in King County
Backcountry trails: The Seattle Times reports 215 miles of unpaved backcountry trails remain off-limits to eBikes. County code allows Class 1 and 2 only on regional trails and paved pathways in park areas, so do not take your eBike onto dirt singletrack.
Class 3 on any park trail: Neither King County nor Seattle Parks allows Class 3 eBikes on trails or pathways within parks. State law would let locals permit Class 3 on shared-use paths, but they chose not to. Keep a Class 3 on roads and bike lanes.
E-motos and mopeds: King County Parks says e-motos and mopeds are not allowed on regional trails. State law now excludes vehicles that can exceed 20 mph on motor alone, or can easily be reconfigured, from the eBike definition.
Federally funded e-scooter segments: E-scooters, not eBikes, are barred on federally funded parts of the East Lake Sammamish Trail and the Lake to Sound Trail. If your group mixes eBikes and scooters, check segment rules first.
When to ride King County
Our sources do not give seasonal numbers, so plan cautiously. Weekends and sunny days will likely be busiest, especially near popular trailheads and the salmon season on the Cedar River Trail. Mornings and weekdays are usually calmer. Wet weather is common in the Pacific Northwest, so gravel sections like the Cedar River's last 5 miles may be slower. Check trail hours too: the Cross Kirkland Corridor runs 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
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.
King County Code Title 7 allows Class 1 and 2 eBikes and micromobility devices only on regional trails and paved pathways in park areas, unless state or federal law prohibits it. The parks director posts exceptions. Class 3 is not allowed on any trail or pathway in park areas. Read King County Code Title 7.
The trail code of conduct sets 15 mph or less on regional and backcountry trails unless posted, outside dedicated mountain bike areas. Riders must use a reasonable and prudent speed, keep right, yield to pedestrians and horses, and signal before passing. King County Parks' summer safety guide of July 9, 2026 states 15 mph for everyone.
Seattle Parks' 2020 policy allows Class 1 and 2 on multi-use trails and bans Class 3 on park trails. Burke-Gilman length is a source conflict: TrailLink says 19.7 miles, Cascade says 18.8 miles, and SDOT calls it 27 miles. Helmet rules are local, and we have not verified a county requirement, so check before you ride.
Frequently asked questions
What is the longest eBike route here?
By our sources the Burke-Gilman is longest, but they disagree: TrailLink says 19.7 miles, Cascade says 18.8 miles, and SDOT calls it 27 miles. The Cedar River Trail is 17 miles, per Cascade.
Is the Cedar River Trail fully paved?
No: Per Cascade, 12 miles are paved from Renton's Cedar River Park to Maple Valley. The remaining 5 miles from Maple Valley to Landsburg are gravel. Wider tires help on that section.
Can I ride the Eastrail on a Class 2 eBike?
Yes: According to Eastrail, Class 1 and 2 are allowed on all segments after the county code update, with a 15 mph limit for the entire corridor. Class 3 is not allowed on county park trails.
What is the Missing Link?
It is a 1.4-mile gap in the Burke-Gilman on Shilshole Ave NW, per Cascade. Plan a street route through it and check Seattle DOT for current conditions.
Are there rentals near the trails?
Yes: Listings include The Line Bike Experience, Foothills MTB Rentals, Electric Bike Rentals by WFR and The Line Trailhead Bike Rentals at Snoqualmie Point Park (Raging River). Call to confirm bike classes and hours.
Can I take an eBike on mountain bike trails?
Not on backcountry trails. The Seattle Times reports 215 miles of unpaved backcountry trails remain off-limits to eBikes. Dedicated mountain bike areas have their own rules, so check with the manager.
How late can I ride on the Burke-Gilman?
The Seattle segment is open to 11:30 pm, per The Urbanist. The county segment has shorter hours, so check King County Parks for posted times. Use lights after dark.
What counts as an eBike in Washington?
Under RCW 46.04.169, an eBike has working pedals, a motor of 750 W or less, and one of three classes. A 2026 change excludes vehicles that can exceed 20 mph on motor alone or are easily reconfigured. For more, see Washington eBike laws.
All eBike shops in King County
Ready to buy, rent or get service? Browse all King County eBike shops by city.