Things To Do on an eBike in Spokane County, WA
Spokane County riding centers on a few named trails. The Spokane River Centennial Trail is paved and runs through the city and out to Nine Mile Falls. The Appleway Trail is a 5.8 mile paved path in Spokane Valley. The Columbia Plateau Trail heads southwest on a railbed toward Cheney and Sprague, mostly on gravel.
Rules differ by manager, and Washington State Parks runs the Centennial, Columbia Plateau, and Palouse to Cascades trails and allows Class 1 and Class 3 pedal-assist eBikes on them. The City of Spokane Valley runs the Appleway Trail and publishes no eBike rule, so state law applies. Where details are not published, check the manager map or posted signs.
Where to ride in Spokane County
Spokane County sits in eastern Washington, next to the Idaho border. The Centennial Trail crosses into Idaho and continues about 24 miles as the North Idaho Centennial Trail through Post Falls toward Coeur d'Alene. Spokane Valley holds the Appleway Trail. Fish Lake and Martin Road, south of Sprague, mark the ends of the county's improved Columbia Plateau Trail section.
The Appleway Trail is the shortest at 5.8 paved miles. The Centennial Trail is much longer and paved, but its length is listed as 40 miles by the state park page, 37 miles in Spokane by the State Parks eBike sheet, and nearly 40 miles by the county. The Columbia Plateau's county section is 23 miles, with sources split on how much is paved. State Parks trails allow Class 1 and Class 3. The Appleway Trail follows state default rules.
eBike shop hubs
Looking for a shop near your ride? Start with the city pages below, where each listing shows its category and contact details.
Other local service contacts
No rental listings show up for Spokane County right now, so these shops are the local contacts for service, parts and test rides. Call Spokane Alpine Haus or Carnegie Bicycle Repair first to ask whether they work on your motor system and battery.
Named eBike routes and access checks
1. Spokane River Centennial Trail, paved miles along the river
The Centennial Trail is the county's best known riding corridor, and Washington State Parks manages it as Centennial Trail State Park while each jurisdiction helps maintain its stretch. The county describes it as a paved recreational trail that runs from the Nine Mile Falls area through Spokane and on to the Idaho border, then continues about 24 miles as the North Idaho Centennial Trail through Post Falls toward Coeur d'Alene. Trailhead examples include Sontag Park in Nine Mile Falls, plus Maringo, Islands, and Barker, and closure notices matter here. The trail remains closed between TJ Meenach Bridge and McLellan Trailhead, and sewer work near Mission Park was scheduled through Oct. 4, so current status and detours should be checked.
Distance: Listed as 40 miles by the Washington State Parks page, 37 miles in Spokane by the State Parks eBike sheet, and nearly 40 miles by Spokane County; start: Sontag Park in Nine Mile Falls, or the Maringo, Islands, and Barker trailheads; surface: Paved, per Spokane County.
eBike access: Washington State Parks allows Class 1 and Class 3 pedal-assist eBikes on this trail. Class 2 is not listed on its eBike sheet. No trail-specific speed limit was found. Etiquette and planning: Follow posted speeds and detours. A Discover Pass is only needed at trailheads inside Riverside State Park. Check closures on the state page before you leave. Managing source: Washington State Parks, Spokane River Centennial State Park Trail.
2. Appleway Trail: Spokane Valley on an old rail grade
The Appleway Trail follows the old Milwaukee Railroad right of way through Spokane Valley. The City of Spokane Valley manages it. It is a paved shared-use path, which makes it an easy fit for a short eBike ride or a shop-to-trail test spin. The city lists trailheads with dedicated parking at University, Pines Road, Best Road, and Tschirley. The city page describes the trail as non-motorized and meant for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other users. It does not state an eBike rule. That means Washington's default applies: Class 1 and Class 2 may use shared-use paths unless the city restricts them, and Class 3 is only allowed where the local jurisdiction permits it. Ask the city if you ride a Class 3.
Distance: 5.8 miles, per the City of Spokane Valley; start: Trailheads at University, Pines Road, Best Road, and Tschirley; surface: Paved, per the City of Spokane Valley.
eBike access: No eBike rule is published on the city page. State default applies, and Class 3 is not allowed on shared-use paths unless the local jurisdiction permits it. Etiquette and planning: Treat it as a shared path. Keep speed down near walkers, use the dedicated trailhead lots, and watch for signs at road crossings. Managing source: City of Spokane Valley, Appleway Trail.
3. Columbia Plateau Trail, railbed riding toward Sprague
The Columbia Plateau State Park Trail is a 130 mile railbed trail managed by Washington State Parks. In Spokane County, the improved north portion runs 23 miles from the Fish Lake Trailhead to Martin Road, south of Sprague. It is a quieter option than the river corridor and suits riders who want a long, steady out-and-back. Sources disagree on the surface. The state page says the first 3.75 miles are asphalt and the remaining 19.25 miles are crushed gravel. The county regional trails plan says it is generally ten-foot-wide compacted gravel, with a 3.5-mile paved stretch between Fish Lake and Cheney. Pack for gravel, and use wider tires if you can.
Distance: 23-mile improved portion in Spokane County, per Washington State Parks; start: Fish Lake Trailhead; surface: Conflict: the State Parks page says 3.75 miles of asphalt then crushed gravel, while the county trails plan says compacted gravel with a 3.5-mile paved stretch.
eBike access: Washington State Parks allows Class 1 and Class 3 pedal-assist eBikes on this non-motorized long-distance trail. No trail-specific speed limit was found. Etiquette and planning: Carry water and a spare tube, since services along a railbed can be far apart. Follow posted limits and watch for walkers and horses if signed. Managing source: Washington State Parks, Columbia Plateau Trail.
4. Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail, the long cross-state route
The Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail stretches 285 miles from North Bend to the Idaho border, and Washington State Parks manages it. It is the longest route on this list, and it is mainly useful for riders planning multi-day trips. The State Parks eBike sheet names it among the non-motorized long-distance trails open to Class 1 and Class 3 pedal-assist eBikes. The sheet does not give the surface, a trailhead, or whether the trail crosses Spokane County, so do not plan a local day ride from this entry alone. Use the State Parks trail page and the manager map to confirm access points, conditions, and any closures near your starting point.
Distance: 285 miles from North Bend to the Idaho border, per the Washington State Parks eBike information sheet; start: Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail: several access points; check the manager map; surface: Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail: 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, per the State Parks eBike sheet. All classes are allowed on roads inside State Parks. Etiquette and planning: Confirm the section you plan to ride before you go. Follow posted speed limits and do not ride on trails signed for hiking only. Managing source: Washington State Parks, E-Bike Information Sheet.
5. Children of the Sun Trail, a named shared use path
Children of the Sun Trail is named as a shared use path in Spokane County's draft Active Transportation Master Plan. That is all the plan says. It does not state who manages it, how long it is, what the surface is, or where to start. Treat it as a path to scout, not a route to plan a ride around. Before riding, check the manager map or signs at the access point. No eBike rule has been published for it, so Washington's default applies. Class 1 and Class 2 eBikes may use shared-use paths unless a local jurisdiction restricts them, and Class 3 needs local permission to use them.
Distance: Children of the Sun Trail: length is not published in the county draft plan; start: Children of the Sun Trail: several access points; check the manager map; surface: Children of the Sun Trail: check the manager page for current surface.
eBike access: No eBike rule found, so the state default applies: Class 1 and 2 allowed unless restricted locally, and Class 3 only where the local jurisdiction allows it. Etiquette and planning: Look for posted signs at each entrance. Ride slowly, since the path width and traffic are unknown, and yield to people on foot. Managing source: Spokane County, Active Transportation Master Plan draft.
6. Wandermere Road shared use path, a county path to check first
The Wandermere Road shared use path is another path named in Spokane County's draft Active Transportation Master Plan. The draft names it and gives nothing else: no manager, length, surface, or trailhead. The Chapman Road path and the North Little Spokane Drive neighborhood path are listed the same way. Because details are not published, this is a route to confirm before riding. Look at the manager map and posted signs. State law treats eBikes like bicycles on roads and generally lets Class 1 and Class 2 use shared-use paths unless local rules restrict them. Class 3 riders need local permission on a shared-use path.
Distance: Wandermere Road shared use path: length is not published in the county draft plan; start: Wandermere Road shared use path: several access points; check the manager map; surface: Wandermere Road shared use path: check the manager page for current surface.
eBike access: No eBike rule found, so State default applies, and Class 3 is not allowed on shared-use paths unless the local jurisdiction permits it. Etiquette and planning: Expect road crossings and mixed users. Keep speeds modest and read posted signs at each access point. Managing source: Spokane County, Active Transportation Master Plan draft.
Planning a Spokane County ride
No charging locations are published for these routes, so charge at home or at a shop before you go. For the long state park trails, plan range with a margin, especially on the gravel Columbia Plateau section. Trailhead parking is dedicated at the Appleway Trail's University, Pines Road, Best Road, and Tschirley access points.
Closures are the main planning issue on the Centennial Trail. The trail remains closed between TJ Meenach Bridge and McLellan Trailhead. Sewer work near Mission Park through Oct. 4 has a detour. Read the latest notice before you leave. No transit or ferry details are published for these routes.
Half-day and full-day eBike plans
Half day: Ride the Appleway Trail in Spokane Valley. It is 5.8 paved miles, with parking at University, Pines Road, Best Road, and Tschirley. Park at one end, ride out and back, and stop at a Spokane Valley shop afterward if your bike needs a check.
Full day: Take the Centennial Trail from a trailhead such as Sontag Park, Maringo, Islands, or Barker. Check the State Parks closure notice first and plan around any detours. The trail is paved, and Class 1 and Class 3 pedal-assist eBikes are allowed.
Rainy-season backup: Skip the gravel because the Columbia Plateau Trail is mostly gravel, with disagreement on how much is paved. Use the paved Appleway Trail or a short Centennial Trail stretch instead, and carry fenders and lights.
What not to ride in Spokane County
Hiking-only trails: State Parks says eBikes are not allowed on trails designated only for hiking or on trails that do not permit bicycles. Check the sign at the trailhead. If it shows no bikes, an eBike is no exception.
Closed Centennial Trail sections: The state park page says the trail remains closed between TJ Meenach Bridge and McLellan Trailhead. Do not ride around barriers. Follow posted detours and check the page for current status before your ride.
Class 2 on state park long-distance trails: The State Parks eBike sheet lists Class 1 and Class 3 as allowed on non-motorized long-distance trails. It does not list Class 2. If your eBike has a throttle, ask State Parks before riding these trails.
Class 3 on local shared-use paths: Washington law bars Class 3 eBikes from shared-use paths unless the local jurisdiction allows them. The Appleway Trail page publishes no eBike rule, so confirm with the City of Spokane Valley before taking a Class 3 there.
When to ride Spokane County
Spokane County has four seasons. Summer is the busiest time on the paved trails, and mornings and evenings are usually more comfortable on warm days. Winter can bring snow and ice, which makes gravel and shaded paved sections risky, so check conditions. Trail hours are not published for these routes, so look at posted signs and manager pages. Closure work, like the sewer work near Mission Park, can change a route at any time of year.
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 Spokane County or City of Spokane eBike ordinance or sidewalk rule was found. The county's 2025 Active Transportation Master Plan says eBikes are generally regarded like conventional bikes. That means helmet laws and other rules are enforced the same way. It also says riders must be at least 16 in Washington, with no insurance or registration needed. Under state law, Class 3 riders must be 16 or older.
Park managers set the trail rules. Washington State Parks allows Class 1 and Class 3 pedal-assist eBikes on the Centennial, Columbia Plateau, and Palouse to Cascades trails. It allows all classes on roads inside State Parks. eBikes are not allowed on hiking-only trails. Riders follow posted speed limits. The City of Spokane Valley manages the Appleway Trail and posts no separate eBike rule.
Some details conflict, and the Centennial Trail is listed as 40 miles by the State Parks page, 37 miles in Spokane by the State Parks eBike sheet, and nearly 40 miles by the county. The Columbia Plateau surface differs between the State Parks page and the county regional trails plan. No pending eBike changes with dates were found for the county.
Frequently asked questions
Which Spokane County trail is longest?
The Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail is the longest, at 285 miles from North Bend to the Idaho border. The sources do not say whether it crosses Spokane County, so confirm access points with State Parks before you plan a local ride.
How long is the Centennial Trail?
It depends on the source. The Washington State Parks page says 40 miles. The State Parks eBike sheet says 37 miles in Spokane. Spokane County says nearly 40 miles. The trail also continues about 24 miles into Idaho as the North Idaho Centennial Trail.
Is the Columbia Plateau Trail paved?
Partly, and sources conflict, State Parks says the first 3.75 miles are asphalt and the remaining 19.25 miles crushed gravel, while the county regional trails plan says compacted gravel with a 3.5-mile paved stretch between Fish Lake and Cheney, so bring tires that handle gravel.
Where does the Appleway Trail start?
The City of Spokane Valley lists trailheads with dedicated parking at University, Pines Road, Best Road, and Tschirley. The trail is 5.8 paved miles on the old Milwaukee Railroad right of way and is managed by the city.
Can I ride a Class 3 eBike on the Appleway Trail?
The city page publishes no eBike rule. Under Washington law, Class 3 eBikes are not allowed on shared-use paths unless the local jurisdiction allows it. Ask the City of Spokane Valley before riding a Class 3 there.
Which classes may use the state park trails?
Washington State Parks allows Class 1 and Class 3 pedal-assist eBikes on its non-motorized long-distance trails, including the Centennial, Columbia Plateau, and Palouse to Cascades trails. Class 2 is not listed on the eBike sheet, so ask State Parks first.
Do I need a Discover Pass?
Only at Centennial Trail trailheads inside Riverside State Park, according to Spokane County. It is not required at other trailheads such as Maringo, Islands, and Barker. Posted signs at each lot are the final word.
Are there rentals or guided tours?
No rental or tour listings are shown for this county. If you need an eBike for a ride, call a local shop and ask whether it rents or sells eBikes, since none of the listings is categorized as an electric bicycle store.
All eBike shops in Spokane County
Need a shop, a repair, or advice on trail-ready tires? Browse all Spokane County eBike shops.