Things To Do on an eBike in Dane County, WI
Dane County has two long state trails and a set of Madison paths that link them. The Badger State Trail heads south, and the Capital City State Trail ties together several routes. Most of what you ride is paved or crushed stone, and the rules depend on who manages each piece. This guide covers distances, surfaces and eBike rules.
Class matters more here than in many places. On DNR trails, only Class 1 and Class 3 may use the motor, and only below 15 mph. Class 2 riders should leave the motor off. City and county paths follow state law unless a sign says otherwise. Check closures before you go, especially on the Badger.
Where to ride in Dane County
The routes below are in Dane County, with the Badger State Trail also reaching into Green County. The Capital City State Trail links Madison, Fitchburg and Verona area routes. The Badger runs south through Fitchburg and Belleville. City paths such as the Cannonball, Blackhawk and Campus Drive paths sit in Madison. We list the manager and source for each, so you can check current conditions yourself.
The Badger State Trail is the longest at 40 miles, per the DNR, with 6 asphalt and 34 crushed stone. The Capital City State Trail is all asphalt, but its length is disputed: the DNR table says 17 miles and Dane County Parks says over 20. Both are state trails with pass rules that differ by segment. The Cannonball, Blackhawk and Campus Drive paths are city or county paths. We could not confirm their lengths, so check city maps.
eBike shop hubs
Need a shop near your route? These city pages list the Dane County eBike shop listings, from Madison with 40 down to towns with a single card.
- eBike shops in Madison
- eBike shops in Oregon
- eBike shops in Mcfarland
- eBike shops in Verona
- eBike shops in Blue Mounds
- eBike shops in Belleville
- eBike shops in Middleton
- eBike shops in Mt Horeb
- eBike shops in Stoughton
- eBike shops in Sun Prairie
- eBike shops in Waunakee
Rental and tour contacts
Rental and tour cards on this page include Madison BCycle stations and Trek Bicycle Madison West. Confirm eBike availability, hours and prices with each business before you go.
Trek Bicycle Madison West🚲 Rentals
Motorless Motion (MoMo) Bicycles🚲 Rentals
Named eBike routes and access checks
1. Badger State Trail, long rail-trail south of Madison
The Badger State Trail is a DNR rail-trail that runs through Dane and Green counties. It leaves the Madison area and passes Fitchburg, Belleville, Monticello and Monroe. It connects to the Capital City State Trail and the Sugar River trail. Most of it is crushed stone, with a short asphalt stretch. It is open year-round. Two notices matter this season. Stewart Tunnel is closed for construction through 2026, with a detour on Tunnel Road, per a DNR update dated May 6, 2026. The DNR also posted a caution on May 21, 2026 about farm-field runoff north of Basco. Check the DNR page before you commit to a long day, since conditions may have changed since those dates.
Distance: 40 miles, with 6 asphalt and 34 crushed stone, per the Wisconsin DNR; start: Several access points; check the DNR map; surface: Mostly crushed stone, with 6 miles of asphalt, per the Wisconsin DNR.
eBike access: Class 1 and Class 3 may use the motor below 15 mph. Class 2 is not listed as allowed with the motor on. A state trail pass is required for bicyclists 16 and older. Etiquette and planning: Carry water and a spare tube, since stone surfaces can be soft after rain. Check the Stewart Tunnel detour before you go. Slow down when you pass walkers. Managing source: Wisconsin DNR, Badger State Trail info.
2. Capital City State Trail, paved link across Madison and Fitchburg
The Capital City State Trail is a paved route managed jointly by Dane County, the City of Madison, Fitchburg and the DNR. It opened on June 3, 2000, starting with the first 9.5 miles. It now connects to the Military Ridge, Badger, Southwest Bike Path, Cannonball, Starkweather and Lower Yahara routes, which makes it a good backbone for a longer ride. Sources disagree on length. Dane County Parks says it is now over 20 miles. The DNR table lists 17 miles of asphalt. We show both because we could not reconcile them. Users have been detoured around Monona Bay, so check current notices from the City of Madison before you ride.
Distance: Over 20 miles per Dane County Parks, but 17 miles of asphalt per the DNR table; the sources conflict; start: Several access points; check the Dane County Parks map; surface: Asphalt, per Dane County Parks and the DNR table.
eBike access: Follow DNR rules on state segments: Class 1 and Class 3 motor use below 15 mph. A state trail pass is required for ages 16 and up only on the Lewis Nine Springs E-way, Nob Hill Road to Verona Road. Etiquette and planning: This is a shared path with several managers, so watch for changing signs. Check the Monona Bay detour notice before you go. Keep right and pass with a call. Managing source: Dane County Parks, Capital City State Trail.
3. Cannonball Path, city and county connector
The Cannonball Path is a Madison area path that connects to the Capital City State Trail. That link makes it useful for turning a single trail ride into a loop or for reaching the Southwest and Military Ridge routes. We have not confirmed its length, surface or exact trailheads from a manager page, so we do not state them here. Check the city and county maps before you plan mileage. The City of Madison page we reviewed lists no citywide eBike class ban. On any state trail segment it meets, follow the state and DNR rules and postings. Treat it as a short connector unless the map shows otherwise, and keep your battery in mind for the return.
Distance: Length not confirmed; check the City of Madison map; start: Several access points; check the manager map; surface: Check the manager page for current surface.
eBike access: No citywide eBike class ban was found on the City of Madison page. Follow state law and posted signs, and DNR Class 1 and 3 limits on state trail segments. Etiquette and planning: Expect shared use with walkers and commuters. Slow down at path crossings. Confirm any detours or closure notices on the City of Madison page before you go. Managing source: City of Madison, Biking and Walking.
4. Blackhawk Path: Madison path to check on the map
The Blackhawk Path is a named Madison area path in our route list. Our fact check did not confirm its length, surface, trailheads or manager, so we are not going to guess. Look it up on the City of Madison biking and walking page and the county maps before you ride. The city page shows no citywide eBike class ban. State law lets a city or county ban motor use on bikeways it controls, so read the posted signs at each entrance. If the path touches a state trail segment, the DNR rules apply there. Call a local shop if you want rider advice on how it connects to your route.
Distance: Length not confirmed on a primary page for this corridor; check the managing agency map. (Blackhawk Path); start: Several access points; check the manager map for this named corridor; surface: Check the manager page for current surface.
eBike access: No citywide eBike class ban was found for Madison. A city or county may ban motors on its own bikeways, so follow posted signs and state law. Etiquette and planning: Look for signs at each entrance before you ride. Keep speeds low around walkers and children. Confirm closures with the city before you plan a longer trip. Managing source: City of Madison, Biking and Walking.
5. Campus Drive Path, short city option
The Campus Drive Path is another named Madison area path from our route list. We could not verify its length, surface or managing agency, so this entry stays short on purpose. Use the City of Madison biking and walking page to find current maps and notices. The city page shows no citywide eBike class ban. Follow state law and signs. In a busy part of town, expect people on foot, so ride slowly. It can work as a low-commitment ride when weather is poor or when you only want an hour out. Madison also has about 100 BCycle stations, per the city page.
Distance: Length not confirmed on a primary page for this corridor; check the managing agency map. (Campus Drive Path); start: Several access points; check the manager map for this named corridor; surface: Check the manager page for current surface.
eBike access: No citywide eBike class ban was found for Madison. Follow state law and any posted signs. DNR limits apply only on state trail segments. Etiquette and planning: Expect foot traffic and slow down near crossings. Use a bell or call when passing. Check the city page for current notices before you ride. Managing source: City of Madison, Biking and Walking.
Planning a Dane County ride
We found no charging information for these routes, so charge at home or at your shop and plan your range with margin. The Badger State Trail is long, and access points vary, so check the DNR map for where you can turn around. Bring a spare tube and tools for the crushed stone sections.
Closures change. Stewart Tunnel on the Badger is closed through 2026, with a Tunnel Road detour, per the DNR. The Monona Bay detour affects Capital City Trail users, so check City of Madison notices. Madison has about 100 BCycle stations, per the city, which can help with short trips. We found no ferry or transit facts for these routes.
Half-day and full-day eBike plans
Half day: Start on the Capital City State Trail, which is paved and links to several routes. Add the Cannonball Path as a connector if the map suits you. Check the Monona Bay detour first. Keep it to a short out and back so you have battery left and time to browse a Madison shop.
Full day: Ride the Badger State Trail south from the Madison area toward Belleville and turn around when your battery says so. Carry a trail pass if you are 16 or older. Check the Stewart Tunnel closure and the Tunnel Road detour before you leave, and expect crushed stone for most of the way.
Rainy-season backup: Skip the crushed stone and stay on paved routes. A short Campus Drive Path or Blackhawk Path ride, or an asphalt stretch of the Capital City State Trail, handles wet weather better. Check current notices, then spend leftover time at a repair shop or rental card.
What not to ride in Dane County
Stewart Tunnel on the Badger State Trail: The DNR lists Stewart Tunnel as closed for construction through 2026, with a detour on Tunnel Road. Do not ride through. Check the DNR Badger page for the latest status, since the update we reviewed was dated May 6, 2026.
Class 2 motor use on DNR trails: DNR rules list only Class 1 and Class 3 as allowed with the motor engaged on state trails, below 15 mph. Class 2 with the motor on is not listed. If you ride a Class 2 on a DNR trail, leave the motor off.
Farm-field runoff north of Basco: The DNR posted a caution on May 21, 2026 about farm-field runoff on the Badger State Trail north of Basco. Wet or muddy sections are a poor fit for a heavy eBike. Check the DNR page for the current condition before you go.
Monona Bay detour area: City of Madison says Capital City Trail users have been detoured around Monona Bay. Follow detour signs rather than cutting through. Check the current city notice, since we cannot confirm the dates or route of the detour.
When to ride Dane County
The DNR says the Badger State Trail is open year-round, but surface conditions change with the weather. Crushed stone is better when dry. Asphalt on the Capital City State Trail is easier in wet weather. Summer afternoons can be hot, so carry water and plan shade stops. Weekends and fair days are likely to be busier on paths near Madison, so ride early if you want space. Construction notices and detours change, so check the DNR and city pages before each trip.
Wisconsin eBike laws and route permission
Wisconsin defines an electric bicycle in Wisconsin Statute 340.01(15ph) as a bicycle with fully operative pedals and a motor of 750 watts or less. The law sets three classes. A Class 1 eBike gives pedal assist only, and the assist stops at 20 mph. A Class 2 eBike may be powered by the motor alone, and the motor gives no assist at 20 mph. A Class 3 eBike gives pedal assist that stops at 28 mph. The same statute excludes electric bicycles from the definition of a motor vehicle.
Under Wisconsin Statute 346.806, an eBike has the same rights and duties as a bicycle. That covers roads and bike lanes. The statute also lets you ride with the motor on bikeways run by the DNR, a municipality, a county, or the DOT, subject to 349.18(4). That section lets a municipality or county ban motor use on bikeways it controls by ordinance. The DNR can do the same by rule. No one under 16 may operate a Class 3 eBike. A passenger is allowed on a Class 3 built for passengers. The sources we cite do not address sidewalks, so check local ordinances. The statute's history shows 2019 Wisconsin Act 34, and our sources list no pending change as of October 9, 2026.
Under 346.806, eBikes are not subject to the license, registration, title, or financial responsibility rules in chapters 341 to 344. You do not need a driver's license or plate to ride one. The sources we cite set no statewide helmet rule for eBikes. Our Wisconsin guide says there is no blanket helmet requirement for riders under 18. Wearing a helmet is still a smart habit on any eBike. For a plain-language summary, read our Wisconsin eBike laws guide.
State trails have their own rule. Under NR 45.05(3)(em), only Class 1 and Class 3 eBikes may be operated with the motor engaged on listed state trails and posted master-plan trails. Speed is limited to under 15 mph with the motor engaged. A Class 2 eBike with the motor engaged is not listed as allowed on DNR lands. The DNR may also post a trail as closed to eBikes. Per the DNR biking page, eBikes used without the motor engaged are allowed on all bicycle trails.
The DNR page lists e-bikes as allowed on Badger State Trail (40 miles, fee trail) and Capital City State Trail (17 miles of asphalt, fee trail). It also lists Hank Aaron State Trail, which needs no state trail pass. Riders 16 and older need a state trail pass on fee trails. Counties and municipalities can ban motor use on bikeways they control, so read the signs at each trailhead. Keep your eBike's label intact. Under 347.489(3m), the label shows class, cut-off speed, and wattage. If you modify the bike, it must be relabeled.
Dane County has no single eBike rule. Each manager sets its own. The DNR governs the state trail segments, the City of Madison its own paths, and Dane County Parks its parks. The City of Madison page we reviewed lists no citywide eBike class ban. State law lets a county or municipality ban motor use on bikeways under its control, so read posted signs.
Sources conflict on the Capital City State Trail length. Dane County Parks says it is now over 20 miles. The DNR table lists 17 miles of asphalt. We cannot tell which is current, so we show both. Pass rules also differ: Dane County says a state trail pass is required for ages 16 and up only on the Lewis Nine Springs E-way segment, from Nob Hill Road to Verona Road.
Some notices are time-limited. Stewart Tunnel on the Badger State Trail is closed through 2026, with a Tunnel Road detour, per the DNR's May 6, 2026 update. The DNR also posted a runoff caution north of Basco on May 21, 2026. Today is October 9, 2026, so confirm both on the DNR page before you ride. We found no date for the Monona Bay detour.
Frequently asked questions
Which Dane County trail is longest?
The Badger State Trail is 40 miles, per the DNR, with 6 asphalt and 34 crushed stone. It runs through Dane and Green counties. The Capital City State Trail is shorter, though sources disagree on how long: over 20 miles per Dane County Parks, 17 miles per the DNR.
Is the Capital City State Trail 17 or 20 miles?
The sources conflict. Dane County Parks says it is now over 20 miles. The DNR bicycle trails table lists 17 miles of asphalt. We show both. Check the manager map for the section you plan to ride.
Who manages the Capital City State Trail?
It is jointly managed by Dane County, the City of Madison, Fitchburg and the DNR. That means signs and rules can change between sections. State DNR limits apply on state segments, so read posted notices as you go.
Is the Stewart Tunnel open?
Not as of the DNR update we reviewed. The Badger State Trail's Stewart Tunnel is closed for construction through 2026, with a detour on Tunnel Road. The update was dated May 6, 2026, so check the DNR Badger page for current status.
Which eBike classes can use the motor on the Badger?
Class 1 and Class 3 may use the motor at speeds under 15 mph on listed DNR trails. Class 2 with the motor engaged is not listed as allowed. Without the motor engaged, eBikes are allowed on all bicycle trails, per the DNR.
Are there rental options in Madison?
Yes. Our listings include Madison BCycle stations, Trek Bicycle Madison West and Motorless Motion (MoMo) Bicycles. The City of Madison says BCycle has about 100 stations. Confirm eBike availability and pricing with each business.
Do I need to pay to ride the Badger State Trail?
The DNR lists it as a fee trail. A state trail pass is required for bicyclists 16 and older. Check the DNR Badger page for current pass details and where to buy one before you ride.
Can I ride the Cannonball Path on an eBike?
The City of Madison page we reviewed lists no citywide eBike class ban. State law lets cities and counties ban motors on their own bikeways, so follow posted signs. On any state trail segment it meets, DNR Class 1 and 3 limits apply.
All eBike shops in Dane County
Ready to shop or book a rental? Browse all Dane County eBike shops by city, with 52 listings in total.