E-Bikes Pennsylvania: Where Can I Ride?
From the ever-changing beauty of the Delaware River to the rugged mountains of the Appalachians, Pennsylvania's landscape is diverse and breathtaking.
You can wander through forests, explore waterfalls, go white-water rafting, see the beautiful fall foliage, and visit exciting historical sites — all in one day, if you want to!
Learn how to see Pennsylvania by e-bike, including local rules and regulations to be mindful of.
Know what you’re looking for? Jump ahead!
What Are The Best E-Bike Trails And Parks In Pennsylvania?
Are E-Bikes Legal In Pennsylvania?
Are There E-Bike Incentive Programs In Pennsylvania?
What Are The Best E-Bike Trails and Parks In Pennsylvania?
From urban trails to serene natural landscapes, there’s a trail for every kind of ride in Pennsylvania. Here are some of our favorites.
Pine Creek Rail Trail
A picturesque section of the Pine Creek Rail Trail runs adjacent to the creek. Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
Why We Love It
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so we’ll start by directing you back to the picture above … just look at that scenery!
The Pine Creek Trail runs through the beautiful Tiadaghtan State Forest, which spans more than 145,000 acres (225+ square miles) across 5 counties.
The trail runs 62 miles through the Pine Creek Gorge, which is also known as the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania. Despite the steep sound of that, the trail is relatively flat. Those who love the peaceful sounds of babbling creeks will be happy to know that you ride alongside the creek for all but 7 of those miles!
When To Visit
The trail is open roughly dawn to dusk, all year round.
Specifically, you’re welcome to access it up to 30 minutes before sunrise and up to 30 minutes after sunset. (When riding at dawn and dusk, don’t forget to turn on your headlights and taillights and wear safe reflective gear!)
Which E-Bike Classes Are Allowed?
Only Class 1 e-bikes are permitted on the Pine Creek Rail Trail.
Class 2 and 3 e-bikes are prohibited here, as well as on all other trails and roads in Pennsylvania state forests.
Great Allegheny Passage (GAP)
The Great Allegheny Passage is a fantastic place to see Pennsylvania show off its beautiful fall colors. Image Source: Unsplash
Why We Love It
The Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) spans 150 miles between downtown Pittsburgh and Cumberland, Maryland. Those looking for an even bigger adventure can take the connecting C&O Canal Towpath all the way to Washington D.C.!
Ample camping opportunities and lodging in towns along the trail make long-haul trips convenient.
You’ll pass through mountains and valleys, see waterfalls and farmland, and catch glimpses of 3 beautiful rivers on your journey. The path is made of e-bike-friendly materials: mostly limestone, with some paved sections.
There is some elevation gain, but it takes place slowly over many miles, making it a great option for riders of all fitness levels.
The GAP was the very first trail inducted into the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy’s Rail-Trail Hall of Fame. It receives about a million visitors annually — but don’t let that deter you from taking this beautiful journey!
When To Visit
Most of the trail is open all year! Just be mindful of weather conditions when planning your trip.
One exception: the Big Savage Tunnel (between Meyersdale, PA and Frostburg, MD) is closed from early December to early April. There is no easy detour.
So, if you want to travel this section of the trail, you’ll need to plan your trip for sometime between late April and late November.
Which E-Bike Classes Are Allowed?
All e-bike classes are allowed if they meet the following criteria:
Max. 750W motor
Max. e-bike weight 100 lbs
Max. 36” width (so be mindful of the size of your panniers, trailers, etc.)
Must have fully operable pedals
No internal combustion engine (no fuel, such as on motorcycles)
Ghost Town Trail
Auld’s Run is a stream you’ll encounter near the Heshbon Trailhead on the e-bike-friendly Ghost Town Trail. Image Source: Flickr
Why We Love It
This 46-mile limestone trail runs through 2 counties in Pennsylvania: Indiana and Cambria counties. Established in 1991 with just 16 miles of abandoned railroad, the trail grew incrementally over the years until reaching its full length in 2005.
The trail isn’t flat, with an elevation gain of 1000ft. However, this gain is very gradual, making this a relatively easy ride.
You’ll encounter streams (like Auld’s Run pictured above), woods, wetlands, and old coal mines and mining towns along the trail.
It was even named the 2020 Pennsylvania Trail of the Year!
When To Visit
There are no posted hours for the Ghost Town Trail, so we recommend planning your visit between dawn and dusk and checking the weather forecast before you head out.
Which E-Bike Classes Are Allowed?
Only Class 1 e-bikes are allowed on the Ghost Town Trail.
Both Cambria and Indiana counties list the following restrictions:
Max. 750W motor
Max. assisted speed 20 mph
Max. e-bike weight 100 lbs
Min. 11” diameter wheels
Must have fully operable pedals
E-bikes must follow the same rules as a traditional bicycle
No internal combustion engine (no fuel, such as on motorcycles)
Are E-Bikes Legal In Pennsylvania?
Yes! While Pennsylvania doesn’t officially recognize the standard 3 e-bike classes, that doesn’t mean all e-bikes are illegal in the state.
In PA, e-bikes are defined as “pedalcycles with electric assist.” They’re subject to the following restrictions:
750W maximum motor size
20 mph maximum throttle/pedal-assisted speed on flat surfaces
100 lbs limit on the weight of any electric bike
Operable pedals required
No riders under age 16
Class 3 e-bikes (maximum assisted speeds of 28 mph, above the state-permitted 20 mph) can only ride on paths adjacent to highways or roadways — no multi-use paths or trails.
And when it comes to state park regulations:
In state parks, Class 1 e-bikes are allowed anywhere traditional bikes are
All other e-bikes are restricted to motorized trails only
Read more on e-bike regulations.
E-bikes must have operable pedals in PA. Pictured: Magnum Metro 750
Do I Need a Driver’s License For E-Bikes In Pennsylvania?
PA doesn’t require a driver’s license, registration, or insurance for e-bikes.
Just make sure your e-bike meets the criteria listed above!
Are There E-Bike Incentive Programs In Pennsylvania?
Unfortunately, we haven’t heard of any electric bike incentive programs in Pennsylvania at the time we’re writing this. But with so many states participating, we hope PA gets on board soon!
To see if there are active programs in your area, check out the resources in Magnum’s post on e-bike incentives.
Where Can I Find Magnum Bikes In Pennsylvania?
You can find Magnum Bikes in over a dozen authorized dealers across Pennsylvania.
We also have more than 250 authorized dealers and flagship stores around the United States.
See our complete list of Magnum Authorized Dealers in Pennsylvania.
Presque Isle State Park is located in Erie, PA — just one of over a dozen cities with Magnum authorized dealers. Image Source: Unsplash
E-Bikes Pennsylvania FAQs
Here are common questions people ask about e-bikes in PA.
Are E-Bikes Allowed On Rail Trails In Pennsylvania?
Rail trails are among the most e-bike-friendly trail types in Pennsylvania.
In addition to the trails we listed in this post, Class 1 e-bikes are allowed on any Pennsylvania DCNR (Department of Conservation & Natural Resources) trails where regular bicycles are allowed.
The Perkiomen Trail or “Perky” is another popular Pennsylvania Rail Trail. Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
Are Class 3 E-Bikes Legal in PA?
Class 3 e-bikes can be ridden on paths adjacent to highways or roadways in PA.
They are not allowed on most multi-use paths or trails where regular bicycles are permitted.
They may still fall under the statewide motor-assisted speed limit of 20 mph for all e-bikes.
What Class Of E-Bikes Are Legal in PA?
While no classes of e-bikes are fully illegal in Pennsylvania, there is a statewide speed limit of 20 mph for all e-bikes. E-bikes must also have fully operable pedals, a maximum motor size of 750W, and a maximum bike weight of 100 lbs.
E-bike use is not permitted for any riders under the age of 16.
Ready to ride, Pennsylvania?
