Top Places to Ride Your eBike in Washington

Washington has been making significant strides in infrastructure development and the welfare of its residents since it became a state in 1889. With the current trends in environmental conservation, The Evergreen State has joined the rest of the world in curbing carbon emissions by allowing its residents the use of e-bikes. Washington even established the rules and regulations on how e-bike riders should operate within the state's borders. Unlike in other places across the world, riders do not need a license to operate an e-bike in Washington.

In Washington, anything with three or two wheels operating with an electric motor not exceeding 750 watts is considered an e-bike. Anyone can operate class one and two e-bikes in the state, but class 3 e-bikes are reserved for those over 16 years. This editorial will discuss all the top places to ride e-bikes in Washington.

Sammamish River Trail

Located along the Sammamish River, this trail is among the most popular e-bike riding destinations in King County. It covers approximately eleven miles of a smooth asphalt surface, ideal for recreational biking. For e-bikers who are nature lovers, the Sammamish River trail should be on top of their bucket list. It provides a serene view of the Sammamish River, expansive farmland, and far-off Rainier mountainous ranges. What's more? Wine enthusiasts can examine the finest wineries Woodinville offers since they are located a short distance off the trail.

The trail can be accessed from Blyth Park in Bothell and runs to Redmond's Marymoor Park. Unlike some of the major bike roads in Washington, the Sammamish trail is flat for the better part of its 11 miles. The combination of its asphalt surface and flatness makes it an all-weather e-bike road. The rail trail is wheelchair-friendly, meaning handicapped e-bikers can comfortably enjoy the Sammamish River Trail.

Centennial Trail

The centennial trail is located within the city limits of Snohomish. Locals and tourists know the city for its numerous parks, historical heritage, and communal recreation. For e-bike lovers visiting Washington, the paved 30.5 miles centennial trail is a must-go place. The trail opened to the public in 1989 when the state was commemorating its 100 years of existence. The trail has many access points, but the southern point in Snohomish city is commonly used. It is primarily a smooth flat road and extends up to the Skagit County border.

Cyclists using this route are treated to the best scenic views of Snohomish County. At first, a rider gets a therapeutic view of vast ranches, farmlands, and forested watersheds. Are you a fan of watching snow-capped mountains? All the rivers along the trail originate from the snowy Cascade Mountains that can be seen while riding. History buffs who double up as riders should try this paved route, as it is lined with old railroad settlements and storefronts that bring out that Wild West feel. Centennial trail spots a good parking lot and is lined with antique stores that are attractive to collectors.

Lopez Island

Lopez Island is the farthest to the east of the San Juan Islands. It is 15 miles long and boasts a 63-mile coastline. Have you ever dreamt of being off the grid, just you and your e-bike? With about 2,500 people, Lopez Island is the place to be. Lopez offers the best cycling experience compared to the other islands of San Juan. It is worth noting that Lopez takes e-bike riding seriously compared to other trails throughout Washington. In Lopez Island, you don't need to bring your e-bike—rentals are available in Village Cycles and the Lopez Bicycle Works.

The island is accessible via the interisland ferry that serves the Orcas and the San Juan Islands. Besides disconnecting from the busy urban lifestyles, e-bikers in Lopez are treated to a wide array of other activities. The farmers' markets have the best lemonade. Bird watching and marine life viewing at the Shark Reef Sanctuary are common. Additionally, the island has an annual non-competitive Tour de Lopez bicycle tournament held on the last Saturday of April. Lopez Island offers e-bikers rural and flat topography to enjoy their biking encounters.

Lake Washington Loop

As the name suggests, this bike trail encircles Lake Washington. The Lake Washington bike loop starts at Interstate 90 on the south side of the lake and ends at the I-90 lake bridge. It covers a sprawling 101.7 kilometers, suited for recreational and working-out cyclists. The long stretch of road comes with numerous scenic views accentuated with waterfront parks. The route passes through Kennydale Hill, whose crest offers a spectacular sight of the Renton Municipal Airport. Further north, there is a 3-mile road reserved for e-bikes only, especially on Sundays. And it houses Mt. Baker Rowing and Sailing Center if a cyclist feels the need to engage in watersports. 

There are many access points to the Lake Washington Bike Road Loop, but the best is through the Aubrey Davis Park on Mercer. It comes with ample parking and is accessible to wheelchair users. Apart from scenic views, the route is packed with fauna ranging from beavers ducks to swans and herons. One can occasionally take a break from the long ride and feed ducks along the way. Due to the climbs found on the trail, fitness e-bikers and racers should make a date to ride on the south Washington Lake bike road.

Seattle Urban Loop

Apart from being the largest city in Washington, Seattle tops the list of the most bike-friendly cities in the Evergreen State. For every five miles of streets, e-bikers in Seattle get a mile of their own for riding. There is no better way to explore the city of Seattle for cyclists than using this 30-mile stretch of the bike trail. It gives users the much-coveted urban ride experience absent from most major cities worldwide. The route has climbs and descents suitable for leisure and fitness riding. 

Along the Seattle Urban Bike loop, e-bikers are in for a treat. Firstly, the road passes through Washington, Viretta, and Discovery parks, where cyclists get the best of Mother Nature. The National Nordic Museum is smack in the middle of the bike route for history lovers. In addition to all this, the Seattle waterfront is accessible via this route. The Seattle Urban Bike Loop has a smooth asphalt surface for the entirety of its length.

Bainbridge Island

Bainbridge is an island city west of Seattle in Kitsap County, Washington. Like its counterpart, Lopez, Bainbridge provides cyclists with the best hassle-free e-bike experience. The easiest way to access Bainbridge is by ferry from the Colman dock in Seattle. Visiting this lovely island by car should be avoided. Once there, biking is commonplace, and even without one, you can rent. In addition to the many e-bike friendly alleys in Bainbridge, a 35-mile bike loop surrounds the island.

Riding around the island gives cyclists a glimpse of all the goodies Bainbridge has including wineries and distilleries to breweries. For e-bikers looking for a challenge, Baker Hill, Koura, and Toe Jam Hill roads are well known for their steep climbs that bikers find thrilling. The island is home to the Cascade Bicycle Club, which organizes the Chilly Hilly 33-mile biking event. The Chilly Hilly aims to raise funds to make Washington an e-bike friendly state. For those who like riding for a cause, Bainbridge Island is the place to be.

Snoqualmie Valley trail

Located in King County along the Snoqualmie River, the trail has an extended length of 31.7 miles. The gravel-paved route stretches from McCormick Park to Rattlesnake Lake within North Bend. Loutsis Park in Carnation or Duvall's McCormick Park are the best places to enter the trail. The Snoqualmie valley trail is relatively flat with only a few climbs, befitting most cyclists' preferences. The trail attracts approximately 1.5 million visitors annually, who come to see the 268-feet Snoqualmie falls. Past the falls, mount Si becomes visible, giving the cyclists a breathtaking view. At the tail end of the trail, e-bikers get a scenic view of rolling blueberry bushes that is only rivaled by the site of the River Snoqualmie pouring into Lake Rattlesnake.

Wrapping Up

Of the fifty states of the USA, Washington ranks first when it comes to biking. As stated earlier, the state's largest city is among the most bike-friendly in the world. For any avid e-biker, a trip to the state of Washington is worth your while.