Biking
For more information about our biking programs, please contact the Recreation Coordinator at (510) 544-2553.
For the biking enthusiast, the East Bay Regional Park District has everything from paved flat paths passing by schools, business and shopping centers, parks and other recreation areas to remote backcountry trails for more advanced mountain bikers. Many of the East Bay Regional Park District’s 1,250 miles of trails are open to bikes. Bikes are allowed on most multi-use (wide) trails and prohibited on most narrow trails. See Bicycle Loop Brochures.
Biking Programs
The Outdoor Recreation Department provides public biking programs touring our beautiful parks and trails in a fun group setting. Join Recreation staff on a weekend ride and learn basic bike maintenance, bike safety, and safe group riding skills. Some rides include a naturalist. Register for one of our public programs.
The Outdoor Recreation Department provides affordable biking field trips for schools and community organizations. Our knowledgeable and engaging Recreation staff provide the bikes, helmets, and gear. They meet your group at the park, and provide a safe and organized trip through our beautiful Regional Parks and Trails. These trips are on paved and relatively flat trails and some roads. Trips can range from 1.5 to 3 hours; costs vary, depending on group size and duration. Participants must be at least 5′ tall and know how to ride a bike. We can accommodate up to 20 total riders. However, we can accommodate larger groups if we split into two rotations. information and to apply for Field Trips.
The Park District maintains good working relationships with the Bicycle Trails Council East Bay (BTCEB), and the East Bay Bicycle Coalition. Our volunteer trail safety patrol has a bicycle division that promotes safe and responsible riding. When planning a bike route, be sure to do a little research. Some parks do not allow bikes or have limited access and some routes can be extremely challenging. Also, not all trails or trailheads have water, so come prepared. For guidance, be sure to check out our Paved Trails Section and Mountain Bike Trail Best Picks. Each park brochure has a trail map that shows where biking is permitted. Visit 511.org Bicycling for bicycling trip planning, and transit resources.
eBikes
As of March 3, 2019, Class I and II eBikes are allowed on select park trails: Alameda Creek Trail (paved only), Big Break Trail, Contra Costa Canal Trail, Delta De Anza Trail, George Miller Trail, Iron Horse Trail, Lafayette Moraga Trail, and Marsh Creek Trail.
Paved Regional TrailsFind paved trails in the Park District
Mountain Bike TrailsFind mountain bike trails in the Park District
Biking Rules and GuidelinesRead about biking rules and guidelines for safe and responsible riding
No Biking AreasFind out parks, trails, and locations where biking is prohibited
Volunteer Bicycle Patrol A volunteer trail safety patrol group for the East Bay Regional Park District
EBParks.org/Register Browse classes, programs, activities and register online
511.org BicyclingBicycling trip planning and transit resources
Thursday Night Fun Ride
Meet at the shop at 8pm for an 8:30pm roll out. Anywhere from 10-25 miles at a social, casual pace, no drop, or roughly 2 hours of riding. Some Summer nights will garner 75 riders! Discover new and old parts of the city and stick around for post-ride refreshments after hours at Mello Velo Cafe. Don’t forget your bike lights!
Sunday Coffee Outside (every 2nd 4th week)
Join us for a different adventure each week. Plan for a 2-3 hour ride, which will vary each week.- road, dirt, singletrack.- check our social media for guidance on choosing your steed. One thing’s for certain, there will be coffee. outside. Pack your stove, coffee, and brewing supplies, and don’t forget your cup!
The Erie Canal Trail. Great interactive map to plan a trip all the way from Buffalo to Albany! There are several great local stretches along the flat, partially paved towpath. Perfect for building confidence on bike, or for taking the kids or dog along for some exercise. Closest access from the City is at Butternut Creek Aqueduct. Venture Went to the Camillus Erie Canal Park and visit with the shop cat at the olde general store!
Onondaga Lake Parkway / Onondaga Lake Western Extension. Another mostly flat, mostly paved, family-friendly multi-use trail that partially circumvents Onondaga Lake (roughly 22 miles) through Syracuse city and Liverpool. Maintained very well in Winter if you’re looking for a snow-free path.
Inner Harbor Creekwalk. Well paved and marked multi-use 2.6 mile trail completely in the city, connecting Armory Square downtown to Onondaga Lake. Great for a lazy day putz around, complete with multiple coffee shop pitstops along the way. You can even take the Creekwalk to Destiny USA, if a shopping spree or movie marathon is on the agenda. Also maintained very well in Winter, but during rainy seasons, portions of the trail in Franklin Square may be closed due to flooding.
Green Lakes State Park. The main park is a family favorite, with a swimming area, playground, and stroller-friendly trails circling the gorgeous Green Lake and Round Lake in the Fayetteville-Manlius suburb. Beginner-friendly doubletrack MTB trails abound in the rest of the park—join us for our Monday shop ride and explore!
Great Bear Recreational Area. A great mix of singletrack, doubletrack, and fire roads located between Fulton and Phoenix—perfect for tuning your MTB skills. Well-marked 5k and 10k trail running loops will even accommodate a single-wide jogging stroller. Bring a fishing pole, a picnic, and even the dog—the area is fenced and off-leash friendly.
Skytop Rock Quarry. Technically private property (so we didn’t tell you to go there!), with rocky, aggressive trails that connect to Clarks Reservation in Jamesville (which technically does not allow MTB). Park at the church on Schoolhouse Rd. or access the trail through concrete barriers by Syracuse Research Facility at the top of Syracuse University South Campus.
Split Rock Quarry. Another one of those technically private property, so we didn’t tell you to go there spots. A mix of wooded singletrack, dirt bike trails, and old quarry detritus. Beware of Posted signs, park in one of the neighborhood streets with designated on-street parking, and ride to the trail. Look for access at concrete road blocks at the end of Ottman Rd. (off Whedon Rd.) in Camillus.
Bear Swamp State Forest. A mix of slightly overgrown XC trails which you’ll surely get a workout on, and ATV/horse trails with beautiful scenery. Located in Moravia, at the southern tip of Skaneateles Lake.
Highland Forest County Park. Home of our annual cyclocross race, Syracross! Over 20 miles of maintained MTB trails located in Fabius. Great for XC skiing in Winter too, with rentals available at the Lodge.
Morgan Hill State Forest. Located on the Onondaga-Cortland County borders near Labrador Hollow, this area has many developing trails. Singletrack, power lines, and even sections for downhill/ freeride.
Shindagin Hollow State Forest. Lots of cool features and elevation changes—definitely worth the drive to the Ithaca area for more advanced mountain bikers.
Local Cycling Groups
Onondaga Cycling Club. Multiple weekly rides for cyclists of all levels, and a wonderful group to ride with. If you’re looking for a route, their website has an excellent ride map library with road cue sheets, which include distance and elevation.
CNY D.I.R.T Bust out your shovels and get dirty with trail building and maintenance, plus get out and ride with a great group of people who know the local trails!
Syracuse University Cycling Club. During the University semester, you might be able to tag along on a training ride!
Syracuse University Outing Club. Become a member of SU Outing Club and have access to the E-Room’s fleet of Kona mountain bikes. If you’re an SU or ESF student, or even an Old Timer, make lifelong memories and friends by joining SUOC on their weekly outdoor trips. Who knows, you might even meet the love of your life, open a bike shop together, get married, and start a family!
CNY Triathlon Club. If triathlon is your thing, meet up with other local athletes for training, racing, and beyond!
BikeCNY. Get involved with bicycle advocacy in Syracuse and petition for bicycle infrastructure! Monthly meetings open to all.
Holiday Valley Mountain Bike Trails
To ride up the mountain, the 4-5 mile MB1 starts at Sky High, heads down to the Holiday Valley Training Center then climbs gradually to the top of Cindy’s. With fun ridgeline trails on MB2, to loamy switchbacks down Yodeler and Chute on MB3 you’ll be sure to find plenty of trails for most all riders. A new easier trail, MB4, takes you from Spruce Lake down through the pines of Tannenbaum back to Sky High. At the top of Eagle or Tannenbaum you can venture out across the logging roads south of the Valley and on to the 35 miles of WNYMBA trails in McCarty Hill State Forest.
An excellent map of mountain biking in the area has been prepared by WNYMBA. Copies are available at Sky High Bike Rentals and at the Ellicottville Bike and Bean in Ellicottville for 10. Proceeds benefit WNYMBA and their trail building projects. Ellicottville Bike Shop. 11 Martha St, Ellicottville, (716) 699-BIKE.
Mountain Biking Safety
Please remember these common sense rules. wear a helmet and ride with a friend. The trails are not regularly patrolled; you are responsible for your own safety. In case of an emergency call 716-699-2345. Please note for the safety of riders and others at the resort, bikes must be walked in the Sky High base area and are not permitted on the golf course. The Sky High base area is roped off and signage is posted.
Your Responsibility Code
Riders in front of you have the right of way.
Don’t stop in the middle of the trail.
Look before merging onto a trail.
Learn how to operate your pedal or e-Bike before you start on the trails.
The motor systems of the e-mountainbikes on test, their features, and functions at a glance
When buying an e-mountainbike, you don’t just decide on a bike, i.e. the frame, but also on a motor ecosystem and software, which has a significant influence on the performance and handling of your bike. Nevertheless, the drive unit can only be as good as the bike it’s in, and how well it suits your specific requirements. Do you want the battery to be permanently integrated or removable, should it be as big as possible, or would you rather a smaller capacity with the option of an external range extender? Besides that, there are numerous aspects that go far beyond the hardware of the motor, with many systems now providing a vast array of options. These include customisable or progressive support modes, additional features such as digital immobilisers with an alarm, GPS tracking, range-based navigation, assistance that’s linked to your heart rate, or gamified ride data that tracks things like airtime. There are countless options available, and they will continue to grow, so it’s good to have an overview and be aware of what you want from your bike. While newly introduced technologies are state-of-the-art, they often suffer from teething issues. Large established brands usually have a reliable and well-established service network, so you can easily get help when you’ve got trouble with your motor, but they often take fewer risks during development than smaller or more agile players might do. Fortunately, software updates can be used to expand the range of functions or remedy bugs in retrospect, even when the bike’s been in your possession for a long time.
The products offered by large, established brands are usually aimed at the masses, so they don’t necessarily meet your individual requirements. The same applies to custom solutions such as the touch display in the Forestal or the charging port integrations on the Specialized. Practical and individual solutions such as these are usually reserved for bike companies that are involved in the development of the motor instead of sourcing closed systems with technical limitations. However, custom solutions can cause durability issues or lead to difficulty in procuring spare parts. Manufacturers of bikes, components and motors must work hand in hand to offer a complete package. Due to the wide range of systems that are now available on the market, this aspect has improved greatly, increasingly allowing brands to tailor bikes to your individual needs. Nevertheless, the development of an ebike is vastly more complex than that of its analogue counterpart. The large selection of components and rapidly developing industry only serve to complicate matters even more.
That’s why it’s vital to not just consider an e-mountainbikes performance and functionality on the trail, but also its secondary aspects.
Note: with such Rapid development, the market is constantly being flooded with new software updates and accessories such as range extenders. Much of it solves problems or extends the field of application. However, as we’ve seen in the past, this can also create new problems. So, we wrote this article for you based on current information as it stands in March 2023.
Below, you will find an overview of all the motor systems featured in this group test.
Smart System and CX Race – The 2023 Bosch Performance Line CX motor system
The Bosch Performance Line CX system is the top dog among the motors in our group test, featured in 10 of the 30 bikes on test. All of them rely on the Smart System, introduced in 2021, which lends the proven Performance Line CX motor a smarter infrastructure and provides a basis for upcoming features and developments. While the motor has remained largely the same, apart from a few minor hardware adjustments, the ecosystem consisting of the remotes and displays has been completely revised and the old wiring harness also gave way to a new, optimised version. Unfortunately, the Smart System upgrade isn’t backwards compatible with your old Bosch motor, though it’s become standard on new bikes.
The motor still produces 85 Nm of torque with a maximum assistance of 340% in TURBO mode. But beware: some of the bikes on test rely on the CX Race motor. It’s the twin brother of the Performance Line CX motor, just with a gym membership. Thanks to adapted software, the CX Race motor provides assistance of up to 400% with the same 85 Nm of torque. But nothing on the hardware has changed, except for slightly optimised internals.
How and where did we test the e-mountainbikes
We admit it: this group test didn’t just consist of superlatives (30 hot bikes!), but also of lived dreams, not to mention blood, tired legs, late-night debates, intensive repairs, and charging until the solar grid collapsed and the generator gave up. And what for? For all-day epics, for putting the bikes through the wringer, and simply because it’s fun! For the core of the test session, we spent a full two weeks with ten riders on a secluded finca with a stunning view of the trails, sun, and sea on the horizon. The fact that we didn’t want to kill each other during those 14 days with such a high concentration of testosterone is a miracle on its own, and it’s a testament to the crew – certainly, the daily test rides until sunset and cooking and dining together every evening also helped. If we didn’t test bikes full-time, we could probably open a restaurant – yum!
If you’re wondering where we were: about an hour’s drive northeast of Barcelona, in Santa Coloma de Farners, where we found the perfect conditions to conduct a group test as big as this. The town has a huge and still rather unknown trail centre – at least in the international scene – with countless trails. Dry, sandy, and peppered with rock slabs and roots, it was the perfect place to push the bikes to their limits. Our chosen test track – a combination of “Dragon Khan” and “La Llosa” – features rock slabs with a sandpaper like surface, roots, flowing berms, and loose, sandy corners. The climb to the trailhead almost had a bit of everything you can possibly expect: wide gravel paths with potholes that would almost catapult you over the bars if you weren’t alert because your caffeine level had dropped. Flowing sections alternating with rough and sandy routes, to technical climbs that our bikes only just got up. So, if you feel like going somewhere other than Italy for a change and are looking for fine trails without shuttles, you will find everything your heart desires at Santa Coloma de Farners.
Our e-mountainbike group test in numbers
Although numbers don’t have feelings, they can give you a good feeling for tendencies and trends. Here are some exciting, interesting, and fun facts, figures, and statistics.
Things that broke during our tests:
- 1 derailleur hanger torn off
- 1 display broke
- 3 chains snapped
- 3 tires punctured
- 1 Shimano brake lever broke
- 3 FAZUA bikes had difficulties starting up
- 1 FAZUA bike was defective
- 1 Shimano bike was defective
- 1 TQ display gave up
- 3 skid plates broke
- 1 aluminium crank bent
- 1 brake lever broke
- 5 charging ports torn off
- 2 grips broke
The e-mountainbikes on test:
- 30 bikes in the test field
- € 15,999: the most expensive bike on test, the SCOTT Lumen eRide 900 SL
- € 6,699: the most affordable bike on test, the BULLS SONIC EVO EN-SL1
- 23 of the bikes roll on 29″ wheels
- 7 of the bikes roll on 29″/27.5″ mullet wheels
- the bikes weigh 22.1 kg on average
- the lightest bike weighs 16.0 kg, and it’s also the most expensive bike
- the heaviest bike weighs 27.1 kg
- the smallest battery is 250 Wh
- the biggest battery is 800 Wh
- the weakest motor produces 40 Nm of torque
- the most powerful motor puts out 95 Nm
What should you look for when buying an e-mountainbike?
Before you splash out your hard-earned cash on a new e-mountainbike only to realise that you made the wrong choice, you should ask yourself a few basic questions. Most bikes can only live up to their full potential if they’re used as intended and, by default, you’ll only be happy if you find a bike that suits your needs and riding style.
It all comes down to the overall concept
Many prospective buyers want to know which is the right e-mountainbike or the best motor, but this is just like the 29” vs 27.5” wheel size debate (just slightly more complex): the best motor is only as good as the e-mountainbike it is part of. Conversely, an e-mountainbike is only as good as the way the motor supports and complements the bike’s character. Compared to analogue mountain bikes, this makes matters much more complex, because manufacturers have to take into account more factors, like the integration of the battery and motor, and the weight distribution of heavy components, which must harmonise with one another in order to offer a coherent package with supposedly contradictory characteristics.
New possibilities on the horizon
Spending all day in nature? Exploring new areas and trails? Tired after a long day at the office? Or simply want to take your kids for a spin in the trailer without spitting out your lungs on the first climb? An e-mountainbike might be exactly what you’re looking for, and at the same time ensures top riding fun on the trail.
A massive battery doesn’t necessarily mean more range!
Just because an e-mountainbike has a big battery, it doesn’t mean that it will take you further than one with a smaller battery. Battery capacity must always be considered in relation to the motor’s power, and as such its power consumption. You may get just as far or even further from a less powerful bike with a smaller battery, though with less support, so it’ll take longer or require more effort on your part.
torque ≠ more power on the trail!
While many of the e-mountainbikes in this test field share similar torque values, they’re totally different on the trail in terms of power delivery. Simply put, an e-mountainbike is far more than sheer numbers and torque values, which, unfortunately, say very little about a bike’s performance when considered in isolation. The Bosch Performance Line CX-Race is the perfect example, showing how much difference a simple software tweak can make on the trail. While technically it’s almost identical to the conventional Performance Line CX motor, churning out 85 Nm torque, the tweaked software ensures a stronger, more abrupt power delivery, transferring more power to the ground at lower and lighter rider inputs. The Shimano EP8 motor also has 85 Nm torque, but can’t keep up with either version of the Bosch CX motor despite sharing the same values on paper. The same goes for the limited Shimano EP801 RS, FAZUA Ride 60 and Bafang EonDrive, all of which deliver 60 Nm of torque, but behave completely differently on the trail. The optimal cadence range – i.e. the range at which the motor delivers its power most efficiently – varies enormously from drive to drive, and on top of that many of the motors in this test don’t cope well with pedalling cadences below 60 rpm, at which they deliver very little power while at the same time consuming huge amounts of energy. As you can see, there’s much more to e-mountainbikes than sheer numbers, and the overall performance can only be determined on the trail.
What questions should you ask yourself before buying an emountainbike?
How much battery capacity do you really need?
Where You Can and Should Ride in San Diego
You probably didn’t just come to this page for a lecture in e-bike laws, so let’s hit the trails! There are plenty of options for e-MTB riders in San Diego. Let’s check out a few.
This is my top choice for electric mountain bikes in San Diego. There is plenty of open space, trails varying in difficulty, and a great community of welcoming mountain bikers. There are a few trails closed to cyclists, so make sure to pay attention to signage.
The park is accessible from the 805, 5 and the 15 making it super easy to find no matter where you’re coming from. This site has great information on how to access different parts of the park. He also links you to an very helpful topographic map of the area’s routes.
There is a lot of exploring necessary to find the best trails. Don’t be fooled by the easiest to access trails, as there are many more trails to explore deeper into the park!
Black Mountain is a bit more intense than Los Penasquitos. It’s also a bit easier to get lost in, but it is one of the best mountain biking open spaces in the area. You can find super detailed route info here (by the way, big shout out to Mountain Bike Bill). I like Black Mountain because there is a solid amount of climbing, so you get to the most out of your e-MTB.
On weekdays this trail stays pretty open, making it ideal for those looking for a short, after-work ride. You can also make a full day of it by connecting a few of the trails into one long ride. Make sure to bring water. This area doesn’t provide much shade!
This is a beautiful park with some killer single track trails that are open to electric mountain bikes. It’s important to remember on these single track trails that pedestrians, animals, and traditional mountain bikers are also using them, so please ride with good etiquette (see below)!
There is a pretty useful map provided by the park service here. I’d also check out this website for some really detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to access the most fun sections of trail.
Lake Poway offers a number of miles of excellent trails for riders between beginner and intermediate skill levels. The wide roads might not interest extremely experienced riders, but there are a few single track offshoots that make it a great area for seeing if you’re ready for the next level.
Lake Poway is easy to access (just off the 15). This easy accessibility makes it a popular spot for hikers as well, so please make sure you are yielding to others, and that you’re generally alert. We don’t want to lose access to this great beginner trail!
General Trail Etiquette
e-MTB users should always be especially considerate when riding on multi-use trails. Electric mountain biking is still very new, and many people (especially traditional mountain bikers) have a bias against the use of e-MTBs. This isn’t just because they’re jealous of your awesome electric bike. Mountain biking groups are in a constant battle, fighting trail closures and keeping good relationships with land owners. The idea that new technology could potentially make that more difficult is frustrating. Here’s how to practice good e-MTB etiquette.
Mountain bikers should always yield to hikers, equestrians, and others. Electric mountain bikers should also be yielding to traditional mountain bikers because of you will likely be going faster. Speaking of speed, make sure you are always in control of your bike. Going too fast is dangerous for you and others on the trail. Also, if you bought your e-MTB to cut new trails and go too fast, you might be in it for the wrong reasons. Ease up around blind corners and always let potential traffic know you are coming. If another mountain biker is struggling up a climb, make sure to give him or her plenty of room as you pass. People tend to wobble a bit on steep climbs. There is nothing worse than having to work through a tough climb while is someone getting in your way.
Also a general etiquette reminder (hopefully it’s obvious): classic “pack it in, pack it out” rules apply. Don’t litter! If you’re someone who enjoys the outdoor experience, don’t spoil it for others by leaving your mess behind.
Gray Areas
Of course, there are always going to gray areas. As a general rule, if you feel like you shouldn’t be on a certain trail, just don’t go on it! It’s not worth a couple hundred dollar ticket and the potential argument with other mountain bikers. If you do decide you just have to try that trail, the best course of action is to contact the land owner before riding. Ask him/her what class of mountain bike is allowed on the trails. If he/she doesn’t know what you mean, just ask if e-Bikes are allowed.
One of the most confusing signs on mountain biking trails is the sign above. Of course, electric bikes technically do have motors. Generally, these signs are referring to cars, ATVs, motorcyles, scooters, and other gas motored vehicles. Remember, state law says that class 1 and 2 e-bikes are allowed anywhere regular bikes are unless SPECIFICALLY prohibited. To me, this is not specifically saying no electric bikes, so I’d continue. But, again, if you have concerns, then contact the landowner, park ranger, or ask around.