Best Bike Routes and Riding Rules in Long Beach, CA

For Long Beach bike routes, start with Los Angeles River Bikeway, Mark Bixby Memorial Bicycle-Pedestrian Path, and San Gabriel River Trail South. This guide highlights named corridors with route profiles, map links, and e-bike class notes in the route cards.

City-specific riding context Includes statewide legal summary

Where to Ride E-Bikes in Long Beach, California (Routes & Maps)

State trail-access baseline: California generally treats compliant e-bikes like bicycles, but local agencies and land managers can restrict e-bike use on sidewalks, trails, parks, and other facilities. Class 3 e-bikes face more access limits than...

Los Angeles River Bikeway

17.7 mi · +290 ft

Los Angeles River Bikeway gives Long Beach riders a street-and-bike-lane corridor with a route profile of 17.7 mi and +290 ft of climbing. Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 e-bikes fit the on-street bicycle portions of this route under California's current e-bike framework.

Open Map

Mark Bixby Memorial Bicycle-Pedestrian Path

2.1 mi · +90 ft

Mark Bixby Memorial Bicycle-Pedestrian Path gives Long Beach riders a shared-use bicycle route with a route profile of 2.1 mi and +90 ft of climbing. Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes fit this shared-use bicycle route under California's current e-bike framework; Class 3 is not the planning baseline for this path-style route.

Open Map

San Gabriel River Trail South

12.7 mi · +210 ft

San Gabriel River Trail South gives Long Beach riders a shared-use bicycle route with a route profile of 12.7 mi and +210 ft of climbing. Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes fit this shared-use bicycle route under California's current e-bike framework; Class 3 is not the planning baseline for this path-style route.

Open Map

Shoreline Pedestrian Bikepath

3.2 mi · +100 ft

Shoreline Pedestrian Bikepath gives Long Beach riders a shared-use bicycle route with a route profile of 3.2 mi and +100 ft of climbing. Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes fit this shared-use bicycle route under California's current e-bike framework; Class 3 is not the planning baseline for this path-style route.

Open Map

El Dorado Park Bike Path

0.3 mi · +10 ft

El Dorado Park Bike Path gives Long Beach riders a shared-use bicycle route with a route profile of 0.3 mi and +10 ft of climbing. Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes fit this shared-use bicycle route under California's current e-bike framework; Class 3 is not the planning baseline for this path-style route.

Open Map

Santa Ana River Trail

22.3 mi · +130 ft

Santa Ana River Trail gives Long Beach riders a shared-use bicycle route with a route profile of 22.3 mi and +130 ft of climbing. Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes fit this shared-use bicycle route under California's current e-bike framework; Class 3 is not the planning baseline for this path-style route.

Open Map

Queensway Bay Bike Path

9.2 mi · +250 ft

Queensway Bay Bike Path gives Long Beach riders a shared-use bicycle route with a route profile of 9.2 mi and +250 ft of climbing. Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes fit this shared-use bicycle route under California's current e-bike framework; Class 3 is not the planning baseline for this path-style route.

Open Map

Santa Ana River Trail Orange County Segment

0.9 mi · +170 ft

Santa Ana River Trail Orange County Segment gives Long Beach riders a shared-use bicycle route with a route profile of 0.9 mi and +170 ft of climbing. Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes fit this shared-use bicycle route under California's current e-bike framework; Class 3 is not the planning baseline for this path-style route.

Open Map

Service & Maintenance

Check with your trusted local bike shop for assembly and maintenance. Ariel Rider support can help answer any questions about our bikes in Long Beach, California.

State Law - California

Need the statewide breakdown? California e-bike registration, license, helmet, and class law.

Do I need a license, registration, or insurance in California?

Yes for at least one requirement in this state.

License: No. In California, Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 e-bikes that meet the state definition are not treated as motor vehicles, so a driver's license is not required. If the bike is modified beyond class limits (for example, higher motor power or motor assistance above the class speed cap), it can be regulated as a moped or motorcycle with licensing requirements.

Registration: No. California does not require registration or license plates for properly classified e-bikes. A converted or overpowered e-bike that no longer fits the class definition may need to be titled and registered as a motor vehicle under state law.

Insurance: No. Compliant e-bikes in California are generally not subject to mandatory auto liability insurance. If your e-bike is treated as a moped or motorcycle because it exceeds class limits, insurance requirements may apply just like other motor vehicles.

Do I need a helmet in California?

Helmet rules depend on age and class.

California requires helmets for Class 3 e-bike riders and passengers. Other statewide bicycle helmet rules may still apply by rider age or local rule.

Are throttle e-bikes legal in California?

Usually yes, with class-based limits and local exceptions.

Are throttles legal on e-bikes in California? Class 2: Yes. Class 1 & 3: No. In California, throttles are allowed on Class 2 e-bikes but the motor must stop providing assistance at 20 mph. Class 1 and Class 3 are pedal-assist only, so adding or enabling a throttle can push the bike out of its legal class.

Can I ride on local trails in Long Beach?

Trail access varies by route manager and class.

California generally treats compliant e-bikes like bicycles, but local agencies and land managers can restrict e-bike use on sidewalks, trails, parks, and other facilities. Class 3 e-bikes face more access limits than Class 1 or Class 2.

See full statewide legal text
Classification
California uses Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 e-bike definitions. Class 1 and Class 3 are pedal-assist classes, except for start or walk assist up to 3.7 mph. A bike can fall outside the e-bike definition if it is modified, marketed, or designed to exceed 750 watts, exceed 20 mph on motor power alone, or remove operable pedals.
Helmet
California requires helmets for Class 3 e-bike riders and passengers. Other statewide bicycle helmet rules may still apply by rider age or local rule.
Throttle rules
Are throttles legal on e-bikes in California? Class 2: Yes. Class 1 & 3: No. In California, throttles are allowed on Class 2 e-bikes but the motor must stop providing assistance at 20 mph. Class 1 and Class 3 are pedal-assist only, so adding or enabling a throttle can push the bike out of its legal class.
Trail access
California generally treats compliant e-bikes like bicycles, but local agencies and land managers can restrict e-bike use on sidewalks, trails, parks, and other facilities. Class 3 e-bikes face more access limits than Class 1 or Class 2.
Minimum age
California requires Class 3 e-bike operators to be at least 16. Other age limits may apply through local rules or facility policies.
License rules
No. In California, Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 e-bikes that meet the state definition are not treated as motor vehicles, so a driver's license is not required. If the bike is modified beyond class limits (for example, higher motor power or motor assistance above the class speed cap), it can be regulated as a moped or motorcycle with licensing requirements.
Registration rules
No. California does not require registration or license plates for properly classified e-bikes. A converted or overpowered e-bike that no longer fits the class definition may need to be titled and registered as a motor vehicle under state law.
Insurance rules
No. Compliant e-bikes in California are generally not subject to mandatory auto liability insurance. If your e-bike is treated as a moped or motorcycle because it exceeds class limits, insurance requirements may apply just like other motor vehicles.

More cities in California

Incentives

Find e-bike rebates in your state.

Up to $2,000 back depending on state, income tier, and program. ZIP lookup or pick a state.

Or
Find rebates →

Live tracker by the Ariel Rider Research Team · 51 state guides · updated weekly