Cape Charles Adopts Rules for Eastern Shore Rail Trail, Bans Most Motorized Vehicles

CAPE CHARLES, Va. — The Cape Charles Town Council has adopted new rules governing use of the Eastern Shore Rail Trail within town limits, designating the trail as a public nonmotorized transportation facility and recreational shared-use path while prohibiting most motorized vehicles.

Council adopted Ordinance 20260819 on Aug. 19, adding a new Section 28-8 to the Cape Charles Town Code. The ordinance took effect upon adoption and follows similar action by the Northampton County Board of Supervisors.

Northampton supervisors adopted Ordinance 2026-003 on July 14, establishing rules and civil penalties for portions of the trail under county jurisdiction. Cape Charles officials were advised to establish comparable regulations for the section within town boundaries.

A public hearing on the Cape Charles ordinance was held before council considered its adoption.

The Eastern Shore Rail Trail is planned as approximately 49.1 miles of paved shared-use path extending from Cape Charles to Hallwood in Accomack County.

According to the town ordinance, the Eastern Shore Rail Trail Foundation is constructing the trail and will be responsible for its management and maintenance.

The trail is intended to serve two purposes — recreation and alternative transportation — and will be open for general public use.

In Cape Charles, the trail enters town and terminates at the corner of Fig Street and Mason Avenue, providing the southern endpoint of what is envisioned as a regional trail connecting communities along the Eastern Shore.

Golf carts, scooters and Class 3 e-bikes prohibited

The ordinance makes clear that the trail is intended primarily for nonmotorized travel.

Motor vehicles prohibited on the trail include golf carts, motorized skateboards and motorized scooters. The town also specifically prohibits Class 3 electric power-assisted bicycles.

Not all electric bicycles are prohibited.

Class 1 and Class 2 electric power-assisted bicycles are permitted under the ordinance. The distinction allows lower-speed e-bikes while excluding Class 3 models, which generally provide pedal assistance at higher speeds.

Virginia law authorizes localities to restrict certain electric power-assisted bicycles on shared-use paths under their jurisdiction.

The ordinance also provides exceptions allowing motorized vehicles operated by emergency personnel and vehicles used by individuals with mobility disabilities.

Town and county seek consistent trail rules

Cape Charles’ action is intended to create rules similar to those already adopted by Northampton County, reducing the possibility of substantially different regulations as trail users cross between town and county jurisdictions.

The regulations are also intended to address safety as more sections of the trail become available to cyclists, pedestrians and other users.

The Cape Charles ordinance provides for penalties for violations, although the material presented to council does not specify the amount of those penalties in the ordinance text provided here.

The Eastern Shore Rail Trail is one of the region’s most significant active transportation projects, eventually creating a continuous paved corridor through much of the Virginia Eastern Shore.

For Cape Charles, the trail’s endpoint at Fig Street and Mason Avenue will also provide a direct connection between the regional trail system and the town’s downtown area.

With the adoption of Ordinance 20260819, Cape Charles has now established the basic rules governing how that final portion of the trail may be used — emphasizing pedestrians, bicycles and other nonmotorized transportation while limiting faster motorized traffic.

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Wayne Creed

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