Taking Your E-Bike When You Travel Long Distance
Electric bicycles are an excellent form of short-to-medium distance transportation. They are perfect for traveling around a vacation destination or as a supplemental transit option when making long trips. However, this means that you need to find a way to bring your e-bike with you during long-distance travel. The following tips should help you do so.
General Tips
Naturally, the main concern is how to transport your electric bike. We’ve provided some information on that for different travel options below. However, there are some other concerns as well. The first and foremost is ensuring that you have everything you need with you.
It is probably obvious, but you will need to bring your bike charger. It is also a good idea to bring a backup battery. Remember to not charge your backup battery fully as that can be bad for the battery health. However, an extra 50% capacity can really save you in a pinch.
Additionally, you should bring some tools and spare parts. For example, you will want to bring a tire repair kit. A few hand tools are also an excellent idea. Take some time to do a tune-up before you leave. You don’t want to get to your destination only to realize your brake pads are on their last legs. If you do some preparatory work and pack intelligently, you will have a better travel experience with your e-bike.
Cars and Trucks
For cars and trucks, transporting your e-bike is relatively simple. There are numerous bike racks on the market. Typically, a roof rack is not an ideal option (with the exception of some off-road-style racks) because they cannot support the weight of electric bikes. This is the most important consideration when choosing a rack – make sure it can easily support your bike(s).
RVs
RVs also have a variety of rear-mounted rack options. Again, make sure you buy a product that can handle the weight of your e-bike. Consider also investing in a cover, especially if you plan to travel for weeks at a time.
Planes and Trains
You may be surprised to learn that you can bring electric bikes on planes and trains. However, there are a number of restrictions, so you will need to do your homework. For trains, you will typically need to put the bike in checked luggage. Make sure to check with the train company before buying your ticket to ensure that they allow e-bikes. The rules vary by company and train.
Planes are a little more complicated. The main limiting factor is the battery. Different airlines have their own rules, but batteries like those on e-bikes cannot be brought in carry-on luggage. Additionally, they can only be checked with prior airline approval. Also, keep in mind that there will often be an additional charge for checking your e-bike.
Get Your Next E-Bike Today
No matter how you travel long-distance, bringing your e-bike with you can be a great option. If you want to buy a new e-bike for your travels, check out the E-Lux Electric Bikes catalog. We have some great bikes for taking on vacation such as the Malibu GT and Tahoe GT. Order yours today.