What Exactly Are Electric Bikes?
Bicycling has long been one of the more popular sports in the United States and around the globe for many years. But recently, electric bicycles, or e-bikes, have come out as additional options for this long-held hobby. Different from a motorcycle or a scooter, these electric bikes all have the same components as their regular counterparts, with the addition of a motor, battery and controller integrated into the design. These are the fundamental and basic components for all electric bicycles on the market today.
Electric bikes are extremely easy to operate, with three modes of operation at your disposal. You can opt for the traditional pedal-only propulsion, pedal-assist, with the motor providing a measure of assistance, and electric only, which means you do not have to engage the foot pedals at all. This makes for a varied and enjoyable cycling experience. These bikes to not need a drivers license to operate, as motorcycles do, but when purchasing one, or as we are about to discuss, moving with one to a new state, you might want to check the local traffic laws to determine how these vehicles are regulated in your area.
What Is The Best Way To Transport An Electric Bike?
Of course, once you own an electric bike, you will want to become familiar with the best practices for transporting that bike from one location to another. There are a few elements to take into consideration for this as opposed to a traditional bicycle.
- Battery. Electric bikes have batteries and related electronic components that will also have to be moved.
- Weight. Electric bikes are going to be heavier and more awkward to move around than traditional bikes.
Electric bikes can be transported easily by car, truck, or trailer, as long as a few basic guidelines are followed. Here are the best practices to be followed when you need to transport your electric bike.
The simplest way to transport an e-bike is inside your vehicle, which allows you to get the bike to the destination you would like to explore on those two wheels. If your vehicle is spacious enough, it should simply rest in the back seat. No fuss, no muss. This is a good thing, because the electrical components like battery and brakes can remain free of dirt, grease, water, or other contaminants, as well as remaining dry until you are ready to use it (no one likes a wet seat, right?).
Transporting by car also makes sure the electric bike is mostly out of sight and not an invitation to would be thieves. Most bike clubs recommend installing a U-lock as a further deterrent to any theft, as well as removing the front wheel and the battery. The electric bike can be quickly and easily reassembled when you reach your destination.
If you do not want to risk getting your interior dirty by transporting an electric bike, another option is the bike rack, which is available and can accommodate different bike and tire sizes with ease. Hitch mounted racks are generally considered to be the first best option for electric bike transportation. Hitch racks can be easy DIY projects, or when in doubt, have them professionally installed.
Even when using a bike rack, it is recommended to remove the battery for the duration of the trip, as this helps to prevent possible theft, or loss, or damage.
Some electric bikes are designed to fold up, which makes storage and ease of transportation that much more convenient.
What Are the Proper Steps For Preparing An Electric Bike for Transport?
A couple of things to remember when transporting:
- Make sure the carrier or bike rack does not obstruct the view of your license plate. Law enforcement takes a very dim view of this.
- If you are towing the bike on a carrier, make sure it has functioning lights. Make yourself as visible as possible.
- The bike itself should not protrude any more than 7.5 inches from either side of the car or SUV.
- Remove any and all accessories from the bike while transporting them, such as child seats or baskets.
- Check the draw bar load on the rack and make sure you are within the weight parameters.
- Store the battery and other electrical components inside the car to keep them out of the elements.
- If you are concerned about the finish or paint on the bike, place some towels between the straps and the bike to prevent any abrasion.
If you decide to transport the electric bike on a trailer, or pickup truck bed, you’ll need assistance maneuvering it in place. Have someone push from the back and use the handlebars to steer the bike up the loading ramp into the truck bed or trailer. Once positioned, lower the kickstand to help keep the electric bike in position. Chock the wheels from both sides to prevent any forward or rearward motion. Then use ratchet straps to lock down the electric bike securely into place.
What Should You Keep in Mind During the Actual Move?
While actually transporting the electric bike, be aware of your driving. You may have to moderate your driving habits with an electric bike hanging off the back or being towed on a trailer. The weight of your vehicle has been increased, which means allowing extra time and distance for braking, stopping, or turning. Remember that sudden acceleration or sharp turns could cause the electric bike to shift or fall. If you are transporting the electric bike over a considerable distance, make sure to stop and check it out every so often, just to make sure nothing has shifted or come loose or even disconnected during the trip. This becomes especially important if you have driven through inclement weather or over rough terrain.
Unpacking an Electric Bike
Once you have arrived at your new destination, you will need to basically repeat the process in reverse. Locate any and all items that make have been bagged or stored, refer to any photos taken to make sure everything goes back where it is supposed to be, and of course be certain that your new location already has adequate space prepared to store the electric bike.
As with any element of moving or transportation, all it takes is a little judicious planning and forethought to make sure you have a successful and enjoyable move, and soon you will be enjoying your electric bike and looking forward to new roads, paths, and exciting destinations.
