Flying with an ebike?

[TrailSeeker]

Question for the community: has anyone successful traveled whilst checking your ebike on an airlines flight?

I have a feeling it's going to be hard because of the large battery but I was wondering if this was possible or not?

Thanks everyone

 

[billmeek]

According to the FAA website, you are allowed to carry-on up to 100-watt hours batteries and with airline approval you can carry-on ( up to 2) 160 watt hour batteries.

Source:

https://www.faa.gov/hazmat/packsafe/resources/media/Airline_passengers_and_batteries.pdf

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Meaning, you might fly with a Specialized SL e-bike (with the internal battery removed by the LBS) and two Range Extender external batteries.

 

[6zfshdb]

Depending on your destination, you might try shipping your bike & battery. Sites like this one offer such services:

Electric Bicycle Shipping| Electric Bike Shipping | E-Bike Shipper | BIKEFLIGHTS.COM

Get packing advice, low rates and expert service for shipping your electric bike at BikeFlights.com - Find rates.

www.bikeflights.com

 

[AHicks]

Maybe ship just the battery and take the bike with you on your flight?

 

[RunForTheHills]

Depending on the bike, you might be able to use Grin's Ligo stacking batteries that are designed to be able to be taken on a plane. A Grin kit on a Brompton folding bike would be ideal for traveling by air. They sell a travel case for checking a Brompton as luggage, but you would have to carry on the batteries. They aren't allowed in checked baggage. It wouldn't work with your Allant though. The Allant is a nice bike, but there is nothing so special about it that you can't rent a similar bike at your destination.

 

[TrailSeeker]

Thanks everyone for your input. Definitive some good ideas. I'm thinking of visiting family for awhile and was thinking the best way to do things. I might either try shipping it or renting one there (thanks for suggesting that - I hadn't thought about that).I really want to see some mountains but I don't think I can climb them just yet

 

[RunForTheHills]

If you are going to store your bike for an extended period of time, you ideally want to leave it with between a 50-80% charge on the battery. The Allant uses quality batteries and the fire risk is low and mostly while it is being charged. However, if you want to be extra safe, you can store the battery in a fireproof container like a barbeque, a wood burning stove, or your oven while you are gone.

 

[Cstefan]

If you are going to store your bike for an extended period of time, you ideally want to leave it with between a 50-80% charge on the battery. The Allant uses quality batteries and the fire risk is low and mostly while it is being charged. However, if you want to be extra safe, you can store the battery in a fireproof container like a barbeque, a wood burning stove, or your oven while you are gone.

Make sure you make a sign that has to be removed before operating the BBQ, fireplace, or oven. You don‘t want a house sitter to accidentally cook your batteries.

 

[J.R.]

Question for the community: has anyone successful traveled whilst checking your ebike on an airlines flight?

I have a feeling it's going to be hard because of the large battery but I was wondering if this was possible or not?

Thanks everyone

Shipping Personal Electric Bikes With Battery

Shipping electric bikes can be a real hassle due to batteries, bike size and weight. When you want to sell a bike or ship a bike back to a seller or ship a bike to your new home it can be problematic. I contacted ShipBikes last week to learn more about their services. I specifically asked about...

electricbikereview.com

 

[theemartymac]

This was discussed a short while ago, and it turned out there was some airline to airline variability - particularly across Europe. What the FAA says may not 'fly' so to speak if you are picking up an international connection. Worth checking with your airline and ensuring your connectors/returns have the same policy.

 

[TrailSeeker]

If you are going to store your bike for an extended period of time, you ideally want to leave it with between a 50-80% charge on the battery. The Allant uses quality batteries and the fire risk is low and mostly while it is being charged. However, if you want to be extra safe, you can store the battery in a fireproof container like a barbeque, a wood burning stove, or your oven while you are go

I love that advice! I have heard that 50% or so will keep the battery healthier for when it's not in use. It also saves battery life long-term. I had forgotten, so Thank you for the reminder.

Also your "store in the oven remark" brings back some memories of my note 7. I remember after it was in the news, that my dad said to "put that thing in the oven and leave it there until it ships back" to paraphrase.

Thank you for being my better half in terms of memory recall lol. I am getting old and forgetful

Also good idea about putting up a sign. Burning lithium batteries are not pleasant and they smell awful hahaha.

I appreciate everyone's advice on this!