Whether you’re planning on going for a long ride by bike or are leaving the country for a vacation, there is a fair deal of prep work that goes into electric bike touring. It may seem like an overwhelming task if it’s your first time, but once you’ve gotten all the basics down it won’t seem so complicated after all.
Here are our 6 most important tips to keep in mind when planning a trip that involves your very own electric bike.
Contents
- 1.Charge All Batteries Before Venturing Off
- 2.Prepare a Packing List of Ebike-Adjacent Accessories
- 3.Be Mindful about Flying Regulations
- 4.Read up on Local Ebike Bylaws
- 5.Plan and Schedule your Bike Ride Ahead of Time
- 6.Consider Travel Insurance
- 7.Conclusion
- 8.Maybe it will be helpful for you
1.Charge All Batteries Before Venturing Off
While this tip feels like something that’s so obvious it goes without saying, you’d be surprised how many people forget to do it. Making sure your batteries are fully charged should be a given even for just a normal ride, let alone going on a bike tour or on vacation out of the state.
If you have more than one battery then double check that all of them are fully charged before your pack up and get ready to head out.
2.Prepare a Packing List of Ebike-Adjacent Accessories
When you arrive at your biking destination and are ready to roll, you must have with you a few extra supplies that should be on you at all times when riding your ebike. No, we’re not talking about the accessories that come with your ebike like the headlights or the LCD screen. We’re talking about supplies that you (or your bike) may need in the event of an emergency.
When it comes to items for yourself, you should always bring enough water in a designated water bottle that will last you the entire bike ride. Bringing along some snacks is also recommended, but water is absolutely necessary.
You should also consider bringing along some skin lotion and some sunscreen depending on where you’re traveling to and what time of the year it is.
When it comes to items for your bike, a repair kit or an extra battery could definitely come in handy in the event that some component of your ebike meets with failure.
3.Be Mindful about Flying Regulations
If your trip involves going on a plane, you might be met with some complications. While you are allowed to bring an electric bike onto airplanes, you cannot take batteries with you. This means that you will have to dismount the battery from your bike and either have it shipped to your destination via other means ahead of time or rent or buy another battery once you land.
There are some exceptions, as some airlines allow certain lithium-ion batteries to be taken aboard as long as they fall within certain watt-hour measurements. Call your airline ahead of time and see if your battery will be allowed on their flights.
4.Read up on Local Ebike Bylaws
Before you arrive at your destination, you must make sure that the local bylaws of that place do not prohibit you from riding your ebike. Different cities and countries have different laws on the usage of ebikes, and depending on your bike’s class, it may not be allowed on the bike trail you were planning on touring.
Macfox’s bikes are class 1 so they will be subject to far less rules and regulations than class 3 ebikes. Still, it is always wise to look into things ahead of time and make sure your ebike doesn’t have a wattage or a max speed that is considered unsafe, otherwise you won’t be allowed to use your ebike at all once at your destination.
5.Plan and Schedule your Bike Ride Ahead of Time
One of the most important things to do before heading out on your ebike tour is to learn how long the roads are that you plan on touring. This is because you need to make sure that your ebike has enough range and battery life to last you the entire trip.
For example, let’s say your bike and battery has a max range of 30 miles, but the bike trail you plan on touring is 40 miles long. This means that you’ll need to only make a partial trip on this longer trail, or change plans and find a shorter trail.
Related Reading:Top 10 Recommended Electric Bike Tours in California
This is extremely important because you don’t want to run out of juice when you’re only partially done riding. You’ll have no choice but to manually pedal a heavier bike that will feel extremely cumbersome.
Always know how long each and every bike ride will take so that you know you will never run out of battery.
6.Consider Travel Insurance
While this is a more optional tip, you may want to consider purchasing travel insurance for your e-bike. This is especially true for longer trips abroad.
While no one feels like they need insurance, there's no denying that it's going to be one thing you want to have in case of an emergency or accident. If your e-bike with pedals is damaged or stolen in a car accident, you're left completely in the dust without any travel insurance. And since e-bikes typically cost a fortune, it's wise to provide some financial protection.
There are companies that offer insurance protection plans with worldwide coverage that you can use to protect your e-bike. Some of them even have package plans that cover you once you purchase certain security equipment, such as bike locks, padlocks, or renting removable batteries. If you feel the need for travel insurance, these are some of the best options for you to consider.
Conclusion
Touring around on an ebike is an exciting experience. Just make sure that you are well-prepared before you go and that you do it safely. Then, you can enjoy your ebiking trip with peace of mind.If you follow all of the tips above, you’ll be ready to do an ebike trip anywhere. So be sure to check this list again before heading and the door. And most of all, have fun!
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FAQs
Why is it important to charge all batteries before venturing off on an electric bike trip?
Charging the batteries ensures that you have sufficient power for your ride, whether it's a normal ride or a bike tour.
What are some essential items to include in your packing list for an electric bike trip?
Water, snacks, skin lotion, sunscreen, and a repair kit or extra battery for the bike are recommended items to have in case of emergencies.
Why should you read up on local ebike bylaws before going on a trip?
Different cities and countries have varying laws and regulations regarding the usage of ebikes. It's important to know if your ebike is allowed and if there are any restrictions or safety requirements in place.