An elderly lady friend has asked me about taking a pedelec away with her on holiday.
I said that as far as I was aware, the airlines did not permit hold carriage of electric cycles, although this seems illogical if you can carry a laptop!
Does anyone have knowledge of this aspect of bikes on planes?
The other problem would probably be one of weight & limits on cycle weight/sporting goods?
Pedelecs on planes?
-
Airsporter1st
- Posts: 796
- Joined: 8 Oct 2016, 3:14pm
Re: Pedelecs on planes?
John Holiday wrote:An elderly lady friend has asked me about taking a pedelec away with her on holiday.
I said that as far as I was aware, the airlines did not permit hold carriage of electric cycles, although this seems illogical if you can carry a laptop!
Does anyone have knowledge of this aspect of bikes on planes?
The other problem would probably be one of weight & limits on cycle weight/sporting goods?
Laptops are normally carried in cabin baggage and as such can be kept under observation against the slim chance of it catching fire. They also have smaller batteries.
Can't help re the pedelec, I'm afraid, but there is some info here https://www.wideopenmountainbike.com/2018/08/can-i-take-my-electric-bike-ebike-or-emtb-on-a-plane, which suggests there's very little, if any, chance of carrying one on a plane.
Re: Pedelecs on planes?
Related: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=125908
In short, batteries as big as used by most e-bikes are banned from flights (600Wh on a recent Kalkhoff Integrale - 160Wh is the limit according to CAA) and would have to be sent with a courier like Fedex.
A specialist forum's view: https://electricbikereview.com/forum/th ... vice.1357/ - it's possible with some bikes, sometimes with tricks like breaking batteries into sub-160Wh parts.
In short, batteries as big as used by most e-bikes are banned from flights (600Wh on a recent Kalkhoff Integrale - 160Wh is the limit according to CAA) and would have to be sent with a courier like Fedex.
A specialist forum's view: https://electricbikereview.com/forum/th ... vice.1357/ - it's possible with some bikes, sometimes with tricks like breaking batteries into sub-160Wh parts.
MJR, mostly pedalling 3-speed roadsters. KL+West Norfolk BUG incl social easy rides http://www.klwnbug.co.uk
All the above is CC-By-SA and no other implied copyright license to Cycle magazine.
All the above is CC-By-SA and no other implied copyright license to Cycle magazine.
Re: Pedelecs on planes?
Having flown with an electric wheelchair - it is difficult at times, easy at others.
I always carry the full specs of the wheelchair in print and confirm in writing that the batteries are flight compatible. We also have a plug that disables the drive
Yet recently I was summonsed from the plane to remove the batteries.... I explained that I had no idea how as we have never had to remove them before. They insisted, so I produced the letters and specifications, and after 15 minutes just pointed out that there were two options, either it flew as was, or we would have to disembark, they agreed to let it fly.
The laptop comparison is invalid as the size charge and weight is different to the batteries used in bikes, it is the charge held, and amount of metal that bans them
I always carry the full specs of the wheelchair in print and confirm in writing that the batteries are flight compatible. We also have a plug that disables the drive
Yet recently I was summonsed from the plane to remove the batteries.... I explained that I had no idea how as we have never had to remove them before. They insisted, so I produced the letters and specifications, and after 15 minutes just pointed out that there were two options, either it flew as was, or we would have to disembark, they agreed to let it fly.
The laptop comparison is invalid as the size charge and weight is different to the batteries used in bikes, it is the charge held, and amount of metal that bans them
Re: Pedelecs on planes?
Many destinations now have electric bike here, often less hassle and easier than taking your own
-
John Holiday
- Posts: 528
- Joined: 2 Nov 2007, 2:01pm
Re: Pedelecs on planes?
Thanks to all for knowledgeable responses.
It sounds as if ,as ever, the legislation has not kept pace with the technology.
It sounds as if ,as ever, the legislation has not kept pace with the technology.
Re: Pedelecs on planes?
If I might widen the question - can you take an e-bike on trains, in the UK and/or Europe?
Re: Pedelecs on planes?
"I might widen the question - can you take an e-bike on trains, in the UK and/or Europe?"
Short answer: yes. I have (retro fitted so looks like an ordinary bike). Weight is a challenge.
Short answer: yes. I have (retro fitted so looks like an ordinary bike). Weight is a challenge.
John