Can I Take An Ebike On A Plane?

Ebiking holidays are growing in popularity, and many have wondered if you can fly with it to enjoy the cycling routes. Unfortunately, taking your own e-bike on a plane isn't usually possible.

 

The Battery Issue

The primary reason you can't take an e-bike on a plane is due to its battery.

Most e-bikes use lithium-ion batteries, which are treated as a safety risk in aviation. Airline regulations limit the size of lithium batteries that passengers are allowed to carry on a flight.

The typical rule is that batteries with a capacity of up to 100Wh can be carried in hand luggage. Some airlines allow batteries between 100Wh and 160Wh with prior approval. While batteries over 160 Wh are not allowed on passenger flights and cannot be checked in either, most e-bike batteries are well above this limit. 

Flying with a standard e-bike battery isn't an option, but there are some other options to consider.

Alternatives To Flying With Your Ebike

If taking your e-bike on a plane is not possible, consider these alternatives.

Ship Your Ebike

Shipping your e-bike to your destination can be simpler than dealing with airline rules. The bike itself can be shipped separately. However, shipping large lithium e-bike batteries is restricted and can take a long time, especially for international travel. 

Use Ebikes At Your Destination

Many cities and popular cycling areas offer either rental services or bike sharing programs.

Both of these options allow you to enjoy the routes you want to ride, especially for short trips or getting around cities.

 

What This Means For Your Trip

Unfortunatly it's not possible to fly to a new destination with an ebike due to their size and capacity. Alternatives like shipping, renting, or using local e-bike services are the best options to consider if you'd like to use an e-bike on your holiday away.