Transport e-bike by car?

 

Transport e-bike by car.

 For example, if you want to take the e-bike with you on holiday by car, a bicycle carrier is a good option. Please note that the maximum nose weight of conventional bicycle racks is not always sufficient for the transport of an e-bike, because e-bikes are considerably heavier than regular bicycles. The maximum nose weight of a towbar is determined by the manufacturer of your car and varies per car. The maximum nose weight is usually stated on the plate next to the socket of your towbar. You can also find the maximum nose weight in your car documents or request it from the dealer of the car brand. The maximum nose weight is usually between 45 kg for smaller cars and 75 kg for larger ones. Because the frames of electric bicycles are often larger, it is often necessary to use a special bicycle carrier. We recommend using a bicycle carrier that is attached to the towbar to transport your e-bike. We do not recommend transporting your electric bicycle on a roof rack, because the weight of the e-bike is often too high to transport it on a roof rack. Moreover, it is much more inconvenient to lift the bicycle off the roof.

​

What requirements apply to the transport of an e-bike on a bicycle carrier.

• The maximum nose weight of the tow bar must not be exceeded

• The (electric) bicycles may not protrude more than 20 cm on either side of the car

• There should be no sharp parts protruding

• If the bicycle carrier covers the rear lights of the car completely or partially, an additional lighting bar is required

• The bicycle carrier or lighting bar must have a white license plate with the car's license plate number ​

​

Please note: Different rules often apply abroad. You can find this in the ANWB Europe Handbook.

 

Other options for transporting your e-bike?

In addition to the car, you can also take your e-bike on public transport, such as buses and trains. The rules vary per transport company and additional costs may apply.

​

E-bike transport on the bus and tram.

When traveling long-distance by bus, it varies from provider to provider whether or not e-bikes can be taken along. For example, FlixBus excludes the transport of e-bikes - with the exception of folding bicycles with electric drive. It is generally not allowed to take an [electric] bicycle on buses and trams. Folding bicycles are usually an exception here and are therefore allowed, provided they are folded.

​

E-bike transport on the train.

In the Netherlands you can take your electric bicycle with you on NS trains. Only in the designated places on the train. You can recognize them by the bicycle symbols on the door. You can register your bicycle via the NS Train Guide app. With this App you can also check in advance how many places are still available in the bicycle compartment of your train. You may not park your e-bike in a compartment without a bicycle symbol. ​

 

Even if you want to travel abroad by train, you can take your e-bike with you on most trains. However, all trains that allow this impose conditions. It is striking that on many international trains you are only allowed to take your electric bicycle with you if it has been disassembled. This must fit in a cover or case with a certain maximum size. This is immediately a bottleneck for many e-bikers. Because to make it fit you will have to disassemble the front wheel and/or rear wheel. Some trains, such as Renfe, require that the pedals must be removed and the steering wheel turned.

 

E-bike transport by plane.

Because lithium-ion batteries are classified as dangerous goods, most airlines refuse to carry e-bikes. However, there are exceptions, but they are expensive: Some airlines offer the transport of e-bikes under strict conditions and with great difficulty as special transport in a transport box. Therefore, renting an electric bike locally is the cheaper and easier way.