Taking your e-bike on vacation? Yes, but there are rules and restrictions. We'll advise you on how to do it!

Better behind the car than on top of it

If you are used to transporting conventional bikes on roof racks, don't try this with e-bikes, for several reasons. Roof racks usually have a limited load capacity, which e-bikes, with their higher weight, will almost certainly exceed. It is also not good for the car roof itself and its longitudinal roof racks – the bars used to attach the bike racks. And thirdly, even taller people often have trouble getting the bike onto the roof. And what if they have to handle an electric bike weighing 20 kg or more at height? There is a risk of injury or damage to both the e-bike and the car. 

It is best to purchase a rear carrier designed for mounting on a tow bar. Again, consider the load capacity when purchasing. Some manufacturers offer reinforced models designed specifically for transporting e-bikes. E-bikes can be easily placed on them and securely fastened. This protects them from aerodynamic drag, which also saves fuel, and relatively well from rain. 

"It is generally recommended not to transport e-bikes in heavy rain to protect the electrical circuits. When parking, do not leave them in direct sunlight for the safety of the batteries. If the design of the e-bike allows it, remove the battery and transport it inside the car. Again, never leave it in a parked car exposed to the sun for long periods of time. This could damage it. If we go into detail, it is ideal to transport the battery charged to between 30 and 60% of its capacity, which is also recommended for long-term storage," explains experienced e-biker and Bosch eBike Systems ambassador Richard Gasperotti.

And be careful – some countries, such as Italy, require a prominent sign with reflective stripes to be placed on the rear rack!

Better to book a reservation for the train

Rail transport is ideal, and most Czech carriers offer it. However, it is good to keep a few things in mind. First of all, it is not free. For an e-bike – as for a conventional bicycle – you need to purchase a special ticket. Due to the size of the bikes and limited capacity, most carriers require a reservation. 

With Czech Railways, you can place your electric bike in "your" carriage as additional luggage, up to the capacity limit. It is also possible to entrust it to transport in a special carriage designated for this purpose. Always check the options in advance for a specific line. For example, in the IDOS app, you can easily tell (if there is a bicycle pictogram in a circle next to the line, no advance reservation is necessary; if the bicycle is in a rectangle, a reservation is required). If there are hooks in the transport area, use them to hang your electric bike by the front wheel rim. If it is too heavy, someone will certainly help you. 

"Another pitfall can be getting the e-bike onto the train. While it is a piece of cake with low-floor trains and you can easily push the e-bike inside, with carriages with steps, you will have to battle gravity and uncooperative doors. In addition, you are responsible for your e-bike for the entire journey, so keep it under control," advises ebiker. 

Regio Jet allows the transport of electric bikes only on lines marked with the letter R (e.g., R8 Brno-Přerov-Ostrava-Bohumín). On other RJ category connections, e-bikes are not allowed on the train at all. The transport fee is CZK 30. 

Leo Express is convenient because all its trains are low-floor and always carry bikes. However, there are some caveats. The first is that capacity is limited to four bikes per train. The second is a size and weight limit, both of which can be found on the official website. The transport fee is CZK 49.

Arriva will also transport your e-bike, at the front or rear of the train. The limit is determined by capacity, which is usually 8 bikes. Boarding is low-floor, making it comfortable. You can also purchase a ticket for yourself and your bike from the conductor. 

The plane won't take it

Here, the answer is simple and sad. Electric bikes are not allowed on planes. This is prohibited by IATA rules. The main reason is that e-bike batteries are considered hazardous items, regardless of whether they are potentially dangerous "no-name" products or modern batteries whose safety is monitored by a built-in control unit. So if you are traveling by plane on vacation and want to ride an e-bike at your destination, arrange to rent one there. The same applies to traveling by ferry. They won't let you take an e-bike with a battery on board either.

Tip for worry-free travel: "Modern e-bikes can be connected to a mobile app, such as the eBike Flow App. This locks the e-bike and prevents the electric motor from being turned on. It only unlocks it when you are close to your mobile phone again. Bosch eBike Systems also allows you to lock the battery, which makes up a large part of the e-bike and can cost up to CZK 20,000. A locked battery cannot be used in another electric bike, making it worthless to thieves," adds Richard Gasperotti. 

Extra tip: If your electric bike is equipped with an electric gear shift, remove the battery before transporting it. The device inside the system senses movement and thinks you are riding, which means that it will completely drain the battery, especially during longer journeys. This means that you may arrive at your destination and have to recharge the battery before your first ride.