International travelling with ebike

[steveindenmark]

If you could fly with the bike and battery another problem that you would possibly come across is that the bike would exceed the airlines maximum weight limit for a bike.

Another suggestion is to post your battery to your destination and then . How economical that is, I do not know. Just take your bike as a normal bike.

I had my battery sent from Powerpedals in the UK and it arrived 3 days later in Denmark.

Steve

 

[cwah]

That's what I'm thinking to do:
- post the battery to destination. Shouldn't be too expensive unless I send it to another continent. And I may even get the customs lol

 

[GaRRy]

That's what I'm thinking to do:
- post the battery to destination. Shouldn't be too expensive unless I send it to another continent. And I may even get the customs lol

Is that legal though ?. If you can't fly with it then can't see why it should be ok to post it as it will still be getting there by same method. Or it another one of those stupid rules that make no sense ?.

 

[cwah]

I don't know, but if we can receive battery from china by the air, it should be possible to ship lithium someway.

 

[blanche_aline]

Is that legal though ?. If you can't fly with it then can't see why it should be ok to post it as it will still be getting there by same method. Or it another one of those stupid rules that make no sense ?.

It is legal as long as you declare and pack it as hazmat according to the UN-regulations - exact procedure depends on your carrier but that shoudn't be a real problem. The difference is that your battery is going to be in a cargo freighter and handled by qualified staff.

 

[flecc]

I've posted lithium batteries as "electrical parts" without problems, and received 360 Wh e-bike batteries, contents unspecified, by air courier from China at normal courier rates with no extra paperwork.

There may be just luck involved, but for me post or courier has been completely viable.

 

[GaRRy]

I've posted lithium batteries as "electrical parts" without problems, and received 360 Wh e-bike batteries, contents unspecified, by air courier from China at normal courier rates with no extra paperwork.

There may be just luck involved, but for me post or courier has been completely viable.

Im sure its very easy to do just wondering what the correct legal way of doing it is ?.

bit like illegal e-bikes


.

 

[flecc]

bit like illegal e-bikes

Very much so!

 

[blanche_aline]

For those who are really interested: here's a nice overview
http://safetravel.dot.gov/PHMSA_battery_guide.pdf

 

[cwah]

Brought my brompton to France, travelled via eurostar with the brompton inside luggage.

No issues whatsoever with customs. Not even sure they noticed it's a 1320Wh battery!!

Here's my little love in Paris:

Quite happy when it landed. But it's DAMN HEAVY AT 30KG. I need to do something. I may have to re-think my brompton to make it manageable for international travel. Maybe something similar to Jerry simon would be the way to go? But with something like 150W motor power, wouldn't that be better not to have a motor at all...

Need some meditation...

 

[barrycoll]

that tether line to the lamp post doesn't look too secure....but maybe you have something through the rear wheel too???
I think that I would opt for something like this
Abus Granit Xplus Lock Review - BikeRadar

the rule of thumb is to spend 10% of the bike value on a lock.......which then makes the bike even more than 30kg...........
........which means another 10% of the value of the bike in gym membership

a healthy new year to all barryc

 

[bazwaldo]

I think that I would opt for something like this
Abus Granit Xplus Lock Review - BikeRadar

I have been using this lock for over 2 years now and it is a quality item.
My only criticism is it is rather heavy but then that's the pay off for the high level of security.
I have the Abus coiled cable as well to pass through the front wheel which is quick release on my Bearprint.

Another Barry!

 

[cwah]

I'm also using the kryptonite Fagetaboutit:
Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit Mini - BikeRadar

It's not very visible on the bike, but I already have 2 lock system:
- The U from Kryptonite
- And the Web steel to protect my bag from thieves

The rear wheel is quite difficult to remove:
- They need to remove the wiring to the motor
- Then un-bolt the torque arms attached.
- Then remove the motor associated nuts
- And finally use a little hammer to completely remove the over-tighten axle from the dropout.

Minimum 30 mn job. Took me a while to do that last time to change my brompton rear rack

So I'm not too afraid of getting my rear wheel stolen. lol

And travelling with 2 locks is already heavy enough, won't get a third one for extra security lol

 

[steve.c]

Hi.As i work as an Airport Security Supervisor the way i read it is that a Lithium Ion battery can go if it is attached to the thing it powers but cannot travel OFF the device so a laptop can travel with the battery pack but you cannot take a spare but i will clarify this when I'm at work on Monday.
Regards Steve

 

[morphix]

Hello there,

Have any of you done that?

Last time I took the eurostar with my bike and I didn't have problem with my 36V10AH battery pack.

But has that ever happened? I've read that it's not possible to bring lithium batteries anymore on the plane.

So train only for international travelling without problem?

I'm Planning my first train trip with my Mezzo next month and it that goes ok my first international trip will be a flight to Gibraltar after a visit to the channel isles by ferry. Apparently its free to take bikes on the ferry if you wheel them on.. Not sure what the policy is with folding bikes on planes. Mezzo fits in a shoulder back like Brompton.

 

[MikeyBikey]

I'm looking into going to Ireland by SailRail with an electric bike.
The Arriva trains site says the following:
"Yes, you can take a bike with you, subject to availability on trains. Reservations required for train. Reserve a place for your bike at your nearest staffed station after buying your tickets.

Stena Line: Bikes can be taken onto ferry, cost £5.00 each way, payable at ferry terminal. Reservations not required.

Irish Ferries: Bikes can be taken onto ferry, cost £9.00 each way, payable at ferry terminal. Reservations not required.

Bikes on Irish Rail services: Please visit Ireland rail travel information - Iarnród Éireann - Irish Rail for further information"
So next checking Virgin, Irishrail, Coach, etc, out of port and away in N4 Sligo direction.

 

[MikeyBikey]

More from irishrail:
"All InterCity trains have bicycles carriage facilities. Dublin to Cork trains.. in storage area separate from passenger compartment. All other InterCity bicycle spaces are within passenger compartment.* restricted to three bicycles per service*
Bicycle Reservations recommended that customers *reserve* their bicycles spaces online in advance of travel. Just select the bicycle option when you are reserving a seat. There is a charge of €6 per bicycle one way or €12 return"
Unfortunately the commuter / Dart train section has bad news, as although bikes allowed on off-peak hours (after 10am, etc) it says motorized bikes not allowed :-( (so not so good for Dun Loaghaire, etc)
Did not say that in inter-city section though
(Would not want to argue technicalities with them though, so if 'stealthed', 'what the eye don't see the heart don't grieve over' ;-) and if it folds, prob won't even be seen )

 

[MikeyBikey]

Well Virgin site says:
"Travelling with a bike? Well, our trains have racks for up to 4 bikes or 2 tandems (but not penny farthings). It's free but because space is at a premium, do remember to book a reservation for your bike in advance.
However, if it folds up, then it can travel for nothing without reservation (only applies to bikes, not contortionists).
(pls) ask platform team for location of bike space onboard before you get on. And remember to pick up a bike tag from any Virgin Trains ticket office, so that our onboard team know just how far your bike is travelling with us.
You can make a bike reservation when you buy your ticket by calling 08719 774 222
(if this is too much info I could edit it down) Mikey

 

[Scimitar]

Bikes were free on Irish Ferries and Stena until relatively recently; indeed, it was only a couple of years ago I noticed they were still free - you only paid the foot passenger fare, which was a tenner off-season, or something like that. I think it went up to a whole twelve quid in the summer.