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Most people learn how to ride their electric bikes like a conventional bike: they get a push, start pedaling, switch a few gears, and next thing you know they’re off. It’s to be expected as electric bikes and regular bikes do function very similarly on a fundamental level. One just has a motor and battery attached.But did you know that there are particular ways to use your electric bike that will allow you to ride faster, longer, and, crucially, more safely?For example, having a faster pedaling cadence can not only be a smoother ride but can also help conserve your battery. This goes somewhat against the logic of conventional biking in some ways!This article is intended as a review of how to ride an electric bike properly. Perhaps you’re looking to buy and want to study first how to actually use one. Perhaps you already own an ebike and are looking for some additional tips. We’ve got it all covered here!So stick around and find out just how fun and easy it is to ride an electric bike.Understanding how your electric bike worksWithout overcomplicating things, electric bikes are essentially the same as conventional, human-powered bikes with a few extra bells and whistles. Working in tandem with one another, those added components make for a smoother and quicker journey.The concept of an ebike is simple: by adding a motor to a regular bicycle and powering it with a battery, the wheels of a bike can be turned with less assistance from the rider. Many modern electric bikes also incorporate internal sensors and basic computers to help regulate the entire system as well.Here are the parts that you should be aware of before riding your electric bike: Motor - helps you pedal and to save your thighs on those terrible hills. Motors come in two varieties: mid-drive motors and hub motors. Mid-drive motors are located in the middle of the frame and usually make the bike more stable and efficient, at the cost of extra bulkiness. Hub motors, which are located on the wheels, are easier to install but offer generally less control. The battery - powers the motor. Batteries come in all sorts of shapes and sizes and will require more or less time to charge. The capacity will largely dictate the range of the ebike. Lithium batteries are considered the highest quality as they are lighter, have larger capacities, and last longer. The brakes - behave much in the same way on electric bikes as regular bikes. You’ll just need to use them slightly sooner. The frame - Foldable ebikes are very portable but are much shorter to compensate for smaller wheels. Fixed-frame bikes are sturdier but more cumbersome. There are lots of different kinds of electric bikes as well. Each will excel at a different kind of riding. Be sure to read our guide on common types of ebikes to learn more.How to ride an electric bikeHow easy is it to ride an electric bike? About as easy as it is to ride a regular bike! Riding an electric bike is about enjoying yourself, not necessarily going fast.We’ve heard a couple of people ask if knowing how to ride a regular bike is necessary to ride an electric bike and our answer is usually “it certainly doesn’t hurt!” Although electric bikes require some extra attention, they are not so different from their analog predecessors. One could learn how to ride a bike using either in fact.Let’s assume you already know how to ride a regular bike though. Luckily, riding an electric bike is very similar to riding a conventional one, with a few extra things to consider.Before the first rideFirst thing’s first: you need to check your ebike for actually riding it. Make sure that: Your battery is fully charged or close to fully charged. The more it is, the further you will be able to ride. The tires, brakes, and gears all function properly. Never hurts to do a quick thumb check of the tires to make sure they’re good. Make sure that the bike is assembled and working properly. If you have a Linky bike, you can review the tutorials here. Don’t forget to wear your helmet as always! If everything looks good, the next thing is to actually mount. Adjust the seat, check the mirrors if you have them, and switch on the electrical components. If you have difficulty mounting, some bikes actually use a special kind of frame called a step-through, which is missing the top bar that usually connects the seat to the handlebars. These can be easier to ride for some people.Once you’ve turned on your electric bike, check to see if the appropriate gear and assistance mode is selected. While you’re at it, pedal the bike a bit just to make sure the motor responds.During the rideThe first thing you might notice is the motor and pedal assistance kicking in. Before you actually start riding though, it would pay to know what kind of pedal assistance your ebike provides and how it behaves. Some bikes with a more sensitive cadence system will start accelerating immediately. Others may take a bit longer to kick and won’t start until you reach a certain speed or cadence.On the subject of pedals, you do have to use them in order to ride an electric bike. Whilst many ebikes have a throttle that can be relied upon, you’ll still need to pedal in order to get the most of the bike. Pedalling also helps to conserve the battery.QUICK TIP: you generally want to pedal faster i.e. have faster cadence when using electric bikes, at least compared to regular bikes. This allows the bike to run more smoothly and helps to preserve the battery longer. This is especially the case when you’re riding your electric bike uphill.Be aware of the gears you are using and which riding mode you’re in. You don’t want to be using a gear that is too low or a riding mode that is too active. Both will drain your battery very quickly. You need to find a fine balance between which gear and riding modes you use. Linky bikes have six riding modes and seven gears, which results in 42 possible combinations!Finally, maintain the correct posture when riding an electric bike. You don’t want to stand up and push down on the pedals with all your force as you might on a conventional bike. Causing an electric bike to sway can sometimes confuse the motor and electric components, which will in turn cause the bike to slow down. Face forward and activate your core muscles to keep the bike stable. You may find that you're getting an extra ab workout in while riding!How do you ride an electric bike uphill anyway?If you’re on the road, you just need to put the bike in the right gear and the motor will do the rest. (Be prepared to be amazed by the hill-climbing powers of the ebike!) If you really want to conquer the hills though, having a bike with a mid-drive motor is best though rear hub motors do well too.Climbing hills off-road is a bit trickier though as you’ll need to consider terrain and body position more. You’ll want to really nail your gear choice as well as the pedaling cadence when going up steeper sections and be on the lookout for debris that might catch the pedals. Remember to stay seated on the bike but lean forward a bit more than usual to keep the center of gravity over the front wheel.Ending the rideWhen you’re ready to stop, it’s just a matter of slowing down either using the brakes or coasting to a halt.Regarding braking: because electric bikes have increased mass and are usually traveling at faster speeds than regular bikes, it takes longer for them to brake. That means you shouldn’t brake at the exact moment you reach an intersection or see an obstacle directly in front of you. Start breaking ahead of time so that your bike will be able to lose momentum and inertia. In some cases, the final destination is better than the journey itself.Once you’ve come to stop, it’s just a matter of finding a place to park your bike. Make sure you find somewhere secure and always use a good U-lock (and never the cable variety). Always lock the bike properly.Most likely, you will need to give your battery a quick charge as well. If you’re commuting to or from work and traveled more than 10-15 miles one way, you will definitely want to charge the battery. Park the bike near a charging station or, if your ebike has a removable battery, carry it with you wherever you’re going. Make sure you unplug your charger when not in use though! Leaving in the outlet leads to "vampiric drain" and increases the carbon footprint of the ebike.Essential electric bike safety tipsBesides remembering to brake early, there are some other things that you need to remember when riding your ebike safely, such as:Be even more aware of trafficDespite the growing popularity of commuter ebikes, many drivers don’t know how to behave around them. Most don’t expect them to be so nimble or reach 25+ miles per hour, neither do they factor any of this when driving. If drivers misjudge the speed or position of the bike, accidents can happen.So be sure to be EXTRA defensive when using an electric road bike. Keep plenty of space between you and them and try your best to communicate what you intend to do. If the drivers know, the situation will be much safer.Don’t go too fast too soonMost people start to quickly and dial their bike speeds to the max without knowing how to use it first. Although riding an ebike is relatively straightforward, you need to get a feel for it first. The bike’s center of gravity, gear-shifting and level of assistance can vary quite a lot. Some bikes accelerate very quickly whilst others are smoother and take their time. Start slowly and understand the nuances of your particular electric bike first before going full throttle with it. Be especially careful when riding in the dark.Careful of cornersLike a car or anything with a motor for that matter, you generally want to avoid accelerating on corners. Electric ebikes behave in the same way - if you accelerate on a corner too quickly, you run the risk of losing control of the bike. Rather, coast or brake slightly when going around corners and accelerate again once you’ve cleared it.Don’t fixate on your smartphone or screenIf you attach your smartphone to the handlebars (you can do so using this accessory) and use it as a GPS device, it can be very easy to get distracted. If you’re looking at your phone, you’re not looking at the road and then accidents happen. Having a screen mounted on your ebike is very useful but you need to use it safely. Make sure your surroundings are clear or pullover to check.All the usual bike safety rules applyRemember that you’re still riding a bike, even if it has a battery and motor installed. This means you need to follow all of the usual precautions such as: Using proper lighting both on the bike and your clothes. Making sure your tires are pumped and the pressure is correct. Double-checking that everything is functioning properly. Using the proper hand signals. Follow all the issues bicycle etiquettes. FAQ: Where and when can I ride my electric bikeWe’re often asked quite often when and where exactly is best to ride your electric bike. Here are some common questions and answers:Can you ride an electric bike on the sidewalk?If you want to be that person who skips over traffic by going rogue on the sidewalk, we won’t stop you. This is generally frowned upon by fellow pedestrians and sometimes even illegal. Don’t think you’re Officer Gordon in The Dark Knight hoppin’ curbs left and right.Some sidewalks are wide enough to accommodate both pedestrians and bicycle riders though. You usually see this at the beach or in touristy areas. In this case, you could ride your ebike on the sidewalk - just make sure to check first. Some sidewalks are ok to ride on, others not. It all depends on where you are.Can you ride an electric bike on the road?Yes and no. Whilst electric bikes are often used by commuters and as road bikes very often, electric bikes are treated differently by the law. If you intend to ride your electric bike somewhere public, you’ll need to make sure it is legal first in your country or region. For example, class 1 and 2 bikes are restricted to bike lanes in the USA, whilst class 3 bikes are generally allowed only on the road.TL;DR Check the local laws first before riding your bike on the main roads.Where can you ride an electric mountain bike?As mentioned before, you can’t just ride an electric mountain bike or eMTB anywhere. Many trails prohibit electric mountain biking if they’re a certain kind or class. So you’ll need to pick a trail before you actually head out. Check out this site to find some potential electric mountain biking trails. Most mountain bikes, especially eMTBs, can only be ridden on certain trails.Can you ride an electric bike in the rain?Most ebikes are resistant to rain up to a certain degree. Make sure to check how much with the manufacturer.Do you need a license to ride an electric bike?Each country and region will have its own ebike laws. In most cases, electric bikes do not require a license, insurance, or registration to use.Riders do need to be a certain age though. In the UK, the rider must be 14 years old whilst in the US only 12. Keep this in mind when you want to use electric bikes on the next family bike ride.Final ThoughtsDo you have a particular way of riding your electric bike? Is there a special trick or habit that you absolutely can't neglect? Let us know in the comment section below!

Boarding airplanes with personal mobility devices has been a hot topic for a while now. Even more so since the rules seem to change on a monthly basis. These changes have even resulted in various companies going out of business.These ever-changing regulations have put electric skateboard owners who want to travel in a particularly tough situation. A lot of airlines are starting to ban them from bringing their board on the plane and even in checked baggage. Mostly this has to do with batteries (but more on that later).We’re here to say that despite horror stories that you might have heard, YES, it is still possible to travel by plane with an electric skateboard. You just need to know exactly what you’re doing.This article is intended to help explain the current situation with airlines and equip you with the proper knowledge. You’ll understand why airlines are so strict on electric skateboards and how you can navigate the sometimes confusing rules.With the right preparation and correct conditions, you should be flying with your electric skateboard or longboard soon enough.What’s the problem?Obviously, there are some regulations to respect when it comes to traveling with an electric skateboard by plane.The first thing you should know is that most airlines are very strict about lithium-ion batteries. Practically every one of them requires that batteries be put in check-in luggage. This is why passengers are required to bring personal electronics, like laptops, phones, cameras, etc, into the cabin.The reason for the strict monitoring of batteries is that there have been a lot of concerning events where lithium-ion batteries explode. The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 debacle a few years ago is a prime example. More recently, OneWheels and hoverboards have also been making a mess.So, understandably, airlines and the bodies that govern them have decided to crack down hard on traveling with any sort of batteries. Nowadays, you can only bring batteries that are less than 160WH onto the plane with you.Speaking specifically about electric skateboards, most use lithium-ion batteries as well, which means they are subject to the same scrutiny, if not more. For one reason or another, airlines are just less flexible when it comes to motorized boards, which can make traveling with them difficult…But not impossible.Who makes the laws regarding lithium-ion batteries?Airlines don’t make the rules on whether or not you can or cannot fly with your electric skateboard. They, in conjunction with the TSA, just enforce them.Federal agencies, like the FAA and EASA are the ones who decide what is and isn’t prohibited onboard airplanes. They write the laws and we are often left to follow and sometimes interrupt them.Most regulations don’t directly refer to electric skateboards at all either - rather they all pertain to lithium-ion batteries that they use. These are the laws that declare that anything over 160WH is prohibited from flying.Notable organizationsBelow are some important associations that you need to be aware of. Each has its own set of rules that should be consulted before you try flying with your electric skateboard or longboard. TSA - Transportation Security Administration. These are people scanning your bags, looking for prohibited items, and keeping the peace. Their official site says that two spare batteries may be brought on the plane given they are no more than 160WH and that airline approval is needed. FAA - Federal Aviation Administration. The leading organization that makes the laws concerning air travel, at least in the USA. They lay down the initial guidelines for batteries in terms of size, capacity, and wattage. Official documentation is here. IATA - International Air Transport Association. Global organization that ensures that all airlines follow similar guidelines. Jurisdiction covers both public transport as well as shipping. Their documentation about batteries can be found here. CATSA - The Canadian version of the TSA. Battery guidelines are here. CAA (United Kingdom) - Civilian Aviation Authority. The English version of the FAA. Guidelines here. EASA - European Aviation Safety Agency. Finally, we have the European Union’s iteration of the FAA. Refer to this webpage for battery-related rules. What do the airlines say?Airlines can be quite vague when it comes to specifically transporting electric skateboards or longboards. Some say nothing; a lot just say “no”.The problem is that, in most cases, electric skateboards fall annoyingly between two different categories of luggage: hoverboards and (standard) skateboards.Hoverboards, which include balance boards, gravity boards, and self-balancing devices, are strictly banned by ALL major airlines. This is due to reports of terrible, consumer-grade hoverboards catching fire spontaneously.Skateboards, on the other hand, are usually allowed either as checked luggage or a carry-on. Each airline does have its own rules when it comes to size, dimensions, and additional fees.So you’d think that simply removing the battery from the board, checking the board in your luggage, and then taking the battery on the plane would be fine. But this is sometimes not enough to dissuade paranoid gate agents.At the end of the day, the airlines and their agents have the final word. Some are lenient; others have zero-tolerance. Always consult them before attempting to travel with your electric skateboard, either in person or via email. If you say the right words and plead your case, you might be able to travel with your electric skateboard.Which airlines will most likely say no?These are the airlines that we found with policies that point-blank say no to bringing electric skateboards on the plane. We’re sharing this list because these are obviously the airlines that are the LEAST likely to accommodate you: United Spirit Airlines Alaska Southwest British Airways Air Canada LATAM Air France Any airline not mentioned in this list might be more open to someone traveling with their electric skateboard. As usual, this is circumstantial.Rules and policies are constantly changing. Again, always check with the airline beforehand to see if there is any chance.How to fly with an electric skateboardSo let’s say you decide to say “screw the odds! I’m feeling like I can succeed at bringing my board on the plane.”What then do you do?If you decide to attempt to fly with your electric skateboard, there are some things you can do that will increase the chances of making it. We have prepared a simple step-by-step guide that you should follow before your trip starts. Step 1 - Liaison with the airline and gain as much information as possible about the situation. Check their website under the section about dangerous goods/batteries. Step 2 - Print out any relevant documentation from the airline and/or governing bodies in case you need to plead your case. Make sure that you bring the battery’s certificates as well. Step 3 - Decide if you can and want to carry your electric skateboard in the cabin or in the check-in luggage. Step 4 - If you bring the board with you in the cabin, have the proper backpack. If you put the board in check-in luggage, make sure to remove the battery. Here’s a video for removing Linky’s. Step 5 - Stow the battery properly in the cabin. If it can fit under the seat in front of you, do that. Otherwise, leave it in the overhead. Spare batteries within 160WH are generally allowed in the cabin by airlines. Step 6 - Always be warm and respectful with airline staff. They can either make your life easy or very, very hard. What’s the best electric skateboard to fly with?Before you even begin to consider traveling with your electric skateboard, you need to make sure it is relatively compact and has a detachable battery that is less than 160WH. If your board has none of these, then things won’t be easy for you.There are a lot of electric skateboards to choose from these days. Most of them weren’t designed with airline travel in mind.Enter Linky.One of the biggest reasons that makes Linky unique in the electric skateboard industry is its outstanding compactness. With its solid foldable system, you just squeeze it into your backpack when your ride is finished.A lot of our customers are happily using Linky for commuting in cities, but more and more people are starting to travel with it. Thanks to its extremely compact dimensions and lightness, we believe Linky is the best electric skateboard to travel with. Owners have the greatest odds of bringing their board on the plane and we can confirm that lots of people have done so already.Linky’s battery is 125W, removable, and also has the right paperwork. Therefore you will face fewer issues when flying with your board. Just make sure that you know what to do!How long can my skateboard be?All airlines have their own policies when it comes to the maximum length of carry-on luggage. Generally speaking though, an item should be no more than 22" x 14" x 9" as per FAA suggestions.That means that most skateboards and definitely longboards are not going to be able to come in the cabin with you. Most likely, you’ll probably have to check your board; the max length of checked baggage is 62 inches. Some longboards may still not be short enough for this though.This is where Linky really shines. When folded, the board becomes a super-compact 15” x 11” x 4.5” - perfect for a carry-on. If the gate agents allow you to travel with your board, you should have no problem getting into the cabin itself.What are the alternatives to traveling with an electric skateboardIf you just don’t want to deal with the hassle of trying to bring your electric skateboard on a plane, you do have other options.Use another form of transportAirlines are the strictest when it comes to traveling with electric skateboards and their batteries. Rail companies, ground transport, and rental agencies, on the other hand, care a lot less about how big of a battery you have - practically not at all it seems.Our favorite way to travel is definitely by train. Being able to take advantage of the amazing rail network here in Italy (and the lax rules) means we can travel just about anywhere with our board. Feels good to hop out of the cabin, extend the board, and then take off on the streets!If you haven’t traveled to Europe before with an electric skateboard or even an e-bike, we highly recommend it.Renting an electric longboardThis is not so common, even in larger cities. But that doesn’t mean the option doesn’t exist. Try looking for rental agencies on Google Maps or use lending sites like FriendWithA… to see if there is an available board near you.Shipping the boardUsing a courier service, like FedEx, DHL, or UPS, to send your board ahead of you while you’re traveling is a totally viable option. We use FedEx ourselves and can say that they are fairly reliable.You ought to be aware of a few things when shipping your electric skateboard though: Couriers have wattage limits as well - Similar to the airlines, a shipping company won’t take a battery over a certain wattage. The batteries will also need to be packed a certain way to avoid being damaged. Ask whatever company you are planning on using ahead of time what their standards are in regards to shipping batteries. It’ll be expensive - It is not cheap to ship anything overseas let alone a heavy piece of equipment like a board. Be prepared to pay a pretty penny if you choose to do so. Customs - Even though your board is a personal item - thus saving the hassle of having to pay duties - it never fails that a customs officer misreads the label and charges something extra. Any unnecessary charges can of course be disputed and reversed, but this will take time. And clearing customs already takes a while in the first place! Wrapping UpUltimately, it IS possible to travel by plane with an electric skateboard. We’ve done it, our clients have done it, and a lot more people for that matter, we’re sure.In order to succeed though, you’ll need to make sure of some things: Invest in the proper board and battery. Know the rules and regulations of airlines and transport regulators. Choose the right airline to fly with. Comply with all of the policies and do your best to explain your situation. Do it right whilst being respectful of the rules and the people enforcing them and you will increase your chances of being able to travel with your electric skateboard.Do you have any success stories of traveling with your board? Know which airlines are most likely to allow you to bring one? Please leave a comment below and let us know any and all experiences you have to share!