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Electric bicycles on bus bike racks

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Old 02-06-18, 11:45 PM
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nostalgic
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Electric bicycles on bus bike racks

Is an electric bicycle too heavy for a bus bike rack?
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Old 02-07-18, 05:09 AM
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unterhausen
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no, they are meant for some pretty heavy bikes. 4 might be too much
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Old 02-07-18, 11:18 AM
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I would suggest pulling the battery and bags (assuming you have panniers or some such).
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Old 02-07-18, 11:24 AM
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I'm thinking if you can pick it up and put it there, you are probably good.

What does your bike weigh?
I wouldn't hesitate to put mine on, but mine weighs 1/2 of what production bikes weigh

What weight are you looking at?
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Old 02-07-18, 03:30 PM
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If its an electric bicycle, why don't you just follow the bus?
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Old 02-07-18, 04:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Classtime
If its an electric bicycle, why don't you just follow the bus?
Exactly
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Old 02-07-18, 05:02 PM
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nostalgic
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Originally Posted by Classtime
If its an electric bicycle, why don't you just follow the bus?


My path to work has a mountain range in the middle of it. There's no way around it, so I have to take the bus on the interstate.
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Old 02-07-18, 05:50 PM
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Those bus racks are made of industrial steel.

As long as you can lift the bike that high, you're fine.
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Old 02-08-18, 08:06 AM
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Maybe just ride a bike. All the extra weight and complication of a motor bike may be completely unnecessary. Probably get some exercise as an added benefit.
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Old 02-08-18, 09:39 AM
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Originally Posted by nostalgic
My path to work has a mountain range in the middle of it. There's no way around it, so I have to take the bus on the interstate.
A whole mt range? Do you mt bike? Dirt roads available?
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Old 02-08-18, 10:35 AM
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I would also suggest contacting the bus company as even though a bus industrial type of rack can support the weight of an electric bike, the bus company may have a policy for forbidding them on racks.
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Old 02-08-18, 11:23 AM
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Originally Posted by blue192
I would also suggest contacting the bus company as even though a bus industrial type of rack can support the weight of an electric bike, the bus company may have a policy for forbidding them on racks.
+1

I ride the bus regularly, and you definitely want to discuss it with them. A lot of things are up to the driver, so you may also want to get something in writing to show them.
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Old 02-08-18, 01:15 PM
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Sportworks is one of the pre-dominant manufacturers of transit bus bike racks in the United States. The specifications for their racks are contained on their website:
https://www.sportworks.com/products/transit-bike-racks


Glancing through the specs, it appears they are designed for a 55 lb bike:

"The bicycle rack shall secure bicycles up to 55 lbs. per wheel tray
while the vehicle is moving. Additionally, the bicycle rack shall
support a 250 pound (maximum) centrally located static load
when it is deployed and the vehicle is not moving."
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Old 02-09-18, 06:39 PM
  #14  
Dahon.Steve
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Originally Posted by mel2012
Sportworks is one of the pre-dominant manufacturers of transit bus bike racks in the United States. The specifications for their racks are contained on their website:
https://www.sportworks.com/products/transit-bike-racks


Glancing through the specs, it appears they are designed for a 55 lb bike:

"The bicycle rack shall secure bicycles up to 55 lbs. per wheel tray
while the vehicle is moving. Additionally, the bicycle rack shall
support a 250 pound (maximum) centrally located static load
when it is deployed and the vehicle is not moving."
Good one.

As someone who uses bike racks frequently, a number of the bike racks are starting to show their age. They are beginning to show wear and tear and others are starting to slant downward. I would be very careful about putting a 2-3K electric bike on the rack because it depends on the condition.

There are some racks, I cross my fingers and hope for the best. Many of these bike racks are now 4 years old and they are starting to show it! As someone said, I would remove the battery and anything attached to the rack.
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