I’ll keep this post somewhat brief, but need to address two pressing issues when it comes to moving e-bikes around, and keeping them from walking off without your permission.
Transport
E-bikes weigh more than regular bicycles because of the additional weight of the motor and battery. The Ride1up Roadster V2 mentioned in a previous post is the lightest I have seen at 33 pounds, but e-bikes can weight up to 70 pounds. Not only do you need to factor this additional weight into how you plan to move the bike around, but also how you intend to transport it. The first thing I do when transporting an e-bike is remove the battery (if possible). But more important than that is to understand the weight limitations of your bicycle rack. I have a rack designed for regular bicycles (this one with a load capacity of 80lbs). This ‘hitch mount platform’ is fine for a single e-bike (with battery removed), but is pretty marginal for two e-bikes. Consider the actual weight experienced by the rack when you go over a bump (like a speed bump). This could well exceed the rated capacity with the 40-pound bikes on the rack.
Better is to purchase a rack that’s actually designed for e-bikes. They are a LOT more expensive, but might be necessary for your application. Here’s a link that provides some sage advice:
Four racks from their list;
Sport Rider hitch mounted rack
Thule EasyFold XT 2 Hitch Bike Rack
YAKIMA – HoldUp EVO 2″ Hitch Mounted Tray Bike Rack, 2 Bike Capacity
Security
E-bikes are expensive and have become a favorite target for individuals who might not have your best interests in mind. I am not an expert on various lock choices (though these folks seem to be). All I want to point out is that your precious e-bike WILL disappear if you don’t take proper precautions. I carry a cable lock whenever I plan to leave my e-bike unattended, even for a short period of time. You should do to same…