Ground transportation is honestly the easiest way to travel when you carry something like an electric skateboard. There aren’t too many regulations regarding what you can bring onto a bus or train. There are some rules, but they’re not as heavily enforced as they are on an aeroplane.
You don’t really have to worry too much about the size of your board, the batteries of your board, or anything like that. And if you drive yourself and put the board in your trunk, you can pretty much go anywhere. Travelling on the road is definitely the easiest way to do it.
In this post, we will discuss the main issues you might encounter with carrying an electric skateboard while travelling by air. Let’s dive in.
This post is part of our travel advice series
Battery Problems
Travelling with electric skateboards from Australia or the U.S can really become a task. Some countries have exceptionally strict norms when it comes to airport security.
The biggest issue while flying with an electric skateboard is the battery. Airport authorities have a lot of rules for carrying batteries, mainly because these things tend to burst up into flames in rare scenarios.
So the best thing you can do is to see if your battery is rated under 100Wh, which is pretty much accepted everywhere. Definitely check out the rules and regulations regarding lithium batteries.
Also, note that generally, you cannot leave your batteries inside your check-in baggage. You have to put them in your carry-on backpack.
Board Problems
As for bringing a board with you inside an aircraft, it’s best to have something small like a penny board or cruiser board or something that folds. There are a couple of different options you could choose from.
Nonetheless, always expect to be stopped by airport security staff when you travel with an electric skateboard, especially if you carry it in the open. All these extra fittings such as the battery hub, folding system or the electric drivetrain can all seem a little sketchy.
The best thing you can do is call ahead, get a hold of the airline and ask questions. See if you can bring a skateboard in and try to get approval if need be.
Alternative Ways To Travel With An Electric Skateboard
Another way to travel with your board is to ship your board over to your destination. But be sure to call ahead and talk to the shipping company of your choice. Ask them if they can ship an electric skateboard either by air or ground, whichever is more viable.
And the last thing is maybe just don’t fly with your board. If you’re worried or you don’t want to risk it, don’t fly with your board. You can always look up online to see if there are electric skateboard rental services in the area you’re going to.
If you’re travelling to a major city, you will most likely find rental scooters provided by ride-sharing companies like Lime or Bird.
To Summarise
Oftentimes, travelling with something as large as a skateboard can be a daunting experience. It only gets worse when it is electrically powered or has batteries attached to them. Pretty much every airline in the world has strict norms about travelling with battery-powered equipment.
But as long as you follow the rules, you should be good to go. For instance, pretty much all airlines allow batteries that are rated under 100Wh. Of course, there are certain conditions. Be sure to check for those conditions beforehand.
Also, if you’re going to carry your board onto a plane, try to be discreet with it. If it’s a longboard, try to pack it in a longboard bag. If you can’t fit the board in a bag, you can check it in as long as you get a board bag. If you can find a bag big enough that can fit your set-up, you should be able to check your stuff if there’s no battery in it.
If you adhere to safety norms and are packed up well, travelling with your electric skateboard shouldn’t be that big of a hassle. It’s always nice when both you and your beloved skateboard make it to the destination in one piece!
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