Advice for e-bike holiday cottages

E-bikes are becoming ever more popular, with many guests bringing them on holiday so they can explore the local area in an easy and sustainable way. Accommodating e-bikes at your property is a great way to appeal to a broader range of visitors and can be as simple as providing information on popular local trails, storage for bikes, and appropriate charging facilities for batteries.

To make the most of the growing demand for e-bikes, here are some top tips to consider….

(E-bike pictured: Temple Step Through Electric) 

Policy

Including a policy for guests with e-bikes helps to create some best practices that guests can follow during their stay. We have created an e-bike charging policy that outlines the benchmark for charging e-bike batteries. This is saved in your Owner Portal under Useful Information. 

Insurance

Some insurance providers specifically prohibit the charging of e-bikes, so we recommend checking your policy details, and if you’re not covered for this, we can add a note to your description to let guests know. 

If you are covered by your insurers, we recommend including an e-bike charging policy in your Cottage Information Folder (see above). If you do allow the charging of e-bikes, you should ensure that your precautions to reduce the likelihood of an incident are included in your Fire Risk Assessment.

Charging

E-bikes are powered by lithium-ion batteries, which are the most commonly used batteries in many electronic devices such as smartphones, laptops, and electric vehicles. They offer high energy density and longer-lasting powers.

Providing safe, secure, and easily accessible charging points (which is simply a designated wall socket) is key when accommodating guests with e-bikes, as it protects both you and the guest from potential hazards such as fire. Here are four  things to consider: 

1. Ensure there is good ventilation surrounding the charging point

2. Keep the space uncluttered and away from flammable materials

3. If possible, position near a smoke alarm and/or fire extinguisher

4. If possible, provide an external, weather-proof socket as they are naturally more ventilated

Storage

While not as essential as providing adequate charging facilities, offering guests safe storage for their e-bikes and bikes adds additional selling points to your property. Storage solutions, if bikes are not able or accepted to be kept indoors, can be as simple or as expansive as you like. There are many excellent compact storage options available for outdoor spaces, or the simple act of providing guests with a padlock can make a difference to their stay.

Washing

While fun, cycling can be messy work, especially when guests visit during off peak seasons. This is a great opportunity to shout about any facilities that will benefit cyclists, from outdoor taps and hoses to wash rooms and boot rooms.

Finishing touches

Here at Classic, we are all about those finishing touches that turn a holiday into a treasured memory. For e-bike and cycling holidays, we recommend including information on the following in your welcome pack: 

1. Local cycle paths and trails, including a mix of off and on-road routes (and any cafés people might enjoy en-route).

2. Bike hire services where people can hire bikes and e-bikes during their stay. There are some that even deliver and collect the bikes from the cottage.

3. Local shops/cafés and restaurants where guests can charge their bikes while out and about. 

Speak to us

If you have any questions about how to make your property e-bike friendly, our lovely owner support team is happy to help. You can email us at owner.support@classic.co.uk.

Overall, welcoming guests with e-bikes and ensuring they have everything they need for a memorable stay is a great way to broaden your property’s offering while encouraging repeat bookings.