How to transport an Xtracycle by car, truck, bus, plane, ferry, and bike
CARS, VANS, TRUCKS
The EdgeRunner, with Hooptie, U-Tubes and front wheel removed will fit in the back of most vans with the third row folded down or removed. It will also fit sideways in most station wagons if the rear seat is down. If those two aren't options, a tandem length roof rack is the next best solution. This works for standard 2/4 door cars as well, but if you have a hatchback make sure that the rear door will clear the end of a tandem length tray. See Thule and RockyMounts for tandem trays, and Thule, Yakima, or your cars manufacturer for roof rack availability.
Putting a bike on the roof of your car is inherently risky - be careful not to injure yourself lifting (team lift recommended)the bike, and always remove the bags before driving.
**Rear mounted bike carriers are not recommended for the EdgeRunner! The EdgeRunner is longer than most cars are wide, and strap on rear carriers are generally not rated for the weight of a fully kitted out EdgeRunner.** Most hitch-mounted rear tray style bike racks are also not suitable due to the bike's wheelbase, but we have found that a rear cargo basket with an added fork block makes a great carrier - removing the front wheel and reversing the fork brings the bike's length down, and the rear wheel of the bike can be easily secured to the basket.
Trucks can totally carry an EdgeRunner. We use a carshare Toyota Tacoma with a standard length bed and can get 3-4 EdgeRunners in there at a time. The key tips are: tail in first! Pad the back of the bed to keep the tailpiece of the bike from getting dinged. Once the bike is in, secure it with the front wheel on the open tailgate, or with the front wheel turned and the tailgate closed. The seat rails are a convenient place to hook tiedowns onto.
BUSES
Most bus front trays are too short to easily accommodate a longtail.
That said, you can remove the front wheel, put the fork in the tray, and secure the bike using the J-bar over the top-tube, as shown at right. See full instructions at: Aaron's Bike Repair - Xtracycle (Third party site).
Bus rear racks (the hanging kind) work great. Just hang it up like you would any other bike.
Internal bus cargo compartments are a mixed bag - some lines will let you bring your bike, others won't, and none will guarantee what shape your bike will be in at the end of the trip. Ask the bus company what their regulations are well in advance.
PLANES
Planes are great, and terrible, for carrying bikes. Different carriers have different fees, but the general rule is to pack the bike as if you were shipping it via Ground - Sturdy cardboard box, lots of padding, and all pieces well secured. If packed well, the EdgeRunner can be carried on many domestic and international flights, but again, make sure to check your carriers specific regulations for box sizes and weights. Note: Electric bikes use Lithium batteries, generally of a wattage that precludes carrying them on planes. Check with the carrier for their specific regulations.
FERRIES
Most car ferries have no problem taking a bike, electric or not. Check with the operator for their specific rules, and where to board. Passenger only ferries will often allow bike, including e-bikes and tandems if space allows. Again, make sure to check with the operator for their rules. (The Blue and Gold ferry in the San Francisco Bay Area does allow electric cargo bikes, I've checked.)
BIKES
The easiest way to transport a cargo bike a short distance is to tow it with another cargo bike. :)
ONE LAST NOTE:
Many motorcycle towing companies will happily move an E-Cargo bike for you, and will have quite reasonable rates. If you're car-free or car-lite, or your car is busted, and you need to get your bike serviced, motorcycle towing companies are a great opti