Taking your bike places
Published 12 May 2011
A beginner’s guide to taking your bike by car
It’s great to go for a bike ride straight from home. But travelling with your bike to friends or family; the seaside or the countryside opens up a whole new world of bike riding. And if you’ve never transported your bike by car, you might find it’s easier than you think. There are different options depending on your car; your budget; and how many bikes you might want to take.
In the boot
It’s quick and fairly convenient if your car is big enough. The obvious drawback to this is that space may be limited, especially if you have to transport bikes for the whole family. Top tip: see if your bike has ‘quick release’ levers on the front wheel (your local bike shop can advise). These mean you can pop the front wheel off fairly easily, making it simpler to get your bike in and out.
Boot-mounted cycle carriers
Using a boot-mounted carrier seems to be the most common way to transport your bike. Kits are readily available at most cycle shops – they’re really easy to fit, but your shop may offer a fitting service too. In most cases the racks rest on the back door of your car, with straps securing it to the bodywork. The bikes hang from the carrier. Most are designed to carry up to three or four bikes and are relatively inexpensive at around £40. Do note that if the rack blocks your vehicle lights and / or number plate then you’re required by law to use another lighting kit / number plate.
Roof-mounted cycle carriers
A good alternative to boot-mounting is to consider a roof carrier. There are different ways to mount your bikes on the roof, but they all require your car to have roof bars. You may have seen the various different carrier styles, including those where the front wheel is removed or the bike sits upside down. You should expect to pay around £60 for a roof-mounted carrier. Remember to look out for low bridges, car park barriers and the garage door though!
Towbar-mounted cycle carriers
If your vehicle is fitted with a towbar then there are also racks that can clamp to these. Much like the boot-mounted carriers the bikes then hang from a rack at the rear of the car. Most of these carriers can hold up to four bikes. Prices range considerably from £40 up to £400. Once again, you’ll need another lighting kit / number plate if the carrier and bikes block sight of the ones on your vehicle.
Trailers
Finally, you might consider a bike trailer if you have a larger number of bikes to transport. These generally fit in between 6 to 12 bikes and would be suitable perhaps for a cycling group or larger family. Prices start at around £400. Many families and groups of friends share the use of trailer as you’re unlikely to use it every week.
