by Stefan Dorner, maut1.de - 30 April 2024
Hello legs! Spring marks the start of the cycling season. Many people set off by car to the most beautiful spots - whether at the weekend or on holiday. maut1.de provides important tips for the safe transport of your bikes.
Rear, roof or boot?
There are various ways to take your bike with you in the car. The safest and most convenient is a bike rack, which can be attached to the rear of the vehicle on a towbar. The bikes can be easily mounted and securely fastened there. What's more, you hardly notice them while driving because they offer little air resistance.
If you don't have a trailer coupling, you can transport your bikes with a rear carrier, which is attached to the boot. Disadvantage: The bikes obstruct the driver's entire view through the rear window.
Another option is roof racks. However, this is particularly difficult with larger and heavier bikes and can only be done properly by strong and tall people. In addition, the wheels on the roof cause strong air resistance, which affects the driving characteristics and, above all, the fuel consumption of the car. Caution is also required when driving into (underground) garages and low subways: Here you must not forget that the wheels are on the roof.
In general: When travelling by bike on or with a car, do not exceed 120 km/h, drive with foresight and avoid abrupt braking and acceleration.
Another option for transporting one or two bikes is, of course, the boot if the rear seats are not needed for passengers. The bicycle can be loaded via the folded down rear seat. However, it is strongly recommended that the interior is covered with blankets to prevent damage and scratches.
Important: Be sure to strap the wheels on or secure them with an expander to prevent them from sliding and flying around during abrupt braking manoeuvres. Another disadvantage of transporting the bike in the boot is that after a tour in the rain or through puddles, you have to lift the dirt into the car with the bike.
Conclusion: If you are able to fit a bike rack to a towbar, it is definitely worthwhile purchasing one.
And now there are more tips on fastening:
Pay attention to quality when buying
Invest in a high-quality bike rack that is suitable for your car or bike. These are available from two to four carriers. Test reports provide a good indication of which model is suitable and experience shows that it is better to invest a few euros more in a good product rather than a cheap one!
Checking the fastening: Make sure that your bike is properly secured to the bike carrier. Use additional straps to secure the bike and prevent it from slipping during the journey. It is best to lock the bikes when you set off to prevent them from being stolen, e.g. during a (short break) at a service station!
For rear carriers, always attach the electronic connector to the trailer coupling and check that the tail lights, brake lights and indicators are working properly before setting off.
Important: It is mandatory to mount a licence plate on the rear carrier. Here you can either remount the one from the boot or get a replacement plate that can remain permanently on the carrier (available online from just 5 euros).
In addition, warning signs are mandatory in some countries such as Italy and Spain. However, these are also worthwhile here for better visibility and do not cost much.
Protect your bike from damage
Use suitable protective covers or padding to protect your bike from scratches and damage during transport. Especially in heavy rain showers, water can otherwise get into the brakes and gears, which is not good for the bike. Also make sure that the pedals and handlebars do not come into direct contact with several wheels. This can cause nasty scratches.
Regularly check the condition of the bike carrier and the attachment to ensure that everything is in order. A quick check at every break ensures a relaxed journey without having to constantly think about your valuable cargo!
With this in mind: Hello to the legs!
maut1.de wishes you a relaxed cycling season!
.webp?1719437796)