How do I pack my bike safely?
5min read
10/08/2020
Germans are a keen traveller. In 2018, they set a new record. Never before have so many Germans packed their bags as last year. According to the Tourism Analysis 2019, almost two thirds of all German citizens went on a trip. And they are increasingly enjoying the “best time of the year” in the saddle of a bicycle. Since a long-distance trip is out of the question for many this year, holiday destinations in one’s own country are being discovered, with the greatest preference also by bicycle. But how do you pack your bike to get it safely from A to B?
Cycling tourism is booming in Germany
The Allgemeiner Deutscher Fahrrad-Club (ADFC) reports an increase of 27 percent in bicycle travellers for 2018 compared to the previous year. Another trend is contributing to this: The number of e-bikes also increased strongly. Around a quarter of cycling holidaymakers like to use the technical support. Twelve months earlier, it was only 18 percent.
Regardless of whether travellers rely on pure muscle power or pedal with e-assistance, both have a challenge to overcome: How do you transport your bike from home to your holiday destination? How should I pack the bicycle?
How do I pack my bike safely?
The answer to the question of the best form of packaging for a bicycle may be: by printing a TV on the box. At least that is the experience of the Dutch bicycle company Vanmoof. It also sells its bicycles in the USA. A loss-making business, because the bikes often arrived damaged at the customer. The solution: “Let’s print a TV on the packaging.” No sooner said than done, and lo and behold – complaints dropped by 80 per cent. The explanation: in the United States, a big-screen TV enjoys a higher status than a bicycle, and the parcel carriers take correspondingly more care when delivering it.
Handing over your bike for transport? Hard to do!
Here are a few tips on how it can survive the “separation”…
Basic rules for transport
This may be an extreme case, but it is still worthwhile to approach the topic of transport and packaging with the necessary care. Bag, suitcase or cardboard box – these are the three ways to get the bike safely to its destination. There are a few basic rules that need to be observed- Unscrew the pedals completely or turn them inwards
- Position the handlebars at right angles to the direction of travel
- Let the air out of the tyres
- Remove the front wheel
- Unscrew additional equipment such as water bottles or GPS computers.
- Do not forget an air pump and tools to restore the bike to its original condition.
Which packaging material is recommended?
The best way to protect the frame from scratches is to use O-profiles or U-profiles made of foam. About four metres of these are needed. Cardboard boxes or polystyrene serve as spacers between the frame and the dismounted front wheel. In this way, the front wheel can be fixed to the frame with a cable tie without scratching it. Wrap the other dismantled parts in bubble wrap. This also applies to sensitive parts such as the chain and saddle. In the next step, attach loose parts and cables to the handlebars or frame using a hand stretch film and, if necessary, insert bubble wrap in between for protection. Now everything is ready. Now pack the packed bicycle in a box, bag or suitcase. Make sure that nothing slips and that everything is tight. If necessary, help it along with additional cardboard, spacers and bubble wrap. Finally, seal the box with adhesive tape and apply the appropriate information label. An alternative? Rather not 🙂Different rules apply everywhere
The type of packaging always depends on the means of transport. Airlines have the strictest regulations. Lufthansa, for example, only accepts bicycles that are packed in a suitable bicycle case or similar container. Rail and bus offer different transport options. Both offer the possibility of checking in the bicycle “unpacked” or as special luggage. Therefore, always study and book the various options and offers a few weeks before the start of your journey. Don’t forget: there are currently no fixed rules for transporting e-bikes.How much does it cost to take a bike with you?
The following overview of costs are standard prices for the various means of transport. However, the actual prices may differ from those shown. For example, various federal states and transport associations offer special rates for local public transport. Similarly, in air travel, both the costs and the guidelines differ between airlines. No matter which means of transport you choose, one thing is very important: inform yourself in good time.| Rail – long distance | 8 Euro | One way |
| Rail – local traffic | between 0 and 4,50 Euro, depending on the federal state | Single ticket |
| Lufthansa national | 70 Euro | One-way flight |
| Lufthansa – Europe | 80 Euro | One way flight |
| Flixbus | 9 Euro | One-way trip |
