Tips for Transporting Your Bicycle Overseas
There are numerous bicycling festivals overseas on Europe and Asia. If you are a bicycling enthusiast, attending one of these festivals may be a dream of yours, and it is definitely a great way to see the world while also cycling. There is one challenge, however. How do you get your bicycle overseas safely?
The best way to get your bike to your destination safely is to check it as a piece of luggage at the airport. Here are a few tips that will help you in this endeavor.
1. Have a Custom Box Made
There are pre-made bike boxes that you can buy, but the problem is that the foam on the inside may not be cut to perfectly conform to your bike's unique shape. So, a better approach is to reach out to a company that makes custom foam packages and boxes. They can measure your bike and custom make a foam insert that fits exactly around your bike inside a bike box. This may seem like a large investment, but a well-made, foam-padded bike box can be used again and again. You can even use it if you ever need to store your bike.
2. Call the Airline About Weight and Size Restrictions
Each airline has weight and size restrictions for their checked items. Before you book a flight, call the airlines you are considering using, and make sure your bike fits within their restrictions. Most airlines will allow you to check an item that exceeds their restrictions, but they will charge you an arm and a leg to do so. It's worth your while to measure and weigh your bike—inside the specialty bike box—and then find an airline that will ship that size item without overcharging you.
3. Pay for Insurance
You would not be the first person to have a bike stolen at the airport, unfortunately. A thief would not have to take the bike out of the box to steal it, so a lock won't do you much good. What you can do is pay for insurance on the bike—either through the airline or through a third party. If for some reason you arrive at your destination and your bike is not there, the insurance will reimburse you for the cost of the bike and the box.
Don't let fear of shipping your bike keep you from traveling with it! With a custom box and the tips above, you'll be ready for whatever vacation brings.
