| Bike carriers are becoming increasingly popular as | | | | you. The importance of correct fitting can't be over |
| more and more people want to take to cycling for | | | | emphasised. Just imagine the consequences of a bike |
| exercise and as a most enjoyable way of getting | | | | rack falling of the back of a car on a motorway, or |
| about. Cycling to and from work to save on fuel | | | | four bikes falling off the carrier! |
| costs and carbon footprint is a great way to make | | | | Once you have a bike carrier correctly fitted to your |
| use of your bike but there's so much more you can | | | | car it just remains to make sure the bikes are |
| do with it in your leisure time. | | | | properly secured to the carrier. Many modern bike |
| If you want to venture further afield than your local | | | | carriers have very simple clamp devices to do this |
| rides you really need to take your bike by car to a | | | | which makes it much easier for you when loading and |
| suitable starting off point. Cars that can carry a | | | | unloading. If straps are used it's very important to |
| family of four, say, with their bikes as well are pretty | | | | check them for tightness at frequent intervals on |
| thin on the ground! However an average car with a | | | | your journey. |
| cycle carrier fitted will do just that. | | | | Safety isn't just about preventing bikes from being |
| Bike carriers leave the interior of the car for people | | | | scattered all over the road amongst the traffic |
| and can take several bikes if you buy the right one. | | | | though. There's your safety when loading and |
| You'll have to decide whether you want a roof | | | | unloading to think about. This goes right back to the |
| mounted bike rack or one that fits on the back of | | | | original debate about whether to go for a roof |
| the car. A rear mounted bike rack may be of the | | | | mounted carrier or a rear mounted one. |
| strap on type or towbar mounted. | | | | If you're contemplating a roof carrier you need to |
| Whichever type you prefer safety is a major factor | | | | consider several factors. How high is your car roof |
| to take into account. In comparative tests both roof | | | | from the ground? How tall are the people who'll be |
| mounted and towbar mounted bike carriers score | | | | lifting the bikes on and off? How strong are they? |
| well for overall safety. | | | | Remember, if you're of average height you'll be lifting |
| Safety is usually regarded as being a matter of | | | | bikes above your head. That could be a very easy |
| secure fixing, both of the bike rack to the car and | | | | way to injure your back or shoulders. |
| the bikes to the bike rack, coupled with the strength | | | | A lot of modern bikes are much lighter than the older |
| of the carrier or rack. The easiest way to be sure of | | | | models were but not all. Mountain bikes can be quite |
| all three factors is to buy the best quality bike rack | | | | chunky! Safety's all about avoiding injuries to yourself |
| you can and make sure you follow the fitting | | | | and other people and lifting is one of commonest |
| instructions to the letter. A Thule bike carrier for | | | | ways of injuring oneself. |
| example is one you could choose with complete | | | | Safety's best achieved, not by reams of paperwork |
| confidence and you'll get easy to follow instructions | | | | and rigid rules but by thinking about what you're |
| with it. | | | | going to do before you do it and of course by |
| If you have any doubts about your ability to fit your | | | | applying good old common sense. Think it through |
| Thule bike carrier yourself the dealer will do it for | | | | and you should be okay! |