The pandemic and the popularity of cycling events such as the Tour de France and the Olympics, it is unsurprising to hear that bike sales in the UK have massively increased. UK bike sales in 2020 increased 22 per cent compared to 2019.
The data also suggests that a quarter of adults who bought a bike for themselves, were first time cyclists or had restarted their interest during the pandemic. Whilst sales of mountain and road bikes had increased, the area that saw large growth were electric bikes with 70 per cent in sales in 2020.
31 per cent of adults in the UK cycle and around a fifth of these people get on their bike at least once a week. We all had different reasons for a new bike purchase, from taking up a new hobby; something fun to do with the family; keeping fit; or traveling to work to avoid public transport.
The pandemic also encouraged more of us to holiday in the UK and this meant many of us wanted to take our new bikes with us. But with limited space in the car what options do we have for transporting our bikes on our next holiday? We explore the types of bike carriers you can purchase from Motoringparts.com today.
These style of bike carriers are designed to fit onto the tow ball fitted to your car. There are different styles of carriers suitable for carrying 2, 3 or even 4 bikes, so ideal for families. Modern bike carriers have a tilt function, allowing the owner to access the boot when the carrier is fitted.
However, there are some points to consider. If you have a tow ball fitted, we must assume you tow a caravan or trailer, so you would need another option such as roof mounted carriers instead.
If you are one of the many people who have invested in an electric bike in the last 12 months, you will need a suitable carrier. E-bikes can be heavier in weight than road or mountain bikes, so this needs to be a factor when looking at the safety approved load. You do not want to overload the tow ball.
These type of carriers are less bulky than towball mounted carriers and are designed to carry up to 3 bikes on the back of your car or camper van. They are ideal if you don’t have a tow ball or don’t want to fit bikes to the roof, especially on a SUV.
There are again points to consider such as if your vehicle has a spoiler fitted, as it will not take the weight of the carrier. The carrier must be fitted properly and securely using all the straps provided. It might also be useful to have a bike frame holder to secure ladies and kids bikes to the carrier.
When using a rear mounted carrier it is a legal requirement to use a lighting board if the rear lights and number plate are obstructed.
If you already have roof bars fitted you can fit single bike carriers. The carriers are suitable for a wide variety of bikes with various tyre widths. Ensure that all straps provided are used to sure the bike to the carrier. If you have a trailer and depending on the brand, you can purchase load bars which allow you to mount and fit bike carriers to it.
If you do have a high vehicle such as an SUV or 4×4, you will need a step or two people to help get the bike on the roof. You will also need to consider the weight of the bikes and carrier to avoid going over the roof bars safety approved load.