Bike racks are an exciting invention for bike enthusiasts. They allow riders to carry their bikes along with them and enjoy riding no matter where they go. But for many, the idea of transporting their bikes for long distances can be a little bit scary.
After all, you don’t want to take risks with your precious two-wheeled steeds. Further, before boarding your bike on a bike rack, you should know a few facts and concerns.
This guide will look at everything you need to know about safely transporting your bike rack on a long-distance drive.
Are Bike Racks Safe for Long-distance Travel
Generally, a bike rack is safe for long-distance travel if it is well fastened and done right.
Bike racks come in many different styles, sizes, and shapes, and choosing a bike rack that fits your vehicle and meets all safety standards is important. Some bike racks are less stable than others when carrying bikes over long distances.
If you are planning on going on a long trip with your bikes, you may want to consider another type of bike rack that is more stable for such distances.
One of the best suitable is a hitch mount rack. It is easy to install and remove the rack, so it is perfect for people who do not want to spend too much time installing it in their vehicles. Additionally, it has an integrated locking mechanism that keeps your bike safe when traveling by car.
Also, this rack can restrain your bike well so that it does not move while being towed by a car or van. A hitch mount rack also comes with a locking cable securing both wheels and frames together so that your bike does not come loose from its place during the journey.
Is It Safe To Drive On The Highway With A Bike Rack?
In most cases, driving on the highway with a bike rack is perfectly safe. However, some factors can increase the danger for drivers and passengers, thus making it unsafe.
Firstly, you have to drive slower than other traffic on the road. This is because you must keep an eye on your bike rack and ensure it’s attached properly. If you’re driving too fast, you might not be able to stop in time if something goes wrong.
Read this article on how fast you can drive with a bike rack
Also, the bike rack itself obstructs your rearview mirror. This means that you can’t see what’s happening behind your car. Finally, driving on the highway with a bike rack might be unsafe if you have a small car with a small weight or height capacity. The same goes for larger vehicles like trucks and SUVs that can hold more bikes but may not be able to handle them safely on the road.
Nevertheless, the most important thing to remember about driving with a bike rack is that it needs to be secured appropriately. The most common way of doing this is by tying it down or locking it into place with locks from either side of your car.
Can You Use A Bike Rack On The Motorway
It is possible to use a bike rack on the motorway. It is, however, illegal to do so.
The Highway Code states that you must not use a trailer hitch or bike rack unless it has been specifically designed for that purpose. This is because it could damage your vehicle and affect its handling. However, you can use a roof box or bars to take a bike on the motorway. These are designed for this purpose and will not adversely affect your car’s performance or handling.
Further, you must purchase a tow bar and fit it into your car. The tow bar must be attached to your car with a hitch pin and clip. Finally, you can attach your bike rack to the tow bar using the appropriate fittings on both parts.
Safety concerns are the main reason for not using bike racks on the motorways. If you used one and something went wrong, your bike would fall off the back of your vehicle and cause severe damage or injury to other drivers or pedestrians nearby. This would be especially bad if it happened when there was traffic behind you, as they would not be able to stop before hitting your vehicle.
How To Secure Bike Rack for Long-distance Travel
Here are some ways to secure your bike rack when traveling.
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Use a locking hitch pin
The hitch pin is one of the most secure methods of securing a bike rack. It’s a steel bar that has been bent into a U shape and has a hole drilled through it. To use this pin, you fit it into the hitch receiver on your car and then put the bolt through it to secure it.
The hitch pin has a very low profile, so you can’t see it from outside your vehicle. This makes it a very secure method where only you will know about it unless someone gets inside your car and looks closely at it. This means that potential thieves won’t even know about this method of securing bikes on long road trips.
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Locking shank
It is a locking mechanism that has been integrated into the rack, providing an added layer of security. It can only be unlocked with a unique key or keycard.
The locking shank is lightweight and easy to install, making it ideal for those who travel often. It also offers excellent protection against theft, making it harder for thieves to steal your bike rack.
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Ratchets and bungee cords
Ratchets are the simplest type of strap. They have a hook on one end and a buckle on the other. You loop the belt around your bike rack and tighten it with the pin until it is snug against the rack’s frame.
On the other hand, bungee cords are made from an elastic cord that features spring-loaded hooks on each end. You attach the hooks to either side of your car or truck’s roof racks and then stretch out the bungees until they’re taut enough to secure themselves against the rack’s frame without slipping off too easily when you hit bumps.
