No matter what type of bike rack you have chosen, when going on vacation, it will be necessary to be careful of the conduct to take to be serious. A vehicle with a bike carrier is not driven in the same way as without a bike carrier. It is for this reason that each person is expected to have a great responsibility to avoid creating disturbances on public roads.
The holidays are often conducive to this type of event: the overload of the vehicle with the business of each, the 2 or 3 children … The car quickly becomes full. The weight of a bike and/or a roof box can seriously affect the ability to ride safely. A heavy car does not stop like a light car. There are several precautions to take into account to avoid creating a huge mistake.
In this article, we will give you many tips to avoid having problems and the different precautions to take into consideration to not receive a fine, when returning from vacation.
How to drive with a bike carrier without problems?
First of all, we must remember that there are 4 types of bike carriers. There is one that is placed only inside certain vehicles. We are going to start on three different types of bike racks, the aim of which is to provide an effective solution for the driver who wants to go on a mop with his or her bikes.
The roof rack is certainly the most dangerous element in some situations. This is particularly the case when there is a lot of wind. The management of aerodynamics is far from being of high quality with 1, 2, 3 or 4 bikes on the roof. The wind will rush everywhere and it will slow down your car. If you are unaware of this, it can be a hazard in braking management or on some steep hill climbs.
To ride quietly with a bike rack with rails that tighten on the roof, it is important to secure all bikes securely so that they can not move and fall, either forward when braking or in back in the climb of a coast or its descent.
For the other bike carriers, the difficulty is much less important, as for the system which is placed on a ball of coupling. The consequences will be almost the same as with a bike rack that will be placed on the trunk of the car. These are usually the wheels that will exceed the width of the vehicle that may cause some problems. In this case, the first thing to do is to prevent the wheels from spinning with speed. A simple strap will do the trick and the vehicle ahead will not be disturbed in its conduct. The second action to be performed is especially valid for the night when the brightness is low. We will specify that it is not because you have planned to leave by day, that you will be able to be sure of returning by day. Just have in his car, a small device to be seen. This lighting system must be waterproof and be closer to the car that will follow you, so it can better calculate and effectively manage its safety distances. By realizing this little trick, you will avoid having damaged bikes (in the case of a low pace) or a serious accident (for higher speeds). This can be a reassuring element, that of placing reflectors on the wheels of bicycles so that they are reflected with the headlights of other vehicles. If, however, you do not have this light device, it will imperatively be necessary to put the number plate. It includes a reflective material to be seen. But it’s much less effective than a flashing red light.
The last advice we can bring is to be serene in his behavior and to redouble his vigilance. Do not lower your guard, respect the Highway Code and do not hesitate to take breaks to avoid all the small errors of inattention. Finally, it is best to wear reflective clothing, such as reflective vests.