It’s important to be safe when you’re riding a bike on vacation. From using hand signals to wearing a helmet, being safe can save you from having to work with a bicycle accident attorney when you should be enjoying your vacation, but riding a bike on vacation isn’t all about safety. It’s about ease too!
Although you may think that renting a car or calling an Uber is the easiest way to get around at your destination, riding a bike can also be an effective mode of transportation. Here are tips that will make riding a bike when you’re traveling a lot easier.
Choose the Right Destination
Before you make too many plans to ride a bike while you’re on vacation, it’s important to consider your destination very carefully. Some vacation spots are more bike-friendly than others.
Bike-friendly cities tend to be dense, which means you don’t have far to ride as you’re exploring the area. They tend to have bike lanes with many residents who regularly ride bikes as well.
If you want riding a bike to be part of your vacation experience, there are places around the world that are friendly to beginning bikers. Just a few destinations include:
- Puglia, Italy
- Champagne, France
- Lake Constance, Austria
- Dalmatian Coast, Croatia
- Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Onomichi, Japan
Take Your Own Bike, if You’re Able
Packing light is often a good idea, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you should leave everything you can at home. If you plan on doing a lot of bike riding while you’re away, you may want to consider taking your own bike.
This is easiest to do if you’re packing up the car for a road trip. Purchase a sturdy bike rack and attach it to the back of your vehicle so you can easily transport your bike wherever you go.
If you plan on traveling another way, you can still pack up and take your bike with you. All bicycles can be taken apart and shipped to your destination, but they can also be taken apart and placed inside luggage so your bike can be placed on the plane.
Think Outside the Box When Renting a Bike
Popular vacation destinations and bike-friendly cities usually make it easy to rent a bicycle if you decide you don’t want to bring one with you. Just make sure you do your research before you leave so you don’t assume it’s easy to rent a bike and find out it’s not.
You should also think outside the box when renting a bike. If you plan on renting a bike for days or weeks at a time, it may cost less money to purchase a bicycle second-hand instead of renting one. If you know anyone in the area, you can also consider asking if you can borrow their bike during your stay. Travel forums are a great place to find cheap used bikes and bikes you can borrow.
Make a Plan for Transporting Items
If you’re going to spend a lot of time riding a bike when you’re on vacation, you can bet that you’ll be carrying around a lot of stuff with you. Whether it’s your purse and a water bottle or you want to do a little shopping and bring your finds back to your hotel, it’s a good idea to have a plan for transporting items.
Wearing a backpack is an easy way to transport items, but if you don’t want to make your back sore carrying items around all day, consider a bike basket or removable bicycle bags.
Pack the Right Outfits
If you’re going on vacation, you may have your mind set on flip flops and flowing maxi dresses. However, if you’re planning on riding a bike, you will have to think more carefully about the outfits you pack.
That doesn’t mean you have to wear spandex biking shorts and T-shirts every day! There are plenty of cute biking outfits you can wear that will ensure you are comfortable and you look great at the same time. You can even ride in a dress, as long as you pack the right kind of dress!
Rental cars, cabs, and buses will always be great options for people who need to get around on vacation, but don’t automatically dismiss bicycles if you’re looking for an easy way to get around. With the tips on this list, you can get around conveniently and for less money while getting exercise and going green at the same time!
Five Tips That Will Make Riding a Bike When You’re on Vacation Easier
It’s important to be safe when you’re riding a bike on vacation. From using hand signals to wearing a helmet, being safe can save you from having to work with a bicycle accident attorney when you should be enjoying your vacation, but riding a bike on vacation isn’t all about safety. It’s about ease too!
Although you may think that renting a car or calling an Uber is the easiest way to get around at your destination, riding a bike can also be an effective mode of transportation. Here are tips that will make riding a bike when you’re traveling a lot easier.
Choose the Right Destination
Before you make too many plans to ride a bike while you’re on vacation, it’s important to consider your destination very carefully. Some vacation spots are more bike-friendly than others.
Bike-friendly cities tend to be dense, which means you don’t have far to ride as you’re exploring the area. They tend to have bike lanes with many residents who regularly ride bikes as well.
If you want riding a bike to be part of your vacation experience, there are places around the world that are friendly to beginning bikers. Just a few destinations include:
- Puglia, Italy
- Champagne, France
- Lake Constance, Austria
- Dalmatian Coast, Croatia
- Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Onomichi, Japan
Take Your Own Bike, if You’re Able
Packing light is often a good idea, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you should leave everything you can at home. If you plan on doing a lot of bike riding while you’re away, you may want to consider taking your own bike.
This is easiest to do if you’re packing up the car for a road trip. Purchase a sturdy bike rack and attach it to the back of your vehicle so you can easily transport your bike wherever you go.
If you plan on traveling another way, you can still pack up and take your bike with you. All bicycles can be taken apart and shipped to your destination, but they can also be taken apart and placed inside luggage so your bike can be placed on the plane.
Think Outside the Box When Renting a Bike
Popular vacation destinations and bike-friendly cities usually make it easy to rent a bicycle if you decide you don’t want to bring one with you. Just make sure you do your research before you leave so you don’t assume it’s easy to rent a bike and find out it’s not.
You should also think outside the box when renting a bike. If you plan on renting a bike for days or weeks at a time, it may cost less money to purchase a bicycle second-hand instead of renting one. If you know anyone in the area, you can also consider asking if you can borrow their bike during your stay. Travel forums are a great place to find cheap used bikes and bikes you can borrow.
Make a Plan for Transporting Items
If you’re going to spend a lot of time riding a bike when you’re on vacation, you can bet that you’ll be carrying around a lot of stuff with you. Whether it’s your purse and a water bottle or you want to do a little shopping and bring your finds back to your hotel, it’s a good idea to have a plan for transporting items.
Wearing a backpack is an easy way to transport items, but if you don’t want to make your back sore carrying items around all day, consider a bike basket or removable bicycle bags.
Pack the Right Outfits
If you’re going on vacation, you may have your mind set on flip flops and flowing maxi dresses. However, if you’re planning on riding a bike, you will have to think more carefully about the outfits you pack.
That doesn’t mean you have to wear spandex biking shorts and T-shirts every day! There are plenty of cute biking outfits you can wear that will ensure you are comfortable and you look great at the same time. You can even ride in a dress, as long as you pack the right kind of dress!
Rental cars, cabs, and buses will always be great options for people who need to get around on vacation, but don’t automatically dismiss bicycles if you’re looking for an easy way to get around. With the tips on this list, you can get around conveniently and for less money while getting exercise and going green at the same time!