If you are a bike lover, you will know how frustrating it can be to have your bike damaged by simply forgetting that it is on your car roof.
My friend had a similar experience when he put his bike on his roof, and he always took extra care to make sure that the bike did not fall off.
After getting back from a cycling trip with friends that fateful day, he made his way home after having a few drinks with friends after the cycling trip.
Upon reaching his garage, he forgot that he had his bike on the roof and drove under it without realizing he had it there.
There is no need for you to guess what happened. His windscreen, his bike, and the garage door all got damaged.
It can happen to anyone at any time.
Driving through a garage isn’t the only time when you should be careful on the road. You could also drive through a low-hanging bridge and face the same problem.
I wrote this article as a result of the experience I had with my friend. I did not want you to go through such a painful experience as I had.
For you to avoid experiencing the same thing as me, here are some tips on how to remember where to find your bike on your roof in the future.
Can you tell me how I can remember where my bike is on my roof?
1. Block Your Garage Door Entrance
You will have to come down before driving in your garage when you have blocked the entrance to it with a storage box, a chair, or anything else. After you step out of your car, you will be able to see that there is a bike on your roof. Therefore, you won’t be at risk of damaging your car, roof rack, or bike.
2. Place A Sign On Your Dashboard/Steering Wheel
It is a good idea to place a sign on the dashboard of your car, along with a sign on the steering wheel, that will constantly remind you that you have a bike on the roof. Your eyes will keep going there, which allows you to subconsciously remember that you have a bike on your roof.
3. Get RackReminder App
The RackReminder App will alert you whenever you are about 1200 meters away from your garage. It works by letting you know the location of your garage so that it can send you an alert when you are getting close to it. You will then receive a reminder that your bike is on your roof when you are about one thousand metres away from it. If you do not have an iOS device, you can still do this in another way. However, the app is not free and is only available to iOS users.
In order to make sure that you get home on time, you can set an alarm on your phone.
4. Install a HeadsUp System
I guess it’s better to spend some money on a HeadsUp System than to replace your bike when it gets damaged, so I guess it’s worth it. In addition to the alarm and LED sign that you install on your car’s wall, the HeadsUp System also comes with tags which can be attached to your bike so that you are reminded that your bike is on the roof. During the night, these tags trigger the alarm to make sure you remember that your bike is on the roof.
Having learned how to remind yourself that you have your bike on the roof of your house, there are a few other questions we should ask ourselves before moving forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you put a bike on a roof basket?
It is not possible to use a roof basket if your car comes with one. However, it is possible for some people to push aside the basket and then mount their single bike with suction racks like the SeaSucker Rack on their roof. But this is not the norm for many. It is necessary to remove the roof basket completely if you plan on using a roof bike rack.
Do roof bike racks damage your car?
Roof bike racks are normally not meant to cause damage to your car, but if you do not install them correctly, you may get some scratches on your car. If the nuts and bolts aren’t tightly fitted on your car’s roof, then the roof bike rack will wobble, and if you have a bike mounted to your rack, you are not only putting at risk your car, but your bike as well. The first thing you should do is make sure that you install your bike rack properly.
Can you lay a bike on a car roof rack?
When you lay your bike on your car roof rack, you need to put some safety measures in place to ensure that the bike does not get scratched as much as possible. It is not recommended to lay your bike flat on it. When you do this safely, put socks or thick clothing on your bike pedals, handlebars, and saddle rest so that you can avoid scratches. In addition, tape or foam can be used anywhere your bike comes in contact with your car to prevent scratches.
Can I Strap a Bike on the Roof of My Car?
In order for you to make a short trip in this way, you should make sure your car has a car-fitted rack so that you can lock your bike to. You do not want to have your bike fall off when you are driving. So, make sure your bike is securely attached to your car’s roof. In order to ensure the safety of your bicycle, you may want to drive around your neighborhood looking for any rattling or whipping noises resulting from loose ropes and straps. However, if you do not have a roof bike rack, you should put your bike in the trunk.
Strapping a Bike on Roof without Rack is Safe?
The short and straight answer to this question is that there is a reason why roof bike racks were invented in the first place – to safely transport bikes on a roof. Although some people have managed to get away with it, the short and straight answer to this question is no. Additionally, there are some states which are against the law if you carry anything on your car roof without it being secured by a rack.
Final thoughts:
Don’t think or assume that you cannot forget your bike on your roof because you can, and therefore, that these tips are all you need to help you remember your bike on the roof. Therefore, to be better safe than sorry, put these measures into practice so you will not forget your bike on the roof in the future.
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