Traveling? Fly your bike away!

From http://italianbicycles.com.au

Hello Beautiful People!

How often have you thought: it will be nice to take my bike with me! Well, it is easier done than said. Here are some simple guidelines to help you select either a box, bag or bike case when you are traveling with your bicycle, no matter where you are going.

Whether is a race, a bike show or simply a cruising relaxing bike-trip you will need to decide on how to appropriately package your bike to ensure it arrives safely to your selected destination.

When the starting point of your ride is just few kilometers away then a soft bag is quite suitable. These bags are helpful to prevent dirty stains in the car as well as preventing damages to your bike. However, you will need to take a special attention to wheel if your bike does not fit entirely inside the car.

If your ride starts away from your home, so far away that a flight is needed to reach the location, then as per your personal belongings you might have to think about a hard case or box. You will still wish to use as well the wheel bags. Bike boxes can at times be picked up free at your local bike store and will provide some good protection. However, if you go for a bike box then ensure you have padded the bike well and have extra protection in the forks and rear derailleur or dropouts to keep the frame supported if moved around abruptly or crushed.

Generally, hard cases offer the best protection but are heavier than the other solutions above. Domestically there is no much to pay or not too much excess deducted from your luggage quota when you present a bike case at the check in. 

However, If you are traveling internationally then you will need to choose a light box, to prevent high rates calculated for your excess baggage weight. Be aware and shop around: you need cases that are well built and durable because the will be knocked around quite a bit. Thus, you want to purchase cases with robust latches, sturdy and easy to use. 

Most important before you buy a case: measure your bike completely and accurately, because some bikes will not fit inside certain boxes. Also, familiarize yourself with every part of your bike before dismantling. It might sound tedious and hard work however, if you do it once, then next time it will be far easier to prepare for your bike trip!

That's it from us for today!
Be safe, Ride in pairs, Have fun!


Mario, Roberto and Maria

Changes to our roads, Locally, Nationally, Globally...

From http://italianbicycles.com.au

Hello Beautiful People!!

What is changing in our roads? It is a lot these days and catching up with new rules and regulation is not easy and at times can be confusing too. Therefore, here we go with a small simple summary containing rules that will be enforced soon in QLD and possible elsewhere, presented to you along with some news of what is changing nationwide in AU as well as NZ and globally. As always, we try to keep it simple and stand up to our beliefs of giving you the REAL DEAL!

NEW POLICE FINES
ENFORCED IN QLD FROM 7th APRIL 2014

Here is a quick summary of new laws and fines for cyclists,

 which will possibly move interstate soon:

Failing to stop at a red traffic light $330
Disobeying a 'No-turn sign at an intersection $88
Failing to stop at a 'stop' sign at an intersection $330
Exceed speed limit in a speed zone by less than 13km/h $146
Carrying more passengers than on a bicycle is designed for $110
Failing to give way to pedestrians on a footpath or shared path $110
Failing to display a light at night or in hazardous weather conditions $110

WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE REST OF AUSTRALIA?

While the new laws and fine will be active in QLD soon, including the 1 meter distance rule when traveling at 60 km/h or less and 1.5 meter distance if driving over 60 km/h, where are all the other states at? Not a real lot of info is available however few messages are being sent out in the crowd and here below are some

A METRE MATTERS...
...and you could be fined! Click the photo...

 

IS WESTERN AUSTRALIA FOLLOWING?
Click the photo for more news...

WHERE IS New Zealand AT WITH HELPING CYCLISTS?

A very interesting video comes from New Zealand: when somebody walks out in front of you, how fast is too fast for the odds to be in their favor? Indeed an exemplary experiment with local citizens who at times appeared to be honest but certainly above the limit. Such investigation led the NZ government to make sure that Wellington would move toward 30 km/h speed limits in CBD and same will do Auckland soon... in light of the recent highly publicized accident in Collins St., Melbourne, aside from speed alone what do you think the Australia Government should do to minimize bike/pedestrial injuries in the car packed Aussie CBD's?

Roulette on the Road -- what are your chances?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjPBDF40FcQ&feature=youtu.be

 BIKE HELMETS, DO WE NEED THEM?

While more and more rules are imposed for both car drivers and cyclists in order to minimize accidents and improve safety, new arguments coming from Europe are debating whether or not Helmets are truly necessary for our safety. An argument conflicted by many, nonetheless quite supported by a wide variety of people also here in AU and NZ. Traditionally in Europe helmets are worn only by those entering the streets for some heavy duty training or some long commuting. Whereas in Australia we have laws that require helmets to be worn at all times from all ages. Whilst, often the helmet alone is not preventing neither avoiding injuries in many cases... let's find out what is the argument by simply Clicking on the photos above to know more...

Well, that's enough for today!

We will be in touch soon!

Have a safe ride!