Traveling With A Folding Bike As A Carry-On

by Larry Lagarde

Note: This is one of a series of posts concerning InterBike 2008.

As more people begin to look for greener travel options, it's only natural that travelers consider the inclusion of cycling as a mode of travel. With all the baggage restrictions and fees that now apply to taking bicycles on commercial flights, I wanted to test reports that some folding bikes could be brought aboard as a carry on - free of charge.

Carrying a bike aboard a commercial airliner is the ultimate test. If you can do that, it should be possible to combine cycling with any other form of transportation (multi-modal travel). Since I was attending InterBike 2008, I decided to apply my bicycle carry on test to my trip to InterBike. But I had another goal too: use the bike I carried aboard as my primary means of transportation within Vegas.

Although there are thousands of models of bicycles being produced today, there are just 3 models that even come close to meeting carry on baggage restrictions: the Brompton, CarryMe and the just released Carriable Foldaway Bicycle. I decided to try the CarryMe DS.

Test Bicycle: CarryMe DS from Pacific Cycles
The CarryMe DS (Dual Speed) is a 'stick folder.' When folded, it's about as long as a golf umbrella. It fits inside a carry bag that, when placed on the ground, is as wide as a small bike water bottle and about as tall as a half gallon carton of milk. The CarryMe DS folds in @ 30 seconds, weighs 19 lbs (18 lbs for the single speed) and rolls when folded via 2 roller wheels on the rear carry rack.

Test Airline: Southwest
There are many commercial airlines that fly between New Orleans and Las Vegas; however, one stands out in terms of frequency of flights, nonstop flights, pricing and the clarity of it's terms of carriage concerning bicycles - Southwest Airlines. Southwest even states specifically that it will carry free of charge folding bikes that meet their general baggage dimension & weight restrictions.

Packing For The Trip
Since I would be riding my bike from Las Vegas Mccarran International Airport to my hotel near the Sands Expo & Convention Center on the Las Vegas Strip, I packed light to avoid the need for a suitcase. I traveled with 2 pairs of bike shorts, underwear, socks and shirts as well as a pair of jeans, basic toiletries, bike gear (pump, multi-tool, gloves, bike shoes & helmet) and a camera all stuffed into a packable nylon bag that I inserted into the soft carry bag for the CarryMe DS. Once in Vegas, I would either strap the clothing bag onto the CarryMe's rear carry rack or sling it over my shoulders like a backpack.

Prepping For Riding In Vegas
Before departing, I Google Mapped the ride from LAS/Mccarran to the hotel via Google Map's new 'Walking Directions' feature that is currently in Beta. Google started the route from the point where the center of the airport's multi-story parking garages meet Wayne Newton Blvd. Google noted that the route may be missing sidewalks and I knew traffic there would be heavy so I looked for another option. I magnified the Google satelite image and found a sidewalk leading directly from the airport check-in area. Perfect.

Most of the ride to the hotel would be along Paradise Rd, a 3 lane feeder road roughly paralleling the Strip. Upon careful examination, I could see a sidewalk extending almost the entire way. The greatest challenge appeared to be the crossing at E. Flamingo Rd., a major roadway there. The sat map did show a pedestrian crossing at the intersection, giving me confidence that I could do the ride even in heavy traffic simply by using the sidewalk.

Checking In For My Flight Out
The evening before my flight, I went to Southwest.com and entered my flight confirmation so I could check in before arriving at the airport. Southwest is known for their ticket-less, no seat reservation, cattle call style of boarding. Flyers can check in 24 hours ahead of their flight. Those that check in early get priority placement in the boarding line. I made the 'A' group, the first group that boards after flyers with disabilities or small children. In the event of a full flight, this increased my chances of carrying the folding bike onboard.

New Orleans International Airport (MSY)
Due to unexpected morning traffic, I was late in arriving at New Orleans' MSY airport. Concerned that I would miss the flight, I parked in the more expensive Long Term Parking lot to avoid waiting for the shuttle van. I walked directly to the concourse. The TSA security inspection went quickly and without incident. The TSA agent that x-rayed my bag said "cool unicycle; don't see many of those here." I just went with the flow and smiled.

Boarding Southwest Flight 542
I arrived at the gate 20 minutes prior to boarding. The gate area was full of people; in fact, I later learned the flight was full. When the 'A' group was called, I stood in my appointed place in line. The cheerful gate agent greeted everyone with a smile and cracked a few jokes. When it was my turn, I offered a friendly "good morning;" and he replied "I see someone's happy to be going to Vegas."

The gate agent checked my ID and looked non-chalantly at my black nylon bag emblazoned with the CarryMe logo. Slightly raising his eyebrow, he smiled playfully. With a hint of idle curiosity, he asked "whatcha' got there, a trumpet?" I replied, "no, it's a folding bike." Now, by this time, he'd already waved me through so I took the experiment a bit further and said "do you think I should gate check it?" The agent replied, "no need for that; it will fit in the overhead." He was right too.

I found a window seat near the wings, opened the overhead and placed the bike inside. I left the bin open. As the plane filled up, other passengers placed their bags in the bin too. Though the flight was full, there was room for every carry on item brought aboard. The flight was uneventful and we arrived in Vegas on time.

Coming Soon: Cycling in Vegas Via Folding Bike

Labels: carry-on-folding-bike, Interbike2008, Southwest-Airlines