Sometimes the last 10 km are the hard ones. The bus depot is across town, the ferry leaves early, a wheel died, or the forecast turned. A cab or rideshare can get you there, bike and all. It goes best when the driver knows the bike is coming and it doesn't look like a hassle.
Tell them early#
Drivers say no to surprises, not to bikes. Give the heads-up before anyone is standing at the curb.
For taxis, skip the app and phone the dispatcher. When I tried to order a van through the taxi app in Kamloops it took ages to confirm; one phone call later a car was there in 10 minutes, and my bagged bike rode flat in the back of an ordinary Toyota Prius v wagon, backpacks and me along too.
For app rides, pick a large car (see below) then use the text fields. Uride has a Pickup Notes box right on the booking screen, so the driver knows before they accept. On Uber or Lyft, message the driver once the ride matches.
Coastal Rides makes it easiest of all: when you request a ride, their app lets you specify how many bikes you're bringing, helping match you with drivers who have bike racks.
The exception to booking ahead is the airport taxi lineup, where the fleet comes to you: in most major cities it works to just wait in line for a minivan taxi; a hatchback works too if you don't have a bike box.
Shrink the bike#
Match the prep to the vehicle:
- Van or a rideshare XL showing up? Your bike will probably fit without any dismantling, even in a bike box. If it isn't in a box, your prep is a clean-up: wipe the frame and tires, and bring a garbage bag or old towel for under the chain. Clean is all the prep there is.
- Ordinary car? Front wheel off, seats down, drivetrain side up. Fits more often than you'd think, hatchbacks included. You'll probably have to sit in the front seat, which means if you are travelling with someone you may each need a car.
- Want the guaranteed yes? A soft bike bag. Wheel off, bike in, zip closed: now it's luggage, not a bike, and you can feel the driver relax when they see it. We use the Rhinowalk 27.5 inch/700C bag (about $60, also on Amazon.ca). Five minutes, full step-by-step in our coach bus how-to.
A cardboard bike box is the exception: boxes only really work in vans. Phone ahead and ask for one, or at the airport wait in the lineup for a minivan to cycle through (intended ;) ); most major airports have plenty.
Who to call#
- Taxis, everywhere in BC. Phone ahead, especially for early departures.
- Coastal Rides on the Sunshine Coast, Sea to Sky, Tofino and Ucluelet, and much of Vancouver Island. A BC-grown, accredited BC Bike Stop that actively courts cyclists, down to suggesting point-to-point rides in their own bike road trip guide.
- Uber and Lyft in Metro Vancouver and beyond; request an XL for extra room.
- Uride in Kamloops, Kelowna, Vernon, Penticton, Nanaimo, Courtenay and Comox, and Prince George, with an XL tier.
Know before you call. We track the taxi and ride-hail operators we've found bike information for in the directory: taxi and ride-hail listings on BC Bike Stops.
Had a ride, or found a policy we're missing? Tell us and we'll add it.
Last tips: allow extra time, keep the greasy side away from the seats, and tip like someone who wants the next cyclist to get a yes too. Also check out our tips on taking your bike on a coach bus in case you are going further afield.