posted on July 17, 2017
TOUR DE FRANCE-FRIENDLY VOITURES
A bicycle can be a great tool to get you from point A to point B, but if you live in an area that isn’t bicycle-friendly or you live too far away from your favorite riding trail, you need a bike-friendly car to cart your two-wheeled transport to your destination. Whether you’re riding just for the enjoyment of riding, or you’re training for the Tour de France, you need a car that can help support your hobby. Here is a list of the best bike-friendly vehicles to transport you, your bike, and your supplies anywhere the road might take you.
Skoda Octavia
Photo credit: Skoda
You can’t mention bike-friendly vehicles without at least a nod to the Skoda Octavia. Skoda began as a bike company, so who better to know the needs of a bicyclist than a company that used to create bicycles?
The Octavia isn’t just one of the best cars for the casual rider — it also serves as the service vehicle for the Tour de France. These cars are fully stocked with all the tools and replacement parts you might need if your bike takes damage or part of it fails. They even carry entire bikes in case a rider’s bike is too damaged to continue.
Because tire pressure is just as important in bicycle tires as it is in car tires, Octavias also come stocked with air compressors. The pressure of bicycle tires when overinflated or underinflated can affect cyclists’ performance and safety, just as tire pressure affects cars.
Traditionally sold in Europe, Skoda is snatching up U.S. patents and starting to make its journey across the pond, so you may be able to pick one up soon!
Honda Civic Active Life Concept
Photo credit: carscoops.com
Honda is known for making small but reliable cars like the Civic and the Accord, but you wouldn’t expect to be able to stick a bike in one of these little two- or four-door daily drivers. That’s where the Active Life model comes in. Not only does it have an integrated bike rack capable of holding up to two bicycles, it also has a retractable arm you can load your bike on for repair or maintenance while you’re out in the world.
As of 2016, this car is still a concept, but if it makes it to the production floor, its integrated air pump, water tank, tool kit, and front-wheel restraints make it one of the best cars for both casual and professional drivers.
Land Rover Discovery Sport
Sebastian’s Land Rover Discovery Sport. Miami, FL. Photo credit: Turo
Land Rover has been a go-to brand for years for people who need some extra power but want to enjoy their offroading in comfort. The Discovery Sport takes the place of the Land Rover Freelander and adds improvements like customizable seating — you can slide the seats back and forth as needed to get more legroom or storage room.
As a bonus, you can also order your Discover Sport with a roof or tow-bar-style bike rack and a tailgate seat that makes tailgating — or resting after a long ride — much more comfortable.
Nissan Leaf
Nathan’s Nissan Leaf. Portland, OR. Photo credit: Turo
Lots of people like riding bikes because it reduces their carbon footprint — unfortunately, driving to the trail in a big gas guzzler tends to cancel that out. Nissan has released a completely electric car — the Leaf — which provides a great alternative to help you get around when you’re not riding your bicycle. The 30 kWh version of this car, the Leaf S, offers upwards of 105 miles per charge, which is more than enough to get you to the trail and back, or help you find your way to the nearest race.
The long body style makes it perfect for the addition of a roof rack for storing your bicycles, and the hatch provides ample space for all your tools, toys, and equipment. Plus, the car isn’t terribly tall, so getting your bikes down from the roof rack is a breeze.
Maserati Levante
Esther’s Maserati Levante. Los Angeles, CA. Photo credit: Turo.
If you’re looking for something a little sexier — or a little more expensive — than the previous entries on this list, look no further than the Maserati Levante. The Levante is the first SUV released by the luxury brand, and it’s definitely one of the most stunning entries on this list.
You might want to opt for a tow-bar-style bike rack, though — the Levante comes with an optional panoramic sunroof which provides an amazing view of all of those scenic locations you might be riding through. It also comes equipped with all-wheel drive and is designed to distribute the vehicle’s weight evenly, making it much easier to drive to all those hard-to-reach bike trails.
For something with a bit more towing power, you can even opt for a diesel engine — Maserati offers 275 and 250HP engine options in diesel. This isn’t the luxury car you buy to keep in your garage — this SUV is designed to take you out into the world and make sure you enjoy yourself every step of the way.
Whether you’re driving a sedan or an SUV, you need the perfect car to make sure you can bring your bike with you — and carry you and your passengers comfortably as well. If you’re looking to buy or rent a new car to augment your cycling hobby, consider the ones we’ve listed above.
Cycling is a great way to stay healthy and see the country from a new perspective, but if you don’t have the right car to get you there, you could find your ride stopped before you even leave the driveway.
Kayla Matthews
Kayla Matthews is a writer who enjoys playing around with the latest travel apps and gadgets. You can find more of Kayla's work on MakeUseOf, VentureBeat, VICE, and ProductivityBytes.com.
