How to fly with your bicycle for the Cape Town Cycle Tour

As thousands of cyclists prepare for the Cape Town Cycle Tour taking place on 8 March, many are figuring out how to get themselves and their bicycles safely to Cape Town. FlySafair, South Africa’s most on-time airline, has put together a simple, practical guide to help riders transport their bikes with confidence.

Whether you’re a first-time participant or a seasoned regular, flying with a bicycle doesn’t need to be stressful. With the right preparation and packaging, your bike can arrive at Cape Town International Airport in perfect riding condition, leaving you to focus on the race ahead.

“FlySafair fully supports cyclists and sports enthusiasts travelling with their equipment year-round,” says Kirby Gordon, chief marketing officer at FlySafair. “The Cape Town Cycle Tour is one of the world’s great cycling events, and we want every rider travelling with us to have complete peace of mind. Good preparation makes all the difference, and our guide helps ensure the process is smooth from start to finish.”

How to fly with your bike on FlySafair

1. Packaging your bike

Proper packaging is essential. FlySafair does not package bicycles on behalf of customers, so riders need to arrive with their bikes securely packed.

Follow these guidelines:

• Use a hard case, padded soft shell case or a sturdy cardboard bike box.
• Bikes must be fully packed and fit within FlySafair’s sports equipment dimensions of 190 x 75 x 65 cm and must not exceed 32kg. Wrapped bicycles cannot be accepted.
• Remove both wheels, partially deflate the tyres and insert spacers in the fork. Shift gears into the highest position and ensure the derailleur and gearing are properly protected.
• Wrap the frame in bubble wrap and turn handlebars in line with the frame.
• Remove the rear derailleur from the hanger where possible to prevent damage.
• Only bike components may be placed inside the case – no protruding items.
• Empty all water bottles before packing.

2. Items to keep out of your bike box

To avoid loss or damage, do not pack the following with your bike:

• GPS devices, power meters and other electronics.
• Helmets, cleats and pedals (these may travel in hand luggage or checked baggage).

3. CO₂ cartridges

Cyclists may travel with up to four CO₂ cartridges (28g each) per bike. These must be declared at check-in.

4. Weight

Sports equipment is limited to 32kg. Equipment over 32kg cannot be checked in and must instead be sent via cargo at the rider’s cost. Cargo items may travel on a different flight, so plan accordingly.

5. Optional sports equipment cover

For added peace of mind, FlySafair offers optional sports equipment cover for R13, providing up to R10 000 cover in the unlikely event of loss or damage.

“For many cyclists, a bicycle is far more than just a piece of equipment – it’s a meaningful investment and often tailored to personal preference,” adds Gordon. “We understand that, and our aim is to ensure every bike arrives exactly as it was packed.

“With careful handling and the option of sports equipment cover, we’re committed to giving riders full confidence when they fly with us.”

FlySafair has created a step-by-step video guide showing exactly how to pack and check in your bike.

Book your flight to Cape Town for the Cape Town Cycle Tour and get ready to ride!