I will be travelling to another province in Canada this summer and I would like to bring my bike along with me.

Originally I thought I could pack it in a box and take it with me on the plane, but according to the folks at my local bike shop this may not be the best way to send my bike. They suggested that I take my bike in to have it packed and shipped by ground to be reassembled at a bike shop near my destination. It would take approximately a week to have it taken apart and shipped there.

I was wondering if I could get a second opinion on this or if there is a better way to send it.

I've flown all over the place, within Canada and to other countries, and so far I have always brought my bicycle with me ..... and so far it has been fine.

I would suggest going with WestJet if you can - they don't charge as much as Air Canada for the bicycle, and their people are really friendly.

Neither WestJet nor Air Canada sell boxes (other airlines in other countries do) so you have to find a box elsewhere. You can take the bicycle apart and pack it at home, or you can ride your bicycle to the airport and do it right there. I've done both.

Take the bicycle, in the box, to the check-in counter and they'll handle it from there.

When you arrive at your destination, be prepared for a little bit of a treasure hunt to find it again - it appears in different places ... on the carousel, in the oversized luggage area, next to the wall three carousels over, or wherever. Once they brought it out to me after everyone had gotten their luggage and gone home. But don't panic ... it should be there somewhere.

Then, if you use a cardboard box, you can put the bicycle together right there in the airport, and ride off!!

Read this article. Personally, I'm not sure that there's nothing that can be done, because these clauses in contracts are called adhesion clauses. Here's another article on adhesion clauses. Some courts won't uphold these. Then there's the fact that you'll be subject to Canadian law, while these articles are dealing with U.S. law. Nevertheless, something to think about.

I rented a box from MEC once for a trip but usually I use a cardboard box. I have to travel for work once in while and have taken my bike a few times. I had the misfortune to fly Air Canada so when I checked in I lied abot the contents and the bike flew free. I've done and got away with this 4 times. West Jet dosn't rip you off.

Thanks folks,

My flight has been booked with Air Canada so I guess I don't have much of a choice - I think I will still have it shipped separately, mostly because I'm still a poor student so I don't think I could afford to have the frame replaced if there was some baggage mishap

Do you have insurance on the bicycle? If not, you might contact CAA (or another insurance provider) and see about getting some.

i packed my bike in the performance cargo case and took it to the airport on a trip from NYC to Toronto on Air Canada. Upon arrival at the Air Canada desk i was told they charge $50 for bicycles. I agreed, then after checking my bags and cargo case they forgot to charge me the $50. I didn't remind them.

Well, courier companies aren't much better with bikes, you know. If you saw they way they literally throw these boxes around - you would cry. I had one bike damaged by a courier, and I don't intend to let it happen again... I use LOTS of foam and several layers of carboard now.

Send it by Greyhound. About $55 bucks. 3% of value to insure with the first $100 free.

I flew with my bike by Air Canada to UK last year in a cardboard box (just the bike in the box). It was counted as one of my checked bags with no extra charge.

They don't charge for international flights, but they do for domestic. Most of the airlines are like that.

I have used a standard bike box. If you are really concerned maybe ship it via rail

Last time I checked - Westjet charged like 30$ domestic (better service too, especially for sports equipment) and Air Canada chared around 80$.