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If == Hitchhiking with skateboards, rollerblades and kick scootering ==Bikes might be too big for your purpose.Consider smaller things that can make you go faster in a city, or at the very least help you have roller blades carry you can also ask them (and electric mopeds) to drag heavy backpack when you along for short distancesspine gets tired. [[User:Jackfang|JackFang]] was successful bikehitching You might attract drivers when you are rollerblading or kick scootering in Shanghaithe middle of nowhere. They might offer you a ride without you hitchhiking. Watch out for the cars, China with Rollerbladestry to scoot on the sidewalks. Do expect If you don't have medical insurance it is probably better to communicate in the local languagejust walk.For a hitchbiker's advice visit:https://chinesecanadiantraveller.wordpress.com/2015/10/20/hitchhiking-with-wheels-bike-kick-scooter-roller-blades-skateboard-foldable-20-inch-bike/
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Some prefer to park the bike at a good [[Where to hitchhike|hitchhiking spot]] and wait there for a ride.
For countries that are illegal to hitchhike, you can hitchhike with your bicycle with less problems with the police, because people will think you have a flat tire and need help to get somewhere, rather than associate you as a hitchhiker. This works especially well if you have full biking spandex clothing and a helmet. Others again have a folding bike and can put their bike in a normal car trunk/bootor as well on the back seat if it is a folding bike.
One can also use skateboards or rollerblades, but do expect to rely on hitchhiking more for long distances.
* You can let your bike carry your luggage instead of your spine.
* You are more flexible because you don't depend on traffic or public transportation. That means you can explore little beaches, rivers or villages with your bike and hitchbike further afterwards.
* You have an easier time dealing with the Police (if you look like a professional cyclist)
* You can bike to truck stops or service stations instead of hitchhiking there.
* You get a lot of attention if you are running on your bike with all the luggage.
* In countries with tiny cars and few trucks it's really hard.
* You have to choose which road to hitchhike on wisely. Hitchhiking on highways is faster, but be careful not to get dropped off at a bad spot because you can't just cycle away from it, since it is illegal to cycle on highways, and could be dangerous (though it can feel much safer than some busy secondary roads with shoulder).
*Bikes cost money. Repairing and maintaining bikes cost money as well. When the bike or parts get stolen it may be very frustrating. [[User:Jackfang|JackFang]] found the price of maintaining the bike compared to taking public transportation to be about the same over a two month period.
== Hitchhiking with a foldable bike ==
Fold-able bikes with a 16 or 20 inch diameter balances speed and spaceare decent for commuting within a city. You can even bike out the city to find the closest service station. This means within Within most European cities you don't need public transportation but you also can hitchhike ride a bus normally by folding the bike and placing it in a bag.You may find a 24 inch too large for the average family car. However a larger wheel theoretically allows you to commute faster within a city. In some general stores in Europe the cheapest 20 inch folding bike is around 120 euros.
Anything smaller has around the same speed as a scooter or a skateboard, but much more expensive.
If achieving long distances is your goal, biking to a good hitchhiking spot such as a service station, then hitchhiking is a reliable option. User [[User:Jackfang|JackFang]] found that when When hitchhiking, hiding the fold-able bike out of the driver's sight increased can increase the chance of getting a ride rather than showing the driver the bike, even if it is a fold-able bike. This is because many people who may consider to take you can use the bike as an excuse and say no space. Showing the bike to a driver may build trust, however. So consider whether or not to show the bike in it's folded form when hitchbiking.
With folding bikes coming to popularity particularly in more densely populated cities, more drivers are starting to recognize them. What this means is that while pedalling on the road to your destination, it is possible to get a ride by sticking your thumb out for *any car passing by. Some drivers will recognize that you are riding a fold-able bike but they may not understand what you are doing. Having a sign may be helpful depending on the traffic speed.
Regarding the particular brands and the specs, the important thing is to get something that thieves won't steal.
The more fancy you bike, the more likely it will get stolen.
So forget about the fancy all carbon fibre frame foldable bike.
The advantage of fixed gear bikes is it's lack of maintenance required. When you have a rear derailleur you may spend more time fixing you shifters and wires than actually hitchhiking.
[[File:Georgebike.jpg|300px|thumb|right|21-speed Pocket Sport]]Tiny folding bikes [http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/06/worlds_smallest.php like this one] make BikeHitching much easier. For longer trips, a real touring bike that folds up into a suitcase or a car trunk, like this 21-speed Pocket Sport from Bike Friday (picture). If you fold your bike, drivers won't even notice you have more than just big a backpack and then HitchBiking works just like normal hitchhiking.
[[User:Uyku.tulumu|Uyku.tulumu]] further confirms hitchbiking in Europe (Belgium, Germany, Austria, even Norway) seems even easier than normal hitchhiking because of the trust people have for cyclists and lack towards hitchhikers. (Did it with a normal sized bicycle, two panniers and a big front basket.)
[[User:Jackfang|Jackfang]] further confirms that in the summer of 2015 hitchhiking with a 20inch fold-able bike was the same difficulty without one for long distance. (Spain, Portugal, France, Switzerland, Italy) This is because when hitchhiking one can simply keep the folded bike out of sight, then when they stop just put it in their car like normal luggage. If their trunk does not fit just hold it on your lap. This probably would not work in countries where they put passengers on car roofs.
== Bike-Hitchhiking ==
It is also possible to get a lift on a bike, as documented here: in [http://danielsiegmundpopupcity.nl/travelnet/bikea-hitchhiking-spot-for-cyclists/ Bike Hitchhikingthis]art project in "cycling nation" The Netherlands. Only recommended If you have roller blades you can also ask them (and electric and gas bikes) to drag you along for short distances. Beware of local laws. [[User:Jackfang|JackFang]] was successful bikehitching in city centres full of bicyclesShanghai, such as cities China with Rollerblades. Do expect to communicate in the Netherlands ;)local language.
== External Links ==
* [https://write.as/hitchbikerevolution/a-guide-for-hitchbiking A guide for hitchbiking with a folding touring bike]
* [http://www.foldingbiketravels.com/2012/02/hitch-biking-through-africa.html FoldingBikeTravels.com on HitchBiking]
* [http://greencycle.ca/blog/?p=11 GreenCycle Blog]
* [http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/hitch_hiking/87468 Berner Werner about HitchBiking]
* [http://benn.org/2008/07/15/now-hitch-biking-travel-plan-updated/ Meinhard's thoughts about HitchBiking]
* [http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8af5lpj4ulvArH5TvG0ehQ Videos of Hitchbiking with 20" foldable bike around Europe by Jack Fang]* [http://velo.wiki.yt/ Velowiki], a project started by [[User:Guaka|guaka]] ([[User talk:Guaka|talk]]) in April 2013]__NOTOC__
[[Category:Transportation]]
