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[[Image:Foldable hitchbike.jpg|300px|thumb|right|HitchBiking at Swiss alps]]'''Hitchbiking''' is a mixture between hitchhiking and biking.  Instead of waiting on on single spot for someone to [[Picking up hitchhikers|pick you up]] you are sitting on a bike, already heading for your destination. Once a Pickup Truck or a big truck shows up you rise your thumb and smile. (Or use a sign.)Some prefer to park the bike at a good [[Where to hitchhike|Hitchhiking 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.
=== Pros ===
* 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 hithhiking hitchhiking there.
* You get a lot of attention if you are running on your bike with all the luggage.
* You can enjoy beautiful parts of your trip on a slow pace with your bike and skip bad or hard ones while hitchhiking.
* It's amazing in cities as you don't need to spend money on public transit or stress about black-riding. Also, it is so much easier to look for dumpsters and find food or cardboard.
* It is very easy to find a good and secluded spot for wild-camping, even in urban areas.
* You have a really interesting and visible story (a bicycle). [[User:taborda|Taborda]] and [[User:Jackfang|JackFang]] found out that people are much more friendly and helpful as they easily believe you when they see the bike and bags - also good when asking for hospitality.
=== Cons ===
* 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 fustrating. User: [[Jackfang]] found the price of maintaining the bike compared to taking public transportation to be about the same over a two month periodfrustrating.
== Hitchhiking with a foldable bike ==
Foldable Fold-able bikes with a 16 or 20 inch diameter balances speed are decent for commuting within a city. You can even bike out the city to find the closest service station. Within most European cities you don't need public transportation but you also can ride a bus normally by folding the bike and spaceplacing 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 roller blades 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 [[Jackfang]] found that when hitchhiking, hiding the foldable bike out of the driver's sight increased the chance of getting a ride rather than showing the driver the bike, even if it is a foldable 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.
If achieving long distances is your goal, biking to a good hitchhiking spot such as a service station, then hitchhiking is a reliable option. When hitchhiking, hiding the fold-able bike out of the driver's sight 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.
With folding bikes coming to popularity particularly in more densely populated citiesRegarding the particular brands and the specs, more drivers are starting to recognize them. What this means is that while pedalling on the road to your destination, it important thing is possible to get a ride by sticking your thumb out for *any car passing bysomething that thieves won't steal. Some drivers will recognize that The more fancy you are riding a foldable bike but they may not understand what you are doing, the more likely it will get stolen. Having a sign may be helpful depending on So forget about the traffic speedfancy 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.
* Pack your bike (with a small plastic tarp and some rope i could pack my hole bike) to avoid oil stains in cars.
* Use a small bike that can take the wheels easy, can be useful to strip it out of not needed items (like mudguards) to make packing smaller and easier
* Try to ask car drivers for a hitch, not only vans and trucks, people tend to be really helpful with cyclists, and you will find out a bike can fit in many cars (on the back sit). ([[User:taborda|Taborda]] hitchbiking from [[Amsterdam]] to [[Portugal]] just got one hich hitch offer where the bike actually didn't fit, on all others it was possible to fit the bike - mostly in "normal" cars) * Always If you are hitchhiking with a non-foldable bike, always take the front wheel off, and make sure it's visible you have the bicycle and are hitchhiking. Having a sign helps drivers know you are looking for a ride (as opposed to being broken down and looking for help). However, with a fold-able bike, one has the option to keep the bike out of sight for the driver, or show them your interesting bike in its folded position, depending on the situation.
== Countries ==
[[User:guaka|guaka]]<small><sup>[http://guaka.org site], [[User talk:guaka|wikitalk]]</sup></small> can confirm it's very easy in [[Ecuador]]. Hitching with 2 people and 2 bikes was very easy.
[[User:taborda|taborda]] can confirm hitchiking with a bike in europe Europe (holandHolland, belgiumBelgium, franceFrance, spain Spain and portugal Portugal - July/August 2011) was not that hard (actually as easy as without a bike - or even easier)
[[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 foldable 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 centers full of bicyclesShanghai, such as cities China with Rollerblades. Do expect to communicate in the Netherlands ;)local language.
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 mopads) to drag heavy backpack when you along for short distancesspine gets tired. [[Jack Fang|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/
== 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]]
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