Folding Bike
 

I'm visiting Italy next month. As I will spend most of the time in countryside and knowing the fact that bus service is not very frequent between villages, I have a plan now to bring my folding bike along for movinga round in countryside.

I was just wondering if there is any paperwork, and procedure that I need to go through when I arrive at the Milan airport? Or will it be just as simple as passing through the immigration and custom with my luggages as normal?

Thanks in advance.

The only procedure of which I'm aware for bikes is the need to follow the airlines' rules, which specify how bikes (of any type) must be packed. I'd check with your airline if you haven't already. Then it's just treated like any other luggage.

No one will care at Milan airport, (I've taken a full bike through there) but don't ride in the concourse.

The only issues you will have is the airline and if they want it packed in a box, full plastic box, in a giant plastic bag etc. Check the luggage tab of your airline.

If you are taking the bike on a regular bus you might have a problem, I've not done it, you might need to check individual websites and/or stick it in a draw string bag.

Hi all, thanks for the assurance on bringing folding bike into Italy which seems to be quite straightforward. As for the airlines, I'm flying with Emirates. I have called their office two days ago and they said I was allowed to check in my folding bike but needed to meet their packing requirements. Will contact them again for more details on the packing. However, would love to hear from anyone of you who had flown with Emirates before with their bike. Thanks.

Yes, but how will you get the bike from the airport to where you're going? Will buses allow it? Can you get where you need to go by train? (Cab or rental cars make a nonsense of bringing the bike)

Sorry -

Have you exerience in riding bikes on main roads in hilly areas that may have limited shoulders? How will you cope when it rains?

Not to be discouraging, but not sure if you have considered all the logistics.

Trains will be no problem if folded and in a bag.
http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...008916f90aRCRD
if you cannot read Italian go to Google and pull down the translate page (middle under More) since this is mainly written for full bike a foldable should be ok.

Mark's page on it is pretty good
http://www.seat61.com/bike-by-train.htm#.UjSGL3_Nq00

generally a draw string bag will sove most of your problems, however the critical issue still is Emirates. Some european airlines are a real pain, such as Lufthansa which charges a mind bogginly Euro 120 for flights. But if the company insists on a hard case then you have to find somewhere to leave it, good news though a taxi will take a bike in a hard case.

I don't have any real knowledge about folding bikes versus touring bikes, so this may be a dumb question, but can folding bikes handle hills? If you are headed to Tuscany, there are businesses that rent bikes and deliver to your accommodations. But if you are comfortable with your folding bike, then perhaps it is not an issue. (I am not a great bikers and need all the help I can get.)

You might enjoy the following book which is about the author's experience biking through Tuscany and working on some farms during the olive harvest. It is kind of a spiritual experience for him, but it did not put me (a non-believer) off.

An Italian Journey: A Harvest of Revelations in the Olive Groves of Tuscany by James Ernest Shaw

http://www.amazon.com/Italian-Journe.../dp/0984658513

hi, thanks all for the great tips and advices.