Help needed Today and Tomorrow RE-CYCLE (Bikes To Africa).

SOME HELPFUL TIPS FOR EFFICIENT LOADING OF BIKES INTO A CONTAINER

NB. Basically the most efficient way to load bikes is keep bikes complete but with
• pedals removed (tie onto frame)
• handlebars turned parallel to frame and tightened up
• remove lights, carriers and kick stands
• load into position alternately facing forwards and backwards. Where possible remove lights, carriers and stands.

Each horizontal row of bikes is built 3 vertical rows high.

Bottom Layers should ideally consist entirely of adult men's bikes (that is 26''/28'' wheels with cross bars) alternately forwards and backwards and should be 17 bikes across the width of the container packed tightly and upright* - this is important as subsequent rows depend on this to keep straight and well packed. This bottom row needs to be very tightly packed so that it can be stood on to load the middle and top rows. Put wheels between bikes to help wedge bikes in tightly.
Middle Layers should be made up of womens bikes or suspension mountain bikes (i.e. adult bikes without cross bars as this row won't need to be stood on. Again remember to alternate the direction of the bikes
Top Layers can be made up of a mixture of small frame adult bikes, 24'' wheeled and smaller kids bikes. There should be room to slide very small bikes and wheels on their sides on the top of this row.

NB. The best way to build the middle and top rows is a few bikes on each row at a time. Each bike should be wedged down between alternate bikes below and horizontally creating as much space possible.

Start the next bottom row before the middle and top previous rows are complete, packing in more bikes later. As rows are completed bags of spares, tyres, helmets, racks, inner tubes etc. can be packed in to all the gaps - space is very expensive so every possible gap needs to be filled.

NB. Depending where the shipment of bikes are to be sent it may or may not be acceptable to local customs to include spare parts packed into boxes. If in doubt use strong plastic bags tied or taped up.

Keep record of how many bikes in each of the rows as you go along – see Loading List

With careful packing up to 8 rows of bikes from front to back stacked in 3 layers high can be fitted in to a 40’ High Cube container.
The minimum bikes per layer should be
• Bottom layer 17 – say 17 x 8 rows = total 136
• Middle layer 17/18 – say 17 x 8 = total 136
• Top layer 20+ depending on the types/size of bikes – say 20 x 8 = total 160
• Gives 432 which is a very good total.

It should always be possible to get 17 bikes per each bottom and middle layer. If you haven’t got minimum 17 bikes per bottom layer take them out and re-stack.

If a particularly large number of spare parts are loaded, particularly wheels and tyres, this total may be reduced. Obviously anything bulky such as 3 wheeled trikes or tandems etc. will also reduce the total number packed. Royal Mail bikes also reduce the number that can be packed because each bike is accompanied with a carrier frame and a plastic insert.

The two most important things that will dictate the number of bikes loaded are

1. Making absolutely sure there are 8 rows of bikes
   
2. Maximizing the number of bikes packed on the top layer as you will never get more than 17 adult size bikes on the bottom and middle layer (OK maybe 17 adult and 1 kids bike).
   
   

Concentrate your efforts on these two things above all else. If you loose a row and only fit in 7 you will immediately be 54 bikes down.

Good luck – it’s hard work but fantastically rewarding when you close the container doors and see it on it’s way.