Europcar Australia has made travelling with bikes simpler by becoming the country’s first car rental provider to offer a new category of vehicles fitted with bike carriers.

The new category of ‘bike-ready’ Mitsubishi Outlanders fitted with Thule ProRide bike carriers are available from five airport locations – Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Coolangatta and Maroochydore.

Mike Warmington, sales and marketing director for Europcar Australia and New Zealand, said the new category of vehicles would suit both recreational riders and professional athletes.

“The challenge from customers and the cycling community was to create a safer and more convenient solution for travelling with bikes.

“The bike carriers offer more freedom and flexibility. People no longer have to worry about disassembling their bike to fit it in the back of the car.”

The new category of vehicles builds on Europcar’s commitment to support the cycling community and provide customers with simple and more diversified travel solutions.

The Thule ProRide carrier can transport most frame styles and types – from mountain to road – making it an ideal solution for road cyclists, triathletes and mountain bikers alike.

“The decision of what bike carrier to go with was an easy one.

“Thule is the world leader in gear transport solutions and Australia’s most trusted brand of bike carrier. Each carrier comes with secure locks and is pre-assembled meaning that no tools are required, giving customers peace of mind and convenience,” Warmington said.

The new vehicles will come with comprehensive instructions, a one-page disclosure statement and safety reminders about vehicle clearance heights.

Europcar will begin the roll out of the new fleet from June with the vision to expand to other major centres across Australia by the end of 2014.