Take a bicycle on a plane trip so you don't have to rent a bike at your destination to continue your fitness or recreational riding regimen. Airlines permit you to check your bike and place it in the plane's cargo hold during the journey, although some require you to place the bike inside a bag or other casing. If your bike doesn't fall within the airline's checked bag weight requirements, the airline assesses additional fees for the extra weight.

Call your airline's customer service hotline and ask about policies related to taking a bike on board. Ask whether or not the bike needs to be placed inside a bag or other container and whether it needs to be fully or partially disassembled.

Visit your local bicycle store and ask the associate to show you bike bags. They vary in shape and size, and some require you to partially disassemble the bicycle before placing the bike inside. Even if your airline doesn't require bike bags, they protect the bike from damage and conceal it from the prying eyes of would-be thieves.

Ask the associate to show you how to put the bike inside the bag you buy. If the bag is small, for example, you might need to remove one or both of the wheels or even the handlebars from the bike. Make sure you have all the tools you need and understand how to insert and remove the bike before you leave the bike shop.

Bring the bike with you to the airport already packed and disassembled. Airlines don't accept bags and cargo that don't meet their requirements. Watch as the airline representative weighs the bike and pay any additional fees for excessive weight.