Bike Rack on the Front of you Car

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Brovane

Diamond Member
Dec 18, 2001
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I was driving on the I-5 today through LA and I went pass a Honda Pilot with a bike rack on the front of the car. I was kind of like WTF. Who puts a bike rack on the front of there car and there was 2 bikes on the bike rack that the person had to look through while they where driving. I see bike racks on a bus that are in front but the driver sits above the racks so his view isnt' obstructed. This is the first I have ever seen somebody drive with a bike rack on the front of there car with bike's in the rack.

Does anybody know if this is against the law? Has anbody else seen this? It just doesn't seem like a good idea to me.
 

Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
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I've seen a few, but yeah, it's pretty rare.
 

jlee

Lifer
Sep 12, 2001
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I don't think you're going to find a specific "Do not mount a bike rack on the front of your car" law. In NH, I would likely go with

265:95 Obstruction to Driver's View or Riding Mechanism. ?
I. No person shall drive a vehicle when it is so loaded, or when there are in the front seat such a number of persons, exceeding 3, as to obstruct the view of the driver, to the front or side of the vehicle or as to interfere with the driver's control over the driving mechanism of the vehicle.
II. No passenger in a vehicle shall ride in such position as to interfere with the driver's view ahead or to the sides, or to interfere with his control over the driving mechanism of the vehicle.
III. No person shall drive upon any way any vehicle with any sign, poster, sticker or other nontransparent material upon or adjacent to the front windshield, side wings, or side or rear windows of such vehicle which shall obstruct the driver's clear view of the way or any intersecting way, unless authorized by the director so to do. No person shall drive upon any way any vehicle with after market tinting on the windshield or on the windows to the left and right of the driver, as prohibited under RSA 266:58-a.
IV. Any person who violates the provisions of paragraph I, II, or III of this section shall be subject to a fine of $75.
 

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
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Most likely what they've done is taken a trunk mount rack and attached it to the hood (since the Honda Pilot doesn't have a trunk). I don't know of any company which makes a front mount bike rack...seems like a bad idea IMO.
 

Kelemvor

Lifer
May 23, 2002
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I'd think they'd be illegal since they'd be impairing your ability to see. Just like you can't put GPSs on the windshield in some places.
 

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
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Originally posted by: wiredspider
people have fishing rod holders in front of their cars too

I've never seen them loaded and driving though. I've only seen them in use at the beach surf fishing.
 

Squisher

Lifer
Aug 17, 2000
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I've seen a front mounted bike rack on a motor-home. Way out of the sight lines.

 

thedarkwolf

Diamond Member
Oct 13, 1999
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Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Most likely what they've done is taken a trunk mount rack and attached it to the hood (since the Honda Pilot doesn't have a trunk). I don't know of any company which makes a front mount bike rack...seems like a bad idea IMO.

There are hitches that mount to the front of trucks/RVs/SUVs and I see bike racks in those every now and again usually when they are towing something already. As long as they aren't blocking your vision I don't see a problem with it. Using a trunk rack on the front of a car would definitely block vision.
 

achtung padma

Junior Member
Jun 16, 2015
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Anyone who puts a bike rack in the front of the SUV/car does not have very good common sense (seems to be a lot of that lately). They are made to put on the back of the vehicle. The driver needs to see clearly out of the vehicle. Exception: HUGE trucks! Why? Line of sight! Was driving in Southern Oregon recently and saw a guy driving with a bike rack on the front of his SUV. Vehicle looked loaded with family, camping gear, etc. Personally, I'd throw half the camping gear up on the roof rack, put the bike rack on the back and leave the dog home! Hopefully that family made it home, and any other family that could have been involved in an accident, due to the failure of common sense lacking by that poor guy! Stay safe people!
 

bbhaag

Diamond Member
Jul 2, 2011
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I've seen a front mounted bike rack on a motor-home. Way out of the sight lines.

Back in the late 80's early 90's my dad bought hard into the RV craze. I spent many summers traveling across the east coast/south east in the back of and RV. On the front of the RV was a bike rack.

EDIT:Man I didn't notice this thread was from '09....
 
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brainhulk

Diamond Member
Sep 14, 2007
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I guess some people value their bikes more than their cars they haul their bikes with. I know my carbon mtn bike is worth more than my old suv i use to haul it.

Also after i ride, i spray degreaser and lightly hose it down with water. Strapping to the front would dry it out quick and thoroughly.

I'd only do it though if my view were unobstructed
 
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