I want a bike to ride around my ~ 2 mile flat complex. I own a Yaris sedan.

[SyZ]

How do I transport this thing around, given that I move hundreds of miles every 6 months?

[dandarc]

Take the front wheel off and put it in your car?  I've fit a bike in my Sentra this way.  No idea how it compares in size.

[mskyle]

Yeah, I've put a roadbike in my Yaris hatchback - popped the front wheel off, put down the seats, laid it down flat. Might work in a sedan. I also have a rear rack that straps onto the hatch (it can also strap onto a trunk). Or you can get a hitch rack or a roof rack.

[renata ricotta]

Do you always move just with your Yaris (as in, you have very little stuff and no furniture)? I put my bike in the uhaul trailer last time I moved, and braced it between furniture and with straps; worked fine.

Also, since your biking needs will be pretty simple, you can buy a very cheap and simple bike used on craigslist. Often with cheap stuff on craigslist/stuff at thrift stores, I think of it more like renting instead of buying. Buy a bike cheap for $100, sell it cheap at the end of the six months, and then do it again the next place. Even if you lose some money every time, it might be awhile before it's worth buying a rack.

Also - serious question - have you thought about just getting a skateboard/walking more? 2 miles and flat is almost to the point of not even requiring wheels, IMO. (Unless you also want your bike to haul stuff - but getting a bike trailer would just compound your problem with frequent moves).

[SyZ]

Yes, very little stuff. Usually all fits in the car, to near capacity

Interesting idea re: Craigslist, but doesn't that just exemplify the problem? Like, how do I buy a bike from someone 9 miles away and transport it home unless I somehow ... have a way to transport it home?

No, not hauling anything, and not going to work or anything just yet (work is 7 miles away). Just to start moving my legs at first and getting exercise and then maybe graduating to something more if I enjoy it. More of a going to a gym for a free visit to see if I like it before dropping $300 on a 2 year pass type of thing

[MilesTeg]

get a bike rack?

https://www.yakima.com/activity/bike?mount_location=53

[renata ricotta]

Yes, very little stuff. Usually all fits in the car, to near capacity

Interesting idea re: Craigslist, but doesn't that just exemplify the problem? Like, how do I buy a bike from someone 9 miles away and transport it home unless I somehow ... have a way to transport it home?

No, not hauling anything, and not going to work or anything just yet (work is 7 miles away). Just to start moving my legs at first and getting exercise and then maybe graduating to something more if I enjoy it. More of a going to a gym for a free visit to see if I like it before dropping $300 on a 2 year pass type of thing

You could take an uber or have a friend drop you off and ride the bike home (or pay a little extra to meet the seller in a mutually convenient public place). Obviously, the point is to keep track of the incidental expenses related to not having a bike rack, and decide whether they are reasonably likely to eclipse the cost of just getting a bike rack. If it were me, I'd probably at least start out this way, because I'm not always totally sure I'm going to stick with a new hobby, so I like to keep the start up costs minimal until I'm sure it's something I'll be figuring out long-term.

[MoneyCat]

Bike rack would work even for a Yaris. No problem.

[mskyle]

Seriously. Bike rack. $40 on Amazon. Less on craigslist or at a yard sale.

Transporting a bike by Yaris is not a problem. Even without the rack, if you take off the front wheel (most front wheels are quick-release) and maybe the pedals, you can probably fit a bike in the back seat. If you take off both wheels (only slightly more difficult) you could carry a bike in a backpack if you were so inclined.

[NESailor]

Yuuuup, trunk rack.  I got mine on CL for like $15 ten years ago.  I had 3 full suspension bikes on the back of it once for a total of easily over 100 lbs and it held up fine dangling off the back of my Civic sedan.  I wouldn't recommend that for long trips but 1 or 2 "normal" bikes will be absolutely no problem whatsoever.  I can even pop the trunk and get in with a bike ON the rack.

[lbmustache]

I used to have this for my Jetta: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DNL4C16/ref=s9_acsd_al_bw_c_x_5
Worked great even at highway speeds.

[CATman]

Seriously. Bike rack. $40 on Amazon. Less on craigslist or at a yard sale.

Transporting a bike by Yaris is not a problem. Even without the rack, if you take off the front wheel (most front wheels are quick-release) and maybe the pedals, you can probably fit a bike in the back seat. If you take off both wheels (only slightly more difficult) you could carry a bike in a backpack if you were so inclined.

I have this exact rack and I can attest that it works great!