Thule releases bike carrier with built-in parking sensors

• New bike carrier has four integrated parking sensors
• Activates automatically when reversing
• Available in 2- and 3-bike versions

Bike owners – ever had that terrible fear that you'll reverse your precious rides into a wall because your bike carrier is obscuring your parking sensors?

Well, help is at hand thanks to Thule, which has just released a new towbar-mounted carrier with four parking sensors integrated into the design. The Thule Epos ParkSecure, which went on sale this month, activates automatically when you reverse, and communicates wirelessly with an in-car unit that gives the driver audio and visual alerts (via a dedicated app) to avoid unwanted contact when manoeuvring.

Thule says the new carrier can carry up to 30kg per bike, with wheels up to 29 inches and wheelbases up to 1350mm. That should ensure it can haul everything from carbon road bikes to heavy e-bikes.

Both two-bike and three-bike versions are available, with telescopic arms with pivoting heads that attach at the frame or rear wheel, which means they can adapt to different geometries. Both versions are fully foldable for storage and tiltable for access to the boot. The three-bike version includes integrated transport wheels.

You can order the Thule Epose ParkSecure now. The two-bike model costs £1319.99, while the three-bike version is £1449.99. The standard Epos, without the sensors, costs £999.99 for the two-bike model, or £1099.99 for the three-bike.