Questions people ask

WHAT IS BUNK-A-BIKER?

A worldwide community of motorcycle riders who host travelling riders at their homes, free. The idea is not a free place to sleep — it is building a supportive community where you meet other riders.

WHAT DOES IT COST?

Nothing, and there should never be any money between a host and a guest. Running it is not free, so if you want to and can, contributing helps. If a host tries to charge you, report it.

DO I HAVE TO HOST TO BE A GUEST?

No. It takes all kinds to make a community like this. Some people host, some are mostly guests, and plenty do neither or both at different times.

CAN I HOST IF I DO NOT RIDE ANY MORE?

Absolutely. Many hosts cannot ride due to age or health and are very much part of this.

CAN I USE IT IF I AM NOT ON A BIKE?

We prefer people to be riding. If you are hauling bikes in a rig or travelling by car, contact hosts directly and ask whether they are willing.

WHAT ABOUT PETS OR KIDS?

Every host is different. Tell them your situation when you get in touch and they will say whether it works.

IS IT SAFE FOR A WOMAN TRAVELLING ALONE?

Only stay with a host if you are comfortable doing so, whatever your gender, age, bike or background. The owner of Bunk-a-Biker is a woman who travels solo and stays with hosts around the world. Reports do get investigated, and for a community of this size there are remarkably few. Most of what comes back is positive.

WHAT IF I DO NOT PLAN MY RIDES?

Then hotels are probably a better fit. Hotels are open at three in the morning; hosts are people with jobs, families and lives. If you want to be welcomed into someone's home, you will need to plan enough to contact them and arrange it.

WHAT IF I MIGHT NOT ARRIVE WHEN I SAID?

Communication is the whole thing. If a medical condition or anything else might affect your arrival, say so at the start. If a host cannot accommodate uncertainty they should tell you. As long as you keep them informed you will not be in trouble.

HOW FAR AHEAD SHOULD I GET IN TOUCH?

Follow what the listing says. If it does not say, one to fourteen days. One to three is most common. Same day sometimes works; a month out rarely does, because most people do not know what they are doing that far ahead.

WHY IS THERE NO RATING SYSTEM?

Two reasons. People do not review fairly, and it would not be right for a host who opens their home to be marked down because the house is cluttered on account of kids or pets. The second reason has been cost.

WHY DO YOU NOT COLLECT ID OR RUN CHECKS?

Cost, the law around storing personal information, and — most importantly — because it would be a false sense of security. Taking someone's photo does not make them safe. It is up to each host and each guest to weigh up who they are meeting. Tell your family where you will be, and ask for whatever you need to feel comfortable.

WHAT WILL GET ME BANNED?

Behaviour unbecoming of a community. Being removed from a Facebook group does not remove you from Bunk-a-Biker — Facebook is not required to be part of this. See the community rules.

CAN BUNK-A-BIKER HELP IF I BREAK DOWN?

You can use it to find help getting your bike to a mechanic, or somewhere to stay while it is fixed. Contact hosts near where you are, or post on the regional Facebook group with your location.

IS BUNK-A-BIKER A CLUB?

No. It is a community of all kinds of riders. Club members are welcome on the same terms as everyone else.