A folding bicycle is a type of bicycle that incorporates hinges or joints in the frame that permit it to be broken down into a more compact size. Most 'folders' have 20 inch (51 cm) diameter wheels, or less. Folding bikes can be taken on public transport and into apartment buildings or workplaces where conventional bicycles are not allowed. This facilitates mixed-mode commuting, because a folding bike can be carried on any available transport, and ridden when there is none. Folding bikes are also easier to transport in a car.
Folding bicycles typically cost more than non-folding bicycles of comparable quality, because they have more parts to allow folding. This results in a more complicated design, which is more complex to manufacture. There is also a smaller market for this type of bike. As an alternative to folding, some models achieve similar results by separating into two or more parts. These are sometimes grouped in the same category as folding bicycles but are also referred to as break-away, disassemblable, or separable bicycles.
