Ryanair "reduces" bike fee from €50 to €60, flies into cloud of Twitter derision

Cut-price airline RyanAir has flown into a storm of contempt on social media after announcing that it had "reduced" its fees for carrying sporting equipment, while actually adding €10 to the cost of flying with a bike.

In an announcement on its website this morning, the budget carrier said:

Ryanair, Europe’s favourite airline, today (28 April) enhanced its sport equipment carriage service and reduced its fees from a €50 flat rate into 5 different categories; bike, large sport, skis, golf bag and small sport, making it even easier for customers to travel with their sporting equipment on Europe’s lowest fares.

Ryanair customers can now book the following options:
Bike - €60 each way
Large sport (including but not limited to surfboard, canoe, kayak etc.) - €60 each way
Skis - €40 each way (reduced from €50)
Golf bag - €30 each way (reduced from €50)
Small sport (fishing rod, bowling ball, racquet, hockey stick etc.) - €30 each way (reduced from €50)

Ryanair describes this change to its sporting goods pricing structure as part of its “Always Getting Better” programme, but the announcement was swiftly dissected by the Twitter cycling community's arithmetical experts.

@roadccdave @Ryanair have "reduced" the fee for a bike from €50 to €60 ? Did I read that right?

— Chris Gerhard (@chrisgerhard) April 28, 2015

@Ryanair reduced bike fee from 50 to 60 euro each way is that an error? Still cheaper on Easyjet. Also, what if i put my bike in a golf bag?

— marksuttonbike (@marksuttonbike) April 28, 2015

.@Ryanair Charging more for bikes isn't improved is it? “Always Getting Better” my arse. How do you justify €120 for bike on RTN flight?

— Dave Smith (@ffflow) April 28, 2015

Others wanted to know just what you get for your money. Our own Big Dave is waiting to be told whether paying the fee now actually guarantees your bike will fly with you.

.@Ryanair does the new policy guarantee the sports equipment on the flight when booked?

— Dave Atkinson (@roadccdave) April 28, 2015

But maybe there are some new benefits? (It appears not.)

@ffflow @Ryanair €120?! Does that at least include full and immediate refund for a damaged bike?

— Mrs Honeycakehorse (@DorianSalome) April 28, 2015

@DorianSalome @Ryanair I'd want a massage from a unicorn for that much.

— Dave Smith (@ffflow) April 28, 2015