What to Pack when Biking to Work
Bicycle Commute with a Lock, Lights, Tire Repair Kit and Rain Gear.
Cyclists who ride to work or school need to the right accessories to fend off thieves, flat tires, darkness, rain and absent-mindedness.
Whether they choose backpacks, panniers or messenger bags, bike commuters need to be ready for all the surprises of the road.
Here’s what to pack in the bike commuter bag:
A lock.
How secure depends on several factors, including the amount of bike theft in the area, the kind of bike storage at work and the cost of the bike. But some kind of bike lock is necessary. Even if the bike is completely secure at work (and few are), most cyclists will want to be able to stop somewhere -- say, the grocery store -- on the way home. Even if the bike is a $20 garage sale find, someone will take it if it's left too long without a lock.
Chris Cameron, commuting specialist for Seattle's Cascade Bicycle Club says most should avoid cable locks.
"Even the biggest ones are easily dismantled with a pair of bolt cutters," he says.
Instead, commuters should spend more and buy a secure U-lock.
There are a variety of online resources rating locks. The most secure devices come with anti-theft warranties, though you won't necessarily collect on the warranty if the bike gets stolen.
"The thief needs to leave the lock behind, so you can send that in along with the police report, and not many thieves leave the locks behind," Cameron says.
Lights and batteries.
Every cyclist on the road in the dark needs a headlight and (at least) a rear reflector. In many places, it’s not just for safety: it’s the law. Many bike commuters favor flashing red LED lights for the rear and flashing white LED lights for the headlight: choices that save batteries and keep cyclists visible to cars.
Cameron argues that this isn't just a good choice at night, but in the daytime as well. It's a good way to help cars see you on the road.
It's a good idea to bring spare batteries.
In areas without streetlights, a cluster of conventional white LEDs will not be enough to light the way. Instead, cyclists need to spend more than $100 on more powerful lights, and the hefty rechargeable batteries that come with them.
First aid for the bike.
Here’s the basic toolkit for nasty surprises on the road: lube, a folding set of Allen keys, and gear to be ready for flat tires. The best kit is a bike pump that can attach to your bike's frame, two spare inner tubes (with the same diameter, width and valves as the ones on your bike) and bike tire repair kit. Bike stores also sell disposable CO2 canisters, but these only work once and can be tricky to use, Cameron says.
The idea is to be able to remove the punctured tube, replace it with an intact one, inflate it and keep riding. Later (though not too much later) it'll be time to fix the tube.
Waterproofing.
A waterproof jacket and pants at the bottom of the bag can save a cyclist a lot of discomfort in a surprise rain shower. And the bag should be waterproof too.
Double check.
Cyclists who need to shower and change at work (and are lucky enough to work in a place with a shower) should double check before they go, to make sure they have every item of clothing. Many a bike commuter has anecdotes of making unscheduled pit stops for shirts, underpants or a bra. Cameron avoids this problem by storing a spare set of clothes at work.
