Carrying your stuff
Published 16 March 2012
If you're thinking about commuting to work by bike, one of the first things you'll have to decide is how you're going to carry your stuff. The kind of bike you have, and the style you like, will make a difference. Take a look at the range of options, and decide which is best for you.
Basket
The basket is an excellent way of carrying your daily gear on a bike. You can just drop your normal bag inside it and go, with the added advantage of being able to keep your stuff in sight at all times. Just remember to make sure everything is protected if it looks like it might rain. Elastic luggage nets are great for stretching over the top of your basket, to stop stuff bouncing out if you go over any bumps.
Backpack
Ideal for carrying commuter-sized loads (like a laptop, lunch, a few tools and some waterproofs). Rugged outdoor packs are usually water-resistant and are often specially constructed to help prevent sweaty back syndrome and keep things nice and stable.
Courier bags
Proper courier bags sling across one shoulder and are stabilised by a second strap around the waist. They've got the advantage of carrying weight lower down (lower centre of gravity is always good on a bike). Beware fake courier designs with no stabiliser strap though – a fully-loaded bag swinging loose mid-traffic can be a scary thing indeed.
Panniers
If you prefer to let the bike carry the weight, panniers are ideal. They're bags which mount on each side of a rack, which attaches to the rear of your bike. They keep the weight low to the ground, offer great capacity for all your daily goods, and the best designs attach securely and detach quickly thanks to smartly designed quick release fixings. Some models are totally waterproof, while others convert from rucksack to pannier for ultimate versatility. Check your bike out first though, as not all can fit pannier racks.
Saddlebags
These bags mount laterally behind the saddle, requiring saddle loops or a specific support. They're great for commuter-sized loads, don't require a rear rack (like panniers) and they're also up out of the way of road grime and potential damage.
Whatever you do, don't dangle carrier bags off your handlebars! This seriously destabilises your bike and makes it difficult to turn or react quickly to hazards.
