Bags & Accessories
Active Travel Hub > Cycling > Clothing and Equipment > Bags and Accessories
Bags
So you want to cycle to the shops? But how do you carry everything back with you? There are many ways of doing it and none of those are looping the shopping bag round the handlebars!
Rucksack
A rucksack is a quick, cheap and affordable way to carry items on your bike. Ensure the straps are properly adjusted and it doesn’t move around too much as you cycle. If you’re purchasing a lot of heavy items then it might be worth considering alternative carrying methods.
Basket
Bike baskets are great for just dropping stuff into and they can attach to any bike. Beware that they aren’t waterproof and that having extra weight on the front of the bars will effect how the bike handles.
Panniers
Panniers are bags that fit to the front or rear of a bike, which allow you to carry a lot more than a rucksack (depending on their capacity). The main benefit is it’s easier to cycle without a heavy backpack.
You will need to have a bike rack fitted before being able to use panniers, but they are relatively cheap and easy to get hold of locally.
Saddle Bags & Handlebar Bags
These are a good in-between option for carrying luggage on a bike. You can attach them to your bike with straps (no tools needed). They come in all shapes and sizes and can stay on the bike when you’re not cycling.
