From the article: Essential Bike Commuter Gear
If you commute to work or school, you know there are certain items you have to have no matter what. Share what's on your list of essential items, those things absolutely required to make your bike commute happen. Share What's On Your List
Quart Bags
- I always carry my phone and wallet (Or anything else important) in a quart plastic bag, rain or shine.
- —Guest Jonathan
Odds and ends
- If you do not change clothes dr your commute, you will need pants clips or straps to secure your pants cuffs from entanglement in the bike chain and other components. I ride the subway so I have devised a parking brake by tightly wrapping the rear brake lever with a velcro strap available from an outdoor recreation store. This brake allows you to lean the bike against the wall unattended in a moving train. If part of your commute includes the subway, you will most likely finding yourself carrying your bike up long flights of stairs to avoid long lines at elevators and escalators. The common carrying technique is to rest the top bar on your shoulder. You may want a top bar pad available at most bike stores.
- —Guest Gary
Helmet, bell, mirror, computer
- Great article, a couple things missing. Helmets are required by law in several places, and are common sense anyway. I know my head is worth the $55. Bells are regulated now, too, and if you're commuting around pedestrians and residential neighborhoods, they are another common sense idea. Bikes get squished by cars. 90% of the time is from getting rear-ended. Mirrors allow you to see what the idiot in the big pickup behind you is doing. Computers are handy for having a clock, measuring speed and distance, and on some higher end, cadence. Not a necessity, but useful information nonetheless.
- —Guest Brad
