Here are six items you can find in any bike commuter’s bag
Photo by Emil Bruckner/Unsplash
There’s no doubt that biking to work could be the best decision of your life. You should know, however, that you’re going to start bringing extra stuff with you. There are a few essentials you have to carry for a safe ride so we asked Nolisoli.ph associate managing editor and bike commuter Bea Celdran all about it.
Raincoat
We all know how unpredictable the weather could be in the Philippines. One minute it’s sunny and the next it’s a storm. It’s not safe to ride around while holding an umbrella, so bring a raincoat instead. It doesn’t take up a lot of space because they’re usually foldable and compact.
Front light
Visibility is important if you’re going out to bike. Sometimes you can’t help it if you have to stay late for work so never leave this one behind. This is to make sure cars and other vehicles can see you as you’re biking. Get a rechargeable one that uses a USB port so it’s easier to charge, and you won’t have an excuse to say that it doesn’t have batteries.
Helmet
Even if you say that you’ve got the route and all the bumps memorized, it’s still better to be safe than sorry. Make sure to bring and wear a helmet every time you ride. It doesn’t even have to be an aerodynamically efficient helmet, just something hard enough to protect your head.
Cycling shoes
Not all offices would let you wear your bike shoes to work, and riding in regular shoes would just wreck and wear them out fast. In this case, bring extra footwear to change into once you get to work. If you don’t want to carry around an extra pair, you can always just leave your work shoes at your desk.
Bag cover
Similar to the raincoat, you wouldn’t want your work stuff to get wet when it rains. These covers are used by trail hikers and backpackers, but there are inexpensive ones you can buy too. It usually just looks like a raincoat made for bags, so it’s waterproof and easy to carry around.
Sunglasses
On top of being seen, you also want to see other vehicles. The glare of the sun can be pretty harsh during sunset or after sunrise, so sunglasses are essential especially when you’re riding in the direction facing the sun. It isn’t just for the sun, but for cars, too. Some vehicles have blinding headlights that might obstruct your vision, so it helps ease the light in these cases.