5 Bike Accessories for the Urban Commuter

I mentioned earlier this week that I was going to give up driving my truck as much as possible. Its not that the thing gets bad gas mileage (its a small 4 cylinder pickup), but Im tired of paying for gas. Since I live in the metro Atlanta area I figured a bike would be a good investment. Most of the locations I visit for daily errands are all within biking and walking distance so I decided to start looking into bikes. Since I will be using the bike for commuting and errands, I decided the bike needed a few accessories to make it more useful around town. Below are a few of my recommendations of accessories for commuter bikers.

NiteRider UltraFazer 3.0 / TL 5.0 Combo Light Set
There is no telling when you will get caught out a night, on a foggy day, or broke down on the side of the road. As such, a hand light set is worth investing in. This light set comes with a blinking rear light and and a handle bar headlight. These make riding round town at night safer and just a little easier.
Buy Now: $29

Topeak Aero Wedge DX Seat Bag
These under seat bags are great for keep emergency items such as repair kits, first aid items, and other small stuff. If you didnt want a handlebar bag, this could also be a great place to store keys and money. I like to have one of these and the handlebar bag.
Buy Now: $23

Novara ‘Round Town Panniers
These are perfect for shopping errands around town. They give you plenty of room to carry a few shopping bags, groceries, or whatever else you day has you carrying. They don’t close, which is nice for over sized objects. If you are worried about rain, you can always find panniers that close and are waterproof.
Buy Now: $55

Novara Bar Top Handlebar Bag
The handlebar bar is great for storing all the stuff in your pockets when you don’t feel like carrying a backpack. There is plenty of room for keys, cell phones, iPods and more. The clear map pocket is a great place for your iPod. It lets you see and control your iPod while you ride.
Buy Now: $20

Cannondale Bobby Cargo Rack Trunk
If you opt for a rear cargo rack, a waterproof truck such as this isn’t a bad idea. These are perfect for sudden showers or storing gear that just can’t get wet. They also remove easily allowing to use the cargo rack for larger items if needed.
Buy Now: $65