If there’s one group of cyclists I deeply admire, it’s the dedicated bike commuters. Rain or shine, scorching heat or biting cold, they take to the streets on two wheels, pedaling their way to work or errands with grit and determination.
But let’s face it—bike commuting isn’t always a smooth ride. From freezing rain and dense fog to dodging less-than-considerate drivers, the challenges are real. That’s why having the right gear isn’t just helpful—it’s essential for staying safe and making the journey (mostly) enjoyable.
If you’re on the hunt for the perfect gift for the bike commuter in your life, I’ve rounded up my top picks to keep their pedal-powered adventures rolling strong and stress-free.
under $20
Portland Design Works Bar-Ista Coffee Cup Holder
Bike commuters need their morning coffee, too! This clever Bar-ista coffee cup holder attaches to the handlebars, so they don’t have to choose between a morning cup of joe and a bike ride to the office. It fits insulated mugs as well as to-go cups if they want to stop at their favorite coffee shop on the way.
REI Toiletry Bag
I think most bike commuters will agree that it’s nice to have a small toiletry kit to freshen up when they get to their workplace. The REI Travel Kit is big enough to fit all your toiletry essentials, but small enough to not take up a lot of precious cargo space.
Nite Ize See’Em Spoke Lights
If your bike commuter will be commuting in the dark – either early morning or evening – make sure they’re as visible as possible with these fun Nite Ize See’Em spoke lights!
Park Tool Chain Cleaning System
Bike chains can get pretty grimy and gross when biking on city streets. It’s good to wipe them off and lube them after every ride, but it’s also good to give them a deeper clean every now and then, too. The Park Tool Chain Cleaning set includes everything you need to keep your chain clean and grime-free.
Bike Peddler Take A Look Mirror
I always like to ride defensively when I’m in cities or in traffic and having a reliable bike mirror is crucial for that. The Bike Peddler Take A Look Mirror attaches to your helmet visor (or glasses if you’re wearing any) and gives you a clear rear-view look of traffic coming up behind you.
Full-Viz Reflective Slap Band
It’s super important to be highly visible when biking in the city, which is why commuters should always wear some sort of high-vis piece of clothing or accessories. When worn on the ankle, this simple snap-on cuff can make riders much more visible to drivers.
Best gifts under $50
Humangear Go Toob Bottles
I have these humangear GoToob squeeze bottles for traveling, but they would be perfect for bike commuting, too. Fill them with shampoo, conditioner, lotion, shower gel, etc… so you can be clean and fresh for work. These are the 2.5oz ones, but they also come in larger and smaller sizes.
Spurcycle Bike Bell
Every bike commuter needs a bell. Whether it’s used to alert walkers on the bike path that you’re passing or to scatter a flock of pigeons, bells are very useful. This Spurcycle Compact Bell has a nice ring and it attaches rights to the handlebars. If you want something louder, check out the Spurcycle Original Bell.
HANDUP ColdER Gloves
HANDUP is my go-to brand for mountain bike gloves. I love the fun colors, patterns, and quips across the palms! For commuting, the ColdER Gloves are a great choice for when the temps drop.
Best gifts under $100
Ortlieb Back-Roller Commuter Organizer
If your bike commuter already has an Ortlieb Back-Roller Pannier (or you want to get them that as a gift, too!), this Organizer Insert is a great way for them to keep their belongings nice and organized.
Cygolite Dash Pro Bike Light Set
One of the best gifts for commuters is a bike light set. Bike lights are essential for making sure cyclists are visible on busy roads (and so they can see if their commute is in the dark). The Cygolite Dash Pro bike light set is a reliable option that puts out 600-lumens in front and 50-lumens in back.
Gore Helmet Rain Cover
Commuters need good rain protection, but most forget about keeping their head warm and dry. This helmet rain cover fits over most helmets (those without a visor work best) and prevents rain from seeping through the vents.
CYCPLUS AS2 E-Pump
Flats happen. They’re just an unfortunate part of being a cyclist. But, fixing a flat (especially in the rain or when you’re late for work) doesn’t have to be a major headache when you have this clever little electric bike pump! The Cycplus E-Pump can inflate a tire in seconds and is USB rechargeable.
Best gifts under $200
Showers Pass Transit Pants
For those die-hard bike commuters who won’t let a bit (or a lot) of rain keep them from commuting, these Showers Pass Transit Pants are essential. Fully waterproof and designed in Portland, Oregon (where it rains a lot), they’re lightweight and breathable, yet keep the wet out. They also have plenty of reflective tape to keep you visible even in low-visibility conditions.
Pearl iZUMI Quest Barrier Jacket
For cool fall mornings or brisk summer nights, a windproof jacket is an essential for any bike commuter. I love the Pearl iZUMi Quest Barrier Jacket because it’s lightweight, yet provides a substantial amount of protection from wind, cold, and even light rain.
Ortlieb Back-Roller Urban Pannier
Panniers are typically the mode de operandi that most bike commuters choose to carry their things. Ortlieb is often the brand of pannier choice because of their legendary waterproofness and German engineering. This Ortlieb Back-Roller Urban Pannier comes as a single pannier and can fit quite a bit of gear. It’s also waterproof and fits on most racks.
Portland Design Works Fenders
If you live in a place that gets rain, fenders are non-negotiable for bike commuters. No one wants that stripe of mud and dirt running up their backside. Portland Design Works knows best when it comes to designing good fenders (it rains a lot in Portland….). Their Full Metal Fenders are heavy-duty and will keep the mud at bay. They do come in several sizes, so be sure to check your commuter’s tire size and width.
Thousand Chapter Helmet
You should always wear a helmet when riding a bike, but why not make it fun and stylish? The Thousand Chapter Helmet has a cool urban design that will look good on any commuter. It also comes with a helmet light and a secret poplock so you can lock your helmet with your bike.
Chrome Industries Urban Ex Backpack
When I lived in Seattle, I commuted to school by bike with my Chrome Industries backpack. Chrome Industries has a long history of designing and making high-quality bike commuting backpacks, messenger bags, slings, and more. They definitely have a cult following and a unique look, but their bags would make a great gift for any commuter. This Urban Ex is a classic, but they have many other styles.
Ombraz Sunglasses
I’m a huge fan of Ombraz Sunglasses. I have two pairs and I use them on all my bikepacking trips. What sets them apart? They don’t have any side arms to break! Instead, they secure around your head with an adjustable strap. I know, I was skeptical too, but they work really well and there’s nothing to break. They’d be perfect for bike commuting because they fit under a bike helmet, have a neck strap, and they look cool. You can read my full review here.
Redshift Suspension Stem
Most commuter bikes are ‘fully rigid’, meaning they don’t have any suspension (like mountain bikes) to smooth out bumps and vibrations. Usually, roads and bike paths don’t have too many imperfections, but they can still feel rough on the hands and body, especially day in and out of bike commuting. The Redshift Suspension stem provides a small (but effective!) amount of suspension, which helps reduce fatigue and make the ride (even) more enjoyable.
Old Man Mountain Divide Bike Rack
A bike rack and pannier is one of the most common ways for commuters to carry their stuff. I love Old Man Mountain Divide racks because they’re super durable and versatile and they can accomodate most panniers (like the Ortlieb one I’ve recommended above). Thanks to OLM’s ‘fit kits’, the Divide Rack can also be used on pretty much any bike and model.
Best gifts $200+
Rogue Panda Custom Frame Bag
Rogue Panda is my bike bag brand of choice for bikepacking gear. They’re based in Flagstaff, Arizona and they make high-quality frame bags custom-fit to specific bikes. What does that mean? It means that your frame bag will be one-of-a-kind, especially if you choose a fun pattern or color for your waterproof material! For commuters, a partial or full frame bag is a great choice for storing a repair kit, extra layer, or other commuting essentials.
Showers Pass Transit Jacket
Showers Pass makes some of the best gifts for bike commuters because their apparel is designed for wet weather riding and commuting. The Showers Pass Transit Jacket is the ideal jacket for urban cycling. It’s fully waterproof, packs down small, is crisscrossed with reflective tape for high visibility, and has a ton of pockets so you can stash that breakfast burrito for later.
Burley travoy Cargo Carrier
The Burley Travoy Bike Cargo Trailer makes errands by bike or commuting to work easier and more fun! Use it to carry your work bag or haul groceries back home.
Read next
Looking for more gift ideas? Check out these other two-wheeled focused gift guides:
What ideas do you have for gifts for bike commuters? Have you received an awesome present that you use on your commutes? Leave a comment below!
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