Looking for the best gifts for bike commuters? I’ve rounded up my top picks to help them safe, warm, and dry and have fun on their commutes.
If there is one type of person I respect the most, it’s a hearty bike commuter. They’ll set off to their workplace or to run some errands no matter the weather, temperature, or time of day.
But bike commuters can face many obstacles and challenges getting from point A to point B (freezing rain, heavy fog, a**hole drivers…) So, they need to right gear to keep them safe and make their commute as pleasant as possible.
If you’re looking for the best gifts for bike commuters, I’ve selected my top picks to help them keep their pedal-powered pursuits going strong and (mostly) enjoyable.
Best gifts under $20
1. 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.
It works best with tapered mugs like this Hydro Flask tumbler.
2. Eagle Creek 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 Eagle Creek Pack-It Reveal Quick Trip bag is big enough to fit all your toiletry essentials, but small enough to not take up a lot of precious cargo space.
3. 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 Nite Ize See’Em spoke lights.
They attach to the bike spokes and are battery-powered (batteries included). You do have to turn them on and off manually, but that’s a small task for safety.
4. Park Tool ChainBrite Cleaner
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 ChainBrite Cleaner is a biodegradable cleaner that helps remove built-up grease and dirt.
You can use it with a rag or really get a deep clean with the Park Tool Chain Cleaning System.
5. 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.
Best gifts under $50
6. Humangear Go Toob Bottles
I have these humangear GoToob squeeze bottles for traveling, but they would be perfect for bike commuting, too.
They can be filled with shampoo, conditioner, lotion, shower gel, etc… for cleaning up before work. These are the 2.5oz ones, but they also come in a larger and smaller size.
The best thing about these bottles, though, is that they have a locking ‘collar’ to prevent any dreaded messes.
7. 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.
8. 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. They have a nice fleece lining and the outer shell is water-repellant. They’re also touchscreen-compatible and have a soft nose-wipe on the thumbs.
9. Cotopaxi Packing Cubes
I use packing cubes when I travel because they keep things organized and easy to find.
They’re also great for bike commuting because you can slip them in and out of your panniers without having all your stuff explode everywhere.
I love these colorful packing cubes by Cotopaxi, but if you’re on a budget, you can find cheaper ones on Amazon.
10. Bivo Stainless Steel Water Bottle
Say goodbye to chemical-leaching plastic water bottles and say hello to a clean-tasting Bivo Stainless Steel one.
Made from strong and durable stainless steel and BPA-free silicone, this water bottle is revolutionizing the cycling scene.
Best gifts under $100
11. 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.
It has a number of different pockets and pouches and slips in and out of the pannier easily. Simply slide it out and walk right into your workplace or coffee shop.
(This also works with the Urban Back-Roller below).
12. Rapha Winter Overshoes
For cold or wet weather commuting, it’s paramount to keep your feet warm and dry. It’s no fun trying to ease blood circulation back into frozen toes.
These Rapha Winter Overshoes are designed to go over your cycling shoes while still being able to clip into your pedals.
They’re made from warm waterproof fabric and designed to stretch over all shoe sizes.
13. 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. It also has a variety of day and night modes for every situation.
14. Hiplock Lite Chain Lock
Finding a good bike lock is no easy task. Either they’re super heavy and awkward to tote around or they’re flimsy and basically useless.
Enter the Hiplock Lite Chain Lock. Designed to be worn around your waist while you’re biking, it’s made from essentially uncuttable chain links.
It does weigh a bit more than, say cable locks, but it’s more secure and if you wear it around your waist, then you don’t feel the weight so much.
Best gifts under $200
15. 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 (men’s) 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.
16. 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.
17. 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.
18. 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.
19. Redshift Arclight Pedals
The Redshift Arclight Pedals take high visibility to the next level.
They’re designed with auto on/off technology, so the lights turn on when you start pedaling and turn off when you stop to park your bike. Genius!
20. Chrome Industries Bag
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 Barrage Cargo bag is a classic, but they have many other styles.
21. 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.
Best gifts $200+
22. 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.
23. 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 (men’s) 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.
24. 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.
The trailer attaches to your seat post with a quick hitch that requires no tools to install.
It also folds down to the size of a briefcase when not needed.
25. A commuter e-bike!
What better gift for a bike commuter (or wannabe bike commuter) than a shiny new bike?!
Many commuters are turning to electric bikes these days because [one] they make commuting a lot easier and [two] they make commuting a lot more fun.
There are a ton of e-bike brands out there with commuter models, but here are a few of my top picks:
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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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