The Six Essential Bicycle Commute Accessories

Are you tired of being stuck in traffic on your morning commute? Are you done with squeezing into packed trains? Or are you hoping to use your time commuting to get fitter and healthier? It sounds like you have decided to begin cycling to work.
In the last couple of years, any stigma around cycling has disappeared. Cycling is very much the in thing to do. It's obvious why cycling has become so trendy. Not only does it help a person stay fit and healthy, but cycling also has mental health benefits and is an environmentally responsible transportation method. Not only this, but in a city like Dublin, which is often traffic-clogged, cycling to work is often faster than driving or getting a bus.

However, once you've committed to cycling into work, you need a few bike accessories. While cycling is undoubtedly good for cardiovascular health, it can be dangerous if you don't use the proper safety equipment. As one of Dublin's premier bicycle sales shops, we recommend the six must-have accessories you need when cycling to work.

1. Helmet

Every time you get on a bicycle, you must wear a helmet. Even the slightest bump to the head can cause a concussion, which can have potentially drastic consequences for your cognitive ability in years to come. In a more severe accident, it's no exaggeration to say that a helmet can save your life.
A good quality helmet can be purchased for under €100. For someone who wants to use their bike for commuting, we recommend the Oxford metro V helmet or the Lazer compact DLX Mips helmet.

2. Rain jacket

There's no getting away from it; we live in Ireland. This means that if you live in the south of Ireland, you'll likely live through 151 days of rain; in the west of Ireland, you'll endure 225 days of rain every year. When you cycle to work five times a week, you will get wet. Investing in a high-quality rain jacket is therefore essential. We also recommend investing a little bit extra in waterproof cycling trousers. A massive variety of rain jackets are available. Of course, we always recommend going for a vivid, eye-catching colour to increase visibility in the rain.

3. Bike lock

According to the latest crime figures, almost 6000 bicycles get stolen in Ireland every year. Unfortunately, an unlocked bike is irresistible to an opportunist thief. With this in mind, you must invest in a good quality lock. We recommend the Kryptonite Original Keeper or those willing to spend a little more with the Abus Bordo 6000.

4. Backpack

A backpack to carry your office supplies is essential when commuting on a bicycle. Unfortunately, your old nylon school bag just won't cut it here. What you need is an economically designed, high-visibility waterproof backpack. See our online bag page to review our range of backpacks and saddlebags.

5. Lights

When you are cycling early in the morning, and late in the evening, visibility will always be a problem. That's why you need flashing lights on your bicycle. Lights are there to alert other road users of your presence and hopefully prevent any accidents from occurring. We provide a range of lightweight lights equipped with long-lasting batteries.

6. Basic repair kit

On a city street, sometimes there's going to be a stray piece of glass or even a nail. Yep, punctures are inevitable. Therefore you are going to need a basic repair kit. A good repair kit should include a tool for removing the tyre from the bicycle wheel, a pump and, of course, a replacement tyre tube.

There you have it, the six essential items you'll need when commuting by bike. All these items can be purchased in-store or ordered online. Still not sure what items are right for you? Please get in contact with us. Our team of bike accessory experts can make recommendations based on your requirements.