Bicycle baskets and racks - the misjudged accessories

First let's talk about bicycle baskets!

This is by no doubt the most misjudged bicycle accessory of them all! The majority of people, at least in cities with little bicycle culture, believe that a bicycle basket is only something that belongs to a woman's bicycle. How faulty this belief is though!

Yes, typically you notice more women than men having baskets in their bikes, but that happens not because a bike basket is a woman's accessory, but because women carry purses and handbags. This is where we put our bags when we ride our bicycles! It is uncomfortable to ride a bike when having a handbag in one shoulder. The balance isn't just right. We are not unable to ride with a bag in one shoulder, but it is inconvenient for anything else but small trips around the city centre.

The other day, when I was returning home after work, there was a man in front of me with grocery bags in his handlebars. When I propose to him to install a bicycle basket in his bike, he replied that bicycle baskets are useless. Then I showed him my basket. Suddenly, he turned his head and looked at me with a big question mark on his face. We were talking, but at that moment he realised that my bicycle basket wasn't there for the looks, but for usage. Inside I had my handbag (of course) and my lunch. These two items didn't occupy a lot of space, so the bicycle basket had a lot more room to fill in, "even for my grocery bags" he noticed with a grin. "It is more convenient than hanging the bags from the handlebars" I replied to him.

...Which now leads to the second misjudged accessory, the bicycle rack! 

Either installed in the front or in the rear, a rack is a very useful item. If you want a basket in your bicycle, I strongly advise you to buy and resemble a front rack first and then put the bicycle basket on top of the rack. It offers more durability. The bicycle basket won't break, it is more stable and you can carry more or heavier loads this way.

Also, in combination with a front rack you can use a rear rack too! A rear rack is even more durable than a front rack. It is also bigger and you can use it on it's own or with panniers. If you simply don't appeal to the idea having a front basket on your bicycle, you can install just a rear rack and use that! And if you buy panniers too, then the load capacity of your bicycle will increase considerably more! This way your bicycle still remains masculine while being more convenient. 

Deep down, I believe most guys already acknowledge how useful baskets and racks are! I don't think it is a coincidence that I see a great amount of guys passing in front of my workplace while riding their girlfriends' borrowed bicycles!

Sure a front basket gives a certain character to a bicycle!

I'm not saying everyone should have a basket because I do, or a rack because I also do. I am not implying that I'm right and you're wrong. I'm just giving you options. Baskets and racks were originally created for giving the opportunity to bicycle users to carry loads with their bicycles easily. It is in your choice to use them or not!

Everyday though when I load up my bicycle, I always smile and think that I just couldn't be without a bicycle basket or a rack. I use them all the time!

How do you carry your stuff when riding a bicycle?