The Everything Guide to the Bike Commute

The Essentials

Gear to bring to work, and a website to map the way.

By David Sax
Published Oct 4, 2009

(Photo: Hannah Whitaker)

The OnGuard Pitbull Mini is a U-lock that fits into your back pocket and comes with a flexible cable to attach to your wheels.
$60 at Manhattan Velo, 141 E. 17th St., nr. Third Ave.; 212-253-6788.

(Photo: Hannah Whitaker)

The Belgian-designed Lazer Urbanize N Light helmet adjusts with the roll of a finger and has six big sweat vents.
$100 at City Bicycles, 315 W. 38th St., nr. Eighth Ave.; 212-563-3373.

(Photo: Hannah Whitaker)

The new messenger bags by Timbuk2 are sturdy, waterproof, and come in fashionably loud colors.
From $74.95 at Paragon, 867 Broadway, at 18th St.; 212-255-8889.

The one site every bike commuter should bookmark: Ride the City (ridethecity.com). Plug your start and stop points into the map, and you’ll get three routes: the safest ride, the less safe but shorter ride, and the most direct ride. Routes are selected based on the quality of bike lanes, with the most hazardous thoroughfares automatically filtered out. It also tags bike shops along the way, and lets you text yourself directions.

(Photo: Hannah Whitaker)

This super-light and bright men’s Switchback windbreaker is lined with reflective piping for the ride home at night.
$50 at EMS, 530 Broadway, at Spring St.; 212-966-8730.

(Photo: Courtesy of the vendor)

Camper’s cotton-and-corduroy Brothers are stylish enough to cross over into the boardroom, but the rubber sole stands up to commuting hazards.
$165; 125 Prince St., at Wooster St.; 212-358-1842.

(Photo: Hannah Whitaker)

The Blackburn Flea front and rear LED lights are roughly the size of a matchbook but shine brighter than lights three times their size.
$55 for a set at City Bicycles.

(Photo: Hannah Whitaker)

This chrome handlebar bell tells the world how you feel about your ride.
$4.99 at Metro Bicycles Canal Street, 75 Varick St., nr. Watts St.; 212-334-8000.