The authorities have said it: the smartest way to get back to work is on two wheels (or feet), if you live close enough. The first step to becoming a cycling super-commuter? Getting your gear. From laptop-friendly panniers to city-ready helmets, this is your kit list.
Head in the game
Priority number one? The helmet. Halford’s Lazer Compact Helmet is a versatile budget option (£25, halfords.com); Evans Cycles’ FWE Ridgeway helmet features a removable visor for summer riding (£25, evanscycles.com); while Hedkayse’s collapsible edition claims to be the world’s toughest: a pioneering helmet capable of withstanding multiple impacts, from being hit by a bus to run over by a car (£150, hedkayse.com). It’s foldable down to half its width so you can fit it in your handbag. Swedish firm Hovding’s head protector isn’t a helmet at all, but an airbag you wear as a collar around your neck (£249, hovding.com). Its latest edition, the version three, inflates to protect your head within 0.1 seconds of a collision and is bluetooth-connected to notify your loved ones in an emergency.
CycleChic’s latest helmet, the Abus Pedelec 2.0, is also focused on safety: a German-engineered model promising 40 per cent more protection than regular helmets (£120, cyclechic.co.uk). There’s a rain cover in the back of it for wet days, an integrated rear light for night riding, and space at the back so you can still wear your hair in a ponytail. CycleChic is currently offering 20 per cent off helmets for NHS staff, including its bestselling Thousand helmet in terra cotta and rose gold (£95, cyclechic.co.uk)
Carry on
Cyclechic’s latest bike bag arrival is Weathergoods’ new City Backpack: a smart laptop bag that fits on your pannier rack or shoulders (£125, cyclechic.co.uk). Pair up with Altura’s smart Arran Pannier if you’ve got too much gym kit to fit on your back (£40, halfords.com). Halfords has two options from Overboard for rainy rides: a waterproof pannier in visible yellow for fixing to your bike, or a bright 20L rain-proof backpack (£35; £50, halfords.com).
Carry your phone, keys and wallet in Rapha’s Bar Bag for easy access: the neat valuables sack attaches to your handlebars so you can snap that Hyde Park sunrise without having to stop (£45, rapha.cc)
Lock-down
Use protection. Kryptonite’s NY Fahgettaboudit D-lock has an 18mm steel shackle to prevent theft (£120, evanscycles.com), Halfords’ Core D Lock features a double-bolt locking mechanism (£30, halfords.com), while Litelok’s Gold Wearable is the world’s lightest, flexible Sold Secure Gold bike lock (£100, litelok.com). It can withstand attack from bolt cutters and hacksaws and be worn around the hips. Ottolock weighs just 260g and can be coiled around the wheels and frame (£41, ottodesignworks.com), while Hiplok’s Superbright wearable chain is award-winning. Wear it around your waist for extra reflectivity on the roads (£55, hiplok.com)
Saddle-nav
The Wahoo Elemnt Roam is a sturdy all-round bike navigator, featuring a colour screen, adjustable lights and 17-hour battery life to last the week (£300, uk.wahoofitness.com), while Beeline’s Velo is focused on safety (£99, beeline.co). It pairs with your phone and shows you a single arrow on your handlebars so you don’t get distracted by complicated maps. Blubel’s smart bell works like Beeline but with lights and an added focus on safety (£79, blubel.co). Ring your bell and it’ll flag potential hazards to other users — a bike computer and community service tool in one.
