Maybe you finally got your new bike after that long wait during the pandemic Bike Boom when suppliers struggled to meet demand. Or maybe you revived that old model that had been languishing in the garage or basement for years. If you’re peddling more often for work or play, you may want to add some smart accessories to make the most of your ride.
Of course, protecting your noggin should be your first priority, so make sure you know how to fit your helmet properly. Other safety accessories include lights to make you more visible and water bottle holders to keep you hydrated. If you’re planning to bring the littlest kids along on the trail, a bike trailer is another good idea.
Ahead, the best bike accessories for keeping you safe and comfortable.
This helmet is rated for safety by Virginia Tech’s third-party testing facility, which evaluates its ability to reduce linear acceleration and rotational velocity of the head during crashes. The helmet contains a unique collapsible cellular material that’s more effective than traditional foam for protecting your head. In addition, it conforms and flexes better to your head shape with a design that allows more heat to be dispersed. It comes in sizes XS to XL to accommodate everyone.
Best Helmet
Bontrager Starvos WaveCel Cycling Helmet
The company also offers a free crash replacement guarantee if it’s involved in a crash during your first year of ownership and donates $1 for every helmet sold to PeopleForBikes, which supports bike-friendly cities.
Price at time of publish: $105
If you’re looking for a bike trailer for occasional use and loads up to 100 pounds, this folding frame unit is a good option. It packs neatly to stow when not needed, and you can use it with or without the cargo cover. The 16-inch tires offer a smooth ride, and it comes with a one-year warranty.
Best Cargo Trailer
Schwinn Day Tripper Cargo Bike Trailer
It’s a good budget option for moderate loads such as hauling home a few bags of groceries or moving around firewood on a camping trip, and it’s easy to assemble and install.
Price at time of publish: $180
This aluminum bottle holder comes with stainless bolts and fits most standard and oversized water bottles. Its sleek design doesn’t take up a ton of space, and it comes in several colors to coordinate with your frame.
Best Water Bottle Holder
Ibera Bicycle Lightweight Aluminum Water Bottle Cage
Weighing in at only 1.5 ounces, it’s not going to add any additional drag on your peddling. It’s a good all-purpose holder at a reasonable price, although it may not hold up to heavy-duty used by serious cyclists.
Price at time of publish: $8
Equipping your bike with a set of lights is about being able to see in the dark and being more visible on the road. One study showed that cyclists with mounted running lights had a 19% lower accident rate than those without lights.
Best Light Set
Ascher USB Rechargeable Bike Light Set
This budget set contains both front and rear LED USB-rechargeable lights that attach quickly to your bike with silicone straps for easy installation. Both lights can be adjusted to full brightness, half brightness, slow-flashing, or fast-flashing modes.
Price at time of publish: $11
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the use of a bicycle-towed trailer over a front or rear-mounted child bike seat as a safer alternative because a child’s additional weight on your bike may make the bike unstable and increase the braking time.
Best Child Bike Trailer
Thule Coaster XT Bike Trailer
This trailer has a mesh-sided cabin and safety harnesses for two kids up to a combined 100 pounds. It also converts quickly to a stroller for dual-use and folds for storage. The fabric is sturdy and easy to clean, and it’s well worth the money for its durability.
Price at time of publish: $550
It’s a sad fact of life, but bikes are stolen every day. This lock can give a potential thief pause because it’s constructed with double deadbolts and a 16-millimeter steel shackle, which is resistant to most bolt cutters.
Best Bike Lock
Kryptonite New York Lock Standard
It comes with three keys and a lifetime warranty. The company also offers a year’s anti-theft protection up to $5,000 when you register with them. It’s heavy (around 4.5 pounds), but it feels substantial, which some users find reassuring.
Price at time of publish: $118
You know you’re going to need your phone to navigate or snap a photo of that gorgeous waterfall on the trail. This silicone cradle slips onto your handlebars or frame in a second. Two different sizes fit phones from 5 to 6.5 inches, and it comes with a two-year warranty. It’s lightweight and easy to fasten onto handlebars, but it may not last as long if you’re taking it on and off frequently.
Best Phone Mount
TeamObsidian Premium Bike Phone Mount
This stylish bell was launched in 2013 by two brothers who created another bike product via a Kickstarter campaign. It has a distinctive sound that rings three times as long as standard bells. You’ll be able to give notice from a distance to other cyclists or walkers that you’re coming up behind them.
Best Bell
Spurcycle Original Bell
It fits on any handlebar and is made completely in the United States with a lifetime warranty. It has a clear, pleasant sound, and it is incredibly durable (and pretty!) compared to cheaper bells that have proliferated recently.
Price at time of publish: $59
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TreeHugger wants to support healthy outdoor activities which have no or little impact on the environment. Arricca SanSone specializes in writing about home, shelter, and gardening, and she enjoys casual bike rides around her local national park.
