Happy Bike Month! To celebrate we’ve put together a list of some of cool bike accessories to get you to all of your spring and summer activities safely and with all of your gear in tow. From backyard bbqs to beach trips to daily commutes here are some essentials that might make life on two wheels a little easier.

1. Giro Multi-Sport Helmet – $19.99 – $59.95
2. Public Bike Bell – $10
3. Portland Design Works Takeout Basket with Bag – $91.18
4. Green Guru Gear Dutchy Billboard Pannier – $44.99
5. Sunlite Wood Fender Set – $35.68
6. The Defender: Theft-Resistant Bike Light – $50-$70 *Congrats to Gotham Park for achieving their Kickstarter goal–which means these lights are near production and we’ll be rocking one soon!
7. Carver Surf Rack – $102.95

Who: Topeak

What: Topeak MTX Rear Bicycle Basket

Where: Amazon – $28.40

Why We Love ‘Em: This rugged metal basket is the trunk of bicycle baskets. No, it won’t be the new storage place for your golf clubs, but it can transport a watermelon with aplomb! As well as groceries for two, large Zappos returns, the occasional suitcase repair, stacks of library books, and spring plants complete with potting soil. With a carrying capacity like that, you’ll think twice about taking the car on local errands! Plus, it can withstand rain, snow, and the occasional spill.

Pair it with the Topeak Explorer Bike Rack.

Who: Knife & Saw – San Francisco, CA

What: The Bike Shelf

Where: Knife & Saw – $249-$299

Why We Love ‘Em: If you–like us–park your bike in your house and not in this magical cavernous place know as a garage, then you best do it in style and mix in a little ‘multi-functionality’ for good measure.

Recognizing a void in the cool bike storage department, graphic designer Chris Brigham resolved this gap with a beautifully streamlined and clever design. A slide-in slot holds bikes flush against the wall while doubling as a handy shelf for gear, books, plants, or whatever else needs storing/displaying.

The Bike Shelf is available in ash, walnut, and hickory all with an–ahh–breath-easy zero-VOC Rubio monocoat finish.

Who: Pong Research – Leesburg, VA

What: Pong Case

Where: Pong Research – $49.99

Why We Love It: We love our smartphones! Love emailing on the go, playing words with friends, checking facebook, and taking videos of the kiddos. What don’t we love? Stressing about the radiation we are absorbing while using our phones.

Happily, Pong Research has created covers that redirect your phone’s radiation (up to 95% of it). How, you ask? All cell phones emit radiation… and it’s the Near Field Intensity (NFI) radiation that has the scientific community alarmed. The long term dangers that NFI poses to humans are unclear. Pong’s smartphone covers pull the radiation away from the user, minimizing the user’s exposure and risk. All that, and the covers are available in some pretty inspiring colors – how can you beat that?

Who: Reform School – Los Angeles, CA

What: Amish Made Scooters

Where: Reform School – $265

Why We Love It: Nothing like a scooter to make you feel like a kid again. Of course this one is a bit more grown-up with full size tires, a welded steel frame, a handy kickstand, and even has real-live, not-of-the-foot-variety brakes so you won’t scuff your ballet flats when cruising to a stop. It comes in three sizes fitting 3 footers to 6 footers, so you can find one that is just right. Plus, it’s got the requisite bike basket for toting goodies to and fro.

But, perhaps what we love most about these fancy scooters (in black, orange, or blue) is that they are manufactured in the US on an Amish farm. What could be more charming than that? Side note, if you happen upon the Silverlake neighborhood of L.A., we definitely recommend a visit to the Reform School, they’ve got all sorts of treasures to discover.

Who: Citizen Bikes

What: MIAMI Folding Bike

Where: Citizen bikes – $199

Why We Love It: This is the time of year when being a biker is bliss (and when our mechanic scolds us for not driving enough–oops), birds chirping, blue skies, warm breezes–it’s no time to be sitting in traffic. Particularly handy for city-dwellers, commuters, and frequent travelers are Citizen’s collection of folding bikes–all on sale for spring! And not to choose fashion over function, but the Miami is available in some pretty sweet colors–flamingo, olive, sky blue–so you can ride in style.

But it’s not just all looks, it has the function elements too featuring a Shimano 6-speed index gear system with grip shifter and steel fenders. Plus, it folds easily so you can stow it in your trunk, take it on the bus, or tuck it into an entry way for those of us who are storage space challenged. It’s small frame can also support accessories, so consider adding one of their $7 carrier racks for quick trips to the market. So, go ahead hop on for a carbon-free commute!

Who: Peterboro Basket Company – Peterborough, NH

What: Peterboro Picnic-Time/Tote Bicycle Basket

Where: Peterboro – $55

Why We Love It: There’s nothing like an autumn bike outing. Nothing but you, your bike, and your picnic blanket. And your keys, wallet, cell phone and water bottle. Oh wait, wait…don’t forget your lunch, a book, and your camera. Right. Ready. Now, where to put all this, you ask?

Fortunately we’ve come across the Peterboro Basket Company, which has been making all manner of beautiful White Ash baskets for more than 150 years. All of the baskets are made from wood harvested in New England, and are manufactured at the company’s home base in New Hampshire. The picnic bike basket measures 14.25 X 9 X 6.75 inches and comes in 3 colors: natural, honey or cherry (we love ‘em all, but especially the cherry). The baskets run $65, but the site often has promotions that bring the price down to $55.

Happy picnicking!!!

Who: papernomad – Colorado Springs, CO

What: D. Moser Laptop Sleeve

Where: papernomad – $58

Why We Love It: As surprising as it may be, this paper based laptop cover is pretty rugged. It’s tear resistant (go ahead, try it!) and waterproof, but it is highly susceptible to inadvertent daydreams, doodles, scribbles, and note taking. Of course, that’s what makes the cover uniquely yours, just like those old paper covered text books back in high school… good times.

The key components to its construction include a hemp pull strap with a magnetic closure, cotton cushioning, sheep’s wool lining and a tough paper outer. The total package is hand stitched and at the end of its usefulness, or when your doodling has gotten out of control, it’s completely biodegradable.

Available in 13″ or 15″.

Today is World Car-Free Day! A day where people around the world abandon their cars and embrace a more eco-friendly ride, from public transportation to carpools to walking and biking.

Biking is our ‘car-free’ transportation of choice, but here in Massachusetts, where we are celebrating our own Car-Free Week, it’s dark and frosty in the morning making it all the harder to jump on the ol’ bike. But fear not, whether you are a daily commuter or a hard-core cycler, riding in cooler temps can be quite pleasant as long as you are prepared. So, we’ve got you covered from your head to your toes with the fall essentials for comfy (and safe) cycling:

	BERN MUSE EPS & WATT AUDIO HELMETS This is the ultimate all season helmet. They can be outfitted with a variety of removable liners from summer to winter so you can layer in the warmth when temperatures drop. And because it meets the safety standards for snow, ski, bike and skate, this cross-sport helmet can go straight from the road to the slopes. Very ‘eco.’ Also features a goggle clip intended for downhill, but great for hard-core bikers who aren’t afraid of a little powder on the road. Ladies: $69.56-$109.95 @ Amazon.com; Men’s: $43.99-$129.95 @ Altrec.com
	NEW BALANCE NBx 2.0 WINDBLOCKER JACKET New Balance has master performance workout wear blending fit, comfort and safety. This is one of the best purchases we ever made – perfect for biking especially in shifty weather; it’s waterproof, breathable and blocks the wind. It features front and back reflective tape and fluorescent thumbholes for enhanced visibility and added warmth day or night. Ladies: $58.50 – $130.00 @ Amazon.com; Men’s: $130 @ Amazon.com
	IBEX STRETCH MERINO GLOVE LINER When the thumbhole sleeve isn’t quite enough to keep your mitts warm, upgrade to these super soft gloves. Made from 95% New Zealand Merino wool, these gloves naturally regulate temperature, repel moisture and are odor free so your hands stay comfortable and dry and smelling like roses. $24.95 @Altrec.com
	PATAGONIA ADDIE RIDER BOOTS Every girl on the go needs a pair of rugged, no-slip, no-stick, no-snag riding boots for the morning commute — and this pair from Patagonia is top on our list. Beautiful detailing combined with eco-conscious leathers, a stitched outsole, and a 70 percent recycled foot bed, makes for a look that can go from the bike straight to work for a lighter commute — no need to stash an extra pair of ‘work’ shoes in your bag — and a lighter ‘footprint.’ $220 @ PlanetShoes.com
	BLACKBURN FLEA USB + SOLAR BICYCLE HEADLIGHT With shorter days, it’s critical to have bike lights, not necessarily to see, but rather to be seen. The more visible you are to oncoming traffic the better! And as soon as the sun rises, the solar panel charger will kick in and you’ll be able to charge your lights while you ride. It’s best for slow speed commuting, so if you are into late night trail racing, this light may not be the one for you.$29.77 @ Amazon.com (See all Bike Headlights)

Happy riding!

Who: Origin-8 – Miami, FL

What: Joe-2-Go XL Drink Holder

Where: Amazon.com – $13.26 (available in Standard or XL)

Why We Love It: Discovered this little gem at our local bike shop and were so excited! No more spilled drinks in our bike basket, no more discarded beverages, no more near falls…

It’s a must-have for the serious beach cruiser – an attached cup holder to tote your iced beverage along the strip. So very necessary, so you can keep your frosty treat right at your finger tips, and definitely makes for a safer ride (have yet to master the one-handed ride without cycling at a snail’s pace).

And it’s in a cool bronze that’s pretty sharp.