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Shopping by Bike — It's in the Bag
By Claire Micklin
Besides spewing greenhouse gases and contributing to traffic congestion,
shopping by automobile can be a depressing slog. But shopping doesn’t
necessarily mean driving.
After many years of experimentation, I learned that the right gear
was key to making shopping hassle-free and fun.
My odyssey started with buying a stylish messenger bag. But I soon
discovered it made my shoulders and back sore.
So I designed a net-type contraption to secure the messenger bag
to my bike’s rear rack. But it was so overloaded and unstable,
I could not bicycle effectively or confidently. That’s when
I turned to my local bike dealer.
They suggested I purchase a pannier.
But could it do the job? Was it worth it?
They told me the side-loading of the pannier on the rear rack was
extremely stable. I was won over and chose a bright orange and black
Arkel commuter pannier for its simplicity, practicality and color
coordination with my black cruiser.
It was time to test the pannier out at my local Trader Joe’s.
I anxiously awaited check-out time, when I would come to terms with
the bulk of my purchases. Surprisingly, I was able to place both
of my grocery bags in the pannier without cramming or shoving. If
that wasn’t impressive enough, I secured my pannier to the
rear rack in no time at all. I no longer cringed at potholes or
speed bumps.
I love my pannier. Sleek, sexy and practical, it regularly elicits
admiring glances and compliments from my fellow bicyclists.
You should invest in one. It expands your shopping options and moves
you out of the ranks of recreational bicyclists and into the esteemed
circle of people who truly live by bike.
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