A bicycle basket is a

bicycle A bicycle, also called a pedal cycle, bike, push-bike or cycle, is a human-powered transport, human-powered or motorized bicycle, motor-assisted, bicycle pedal, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, with two bicycle wheel, wheels attached to a ...

-mounted

basket A basket is a container that is traditionally constructed from stiff Fiber, fibers, and can be made from a range of materials, including wood splints, Stolon, runners, and cane. While most baskets are made from plant materials, other materials ...

for carrying cargo, usually light cargo. They are usually used for light

shopping Shopping is an activity in which a customer browses the available goods or services presented by one or more retailers with the potential intent to purchase a suitable selection of them. A Retail#Shopper profiles, typology of shopper types ha ...

duties such as going on daily visits to the shops for fresh bread or milk. Baskets are often mounted on the handlebars and made of traditional

basket weaving Basket weaving (also basketry or basket making) is the process of weaving or sewing pliable materials into three-dimensional artifacts, such as baskets, mats, mesh bags or even furniture. Craftspeople and artists specialized in making baskets ...

materials such as

wicker Wicker is a method of weaving used to make products such as furniture and baskets, as well as a descriptor to classify such products. It is the oldest furniture making method known to history, dating as far back as . Wicker was first documented ...

and

cane Cane or caning may refer to: *Walking stick, or walking cane, a device used primarily to aid walking * Assistive cane, a walking stick used as a mobility aid for better balance * White cane, a mobility or safety device used by blind or visually i ...

or even woven plastic that merely looks like wicker or cane. They can also be made of other materials such as metal mesh. Euroboxes (for example 40×30×25 cm) or

milk crate Milk crates are square or rectangular interlocking boxes that are used to transport milk and other products from dairies to retail establishments. In English-speaking parts of Europe the term " bottle crate" is more common but in the United S ...

sHow to choose a basket for your bike - Rolling Spoke
/ref> are also used as bicycle baskets.

Front baskets

Front baskets are usually mounted on the handlebars. Heavy loading will therefore affect how easy it is to turn the handlebar, and can be problematic for controllability. Some baskets are attached via braces that extend from the basket to the front wheel hub bolt or to tabs on the front fork of the bicycle, but these can have similar challenges turnability in case of heavy loading. Overloading a front basket can be problematic if not treated sensibly. Heavy loads can cause a high center of gravity which can throw off the handling of the bicycle as the load is attached to the handlebars and high up on the bicycle frame. Also any load that is far too large could possibly obstruct the rider's vision. Light shopping loads are usually not a problem. Some front baskets are instead mounted via a carrier attached to the frame. This will impact the turnability less, but can still give a large inertia and high center of gravity and poor visibility in case of heavy loading.

Rear baskets

Other types of baskets may be mounted on a

luggage carrier A luggage carrier, also commonly called a (bicycle) rack, is a device attached to a bicycle to which cargo or panniers can be attached. This is popular with utility bicycles and touring bicycles. Bicycle luggage carriers may be mounted on the ...

near the rear wheel of the bicycle. These baskets are usually narrower and deeper than the average handlebar basket. Rear baskets function as a hard-sided

pannier A pannier is a basket, bag, box, or similar container, carried in pairs either slung over the back of a beast of burden, or attached to the sides of a bicycle or motorcycle. The term derives from a Middle English borrowing of the Old French ' ...

, carrying the cargo lower on the bicycle, which keeps the center of gravity low and thereby improves handling and control. This placement also cannot obstruct the forward vision of the rider.

References

*Boy Scouts of America, Cycling Merit Badge Pamphlet {{Bike equipment Cycling equipment Bicycle parts

Front baskets

Rear baskets

See also

References