Gifts for Bike Commuters: Rain, Lights and Office

In short: In winter, bike commuters mainly need three things: arriving dry, being seen and parking the bike securely. Suitable gifts are rain gear, bright lights approved under German StVZO road regulations, a good lock, a waterproof office bag and a permanent spot for the bike at home. For our wall mounts: Order by 14 December = delivery before Christmas.

What do bike commuters really need?

Anyone who cycles to work every day knows the little problems all too well: the light dies halfway, the trousers are wet, the jacket smells of rain in the office, and in the evening you're searching for your keys in a dark hallway. A good commuter gift solves one of these problems. It doesn't have to look sporty, it has to work in everyday life, especially from November to March.

Gift ideas for commuters by budget

Budget	Idea	Everyday benefit
under €25	Rain overshoes or gaiters	Dry shoes at the office.
under €25	Reflective leg or arm band	Better visibility from the side.
under €25	Waterproof saddle cover	No wet backside after parking in the rain.
under €25	Small repair kit for the office bag	Patch kit, tyre levers, mini pump.
€25–75	Bright rechargeable light set with StVZO approval	Front and rear, USB rechargeable, around €40–70.
€25–75	Over-trousers and rain jacket	Packs small and stays in the bag.
€25–75	Folding lock with frame mount	Compact and quick to hand.
over €75	Waterproof pannier bag with a business look	Laptop and spare shirt stay dry.
over €75	Wall mount with storage compartment, e.g. Jakob from €149	Bike, keys and gloves all in one place.
over €75	Service at the bike workshop	Have brakes and lights checked before winter.

Rain, lights, office: tips from everyday commuting

• Think double on lights: A second small rear light on the backpack is an inexpensive extra gift.
• Charging cable for the office: An extra USB cable in the desk drawer means the light is never flat.
• Change of clothes: A garment bag for the shirt prevents creases in the pannier.
• Chain care: Commuter bikes ride through salt and slush. A care kit with chain oil is worth its weight in gold in winter.

The commuter starter pack for beginners

If someone is just switching to cycling to work, a small bundle is better value than one big single gift. This combination has proven itself, at around €60–90 in total:

1. A StVZO-approved rechargeable light, front and rear.
2. A rain jacket that packs small into the bag.
3. A folding lock or D-lock with a frame mount.
4. A repair kit with patches and a mini pump.

Add a card with a quiet back route to the office that you've ridden yourself beforehand. Many new commuters start out on the car route because they don't know the cycle paths.

When does a wall mount suit commuters?

Many commuters live in the city, often without a dry basement, or they don't want to leave their bike in the courtyard overnight. Then a spot on the hallway wall is a real gain: the bike isn't in the way and is safer than outside. Our models with a flap and storage compartment are designed so that keys, gloves and lights sit right next to the bike.

• Jakob and Fritz from €149: with a storage compartment for odds and ends.
• Oskar from €89: compact for narrow hallways.

A mount is not suitable for commuters with a heavy e-bike over 20 kg or a step-through without a top tube. In that case, floor stands or a lockable parking space make more sense. Hallway tips: Storing your bike in the hallway.

Checklist: does a wall mount suit the recipient's bike?

• Has a top tube, bike under about 20 kg?
• Hallway wall wide enough (about 170–180 cm)?
• Rented flat? Drilling a normal number of wall plug holes is generally permitted; if in doubt, check the tenancy agreement and house rules (not legal advice).

More on this: Hanging your bike up in your flat.

Delivery and more ideas

Our mounts are made to order in a carpentry workshop, delivery approx. 7–10 days. Order by 14 December and the gift will arrive before Christmas. There are separate ideas for e-bike commuters: Gifts for e-bike riders. For an overview, see the gift guide for cyclists.

Frequently asked questions

What do you give someone who cycles to work?

Something for rain, lights or security: rain gear, a bright StVZO-approved light, a good lock or a waterproof office bag.

Which bike lights are legal on German roads?

Look for the K test mark (a wavy line with a "K" and a number) on the light. It shows StVZO approval.

What is a small gift for commuters under €20?

Rain overshoes, a waterproof saddle cover, reflective bands or a felt wheel strap for €10 if the bike already hangs on the wall. Read more about the idea behind our bike wall mount from the carpentry workshop on our homepage.

How do you stay dry cycling to work?

With rain trousers, rain jacket and overshoes, plus mudguards on the bike. A garment bag with a spare shirt in the pannier helps if it does rain harder.