Safer Cycling Calgary News Blog

With the rising cost of living and continued pressures due to COVID, many Canadians are feeling that the holiday season is a stressful time where money is being spent at an extraordinary rate. There's also the challenges of figuring out what to get for loved ones in your life, if you usually give gifts. 


I have compiled a list of gifts that you can give to your loved ones, including things that won't cost you anything at all, things that you don't have to pay for until spring, things that are only for those who aren't facing financial challenges and an assortment of affordable options. There are things on this list for all ranges of cyclists, from the never-ever to the very experienced. 

Don't forget yourself, either. You can buy any of these things for yourself, or add them to your wish list for others to get you, of course. More importantly, though, is taking care of your mental health during this busy, jam-packed season. To the left (or above) is a list of things to say, either out loud or just in your head, to help you to keep calm and remember that no matter what your beliefs, financial status or number of gifts you give and receive, this is a season filled with joy and celebration: please take a few moments to settle the frenzy and find joy in your life.

Whether you're buying for the avid cyclist or someone who has never been on a bike before, here's a few things that you may want to consider which are fairly inexpensive but demonstrate how much you care.

• Padded bike shorts or panties: most casual cyclists wear these under regular clothes instead of underwear, making comfort on the bike seat much improved. Inexpensive padded bike shorts/panties can be found on eBay or Amazon: I am now the proud owner of 6 pairs of padded bike panties, the most expensive of which was less than $18 Canadian, including delivery. (Locally, bike shops and places like Decathlon, Sport Chek and Sporting Life have padded bike shorts, but they may cost more than $25.) Yes, padded bike shorts for kids exist, too!
• Bike bell/horn: required by law on all bikes in Calgary, and they come in a huge variety of shapes, colours and styles. While very expensive bells exist, you can get some seriously awesome bells for far less than $25. Check your local bike shop first. 
• A multi-tool, tire levers and patch kit: a small kit with these 3 items should cost well under $25 and I guarantee is worth every penny. Consider adding a mini pump and a spare tube if you can find out what size will fit the bike you're buying for (total will likely be more than $25 if these are included). 
• Theft deterrent in the form of a tamper-resistant sticker: while registration is free, adding a Shield from Project 529 costs only $5 + GST and can help prevent a bike from being stolen. In Vancouver, where Project 529 has been partnered with the police for over a decade, this registration system and sticker have resulted in 52% fewer bike thefts (there are now fewer bikes stolen in Vancouver than there are in Calgary). More information and purchase Shield(s) here.

If you have a little more money to spend, there's loads of things you can buy for less than $100. Some of these things could be considered essential, some are just luxuries; there's items for those who are experienced or complete newbies. 

• A basket and/or rear rack: there's always something to carry, and it's not safe to hang bags from the handlebars. There's probably a solution for every bike, including kids bikes, e-bikes, fat bikes and everything in between. If the bike is already equipped with a rack and/or your budget allows, add a pannier (bag) for the rack. (Baskets for kids bikes may be less than $25.)
• Replacement seat: for those who have an uncomfortable or damaged seat, upgrading to a new seat may be all that's necessary to get more hours on a bike. Bike shops have a tool to measure the width of the "sit bones" to find a seat that works with your behind. Men, please ensure you have a gender-appropriate seat to avoid physical injury to very important nerves.
• Suspension seat post: not available for all bikes, but many can accommodate a new seat post which has suspension in it, which helps to smooth out your ride. Combined with a perfect-fitting seat that's more comfortable and padded bike shorts and it still won't feel like you're sitting on the couch, but comfort will be much improved. 
• A brand new helmet: required by law for anyone under 18, and those riding e-bikes, but adults on regular bikes have brains worthy of protection, too! If your helmet is showing signs of wear, doesn't fit right, or just doesn't suit your style of biking, consider getting a new helmet. As a gift for someone else, this shows you want that person to stay in your life so you can enjoy more bike rides together. Special note: learn more about bike helmets here and here
• Bike lock: a cable lock just doesn't hold up against bike thieves. Investing in a good lock with the highest security rating you can find is actually a much smaller cost than replacing a bike. (Knowing how to use a lock is critically important, too.)
• Technology, such as a bike computer: some are available for less than $25 online, but you sometimes get what you pay for. A really good bike computer won't break the bank, but is a worthwhile investment, so distance travelled by bike and speed can be monitored. Wireless or wired, set up is also pretty easy on most. 
  

While these are things you can buy, they may not be things you can easily wrap up for gifting:

• a day's bike rental: depending on the kind of bike you want to rent, a day's rental is pretty inexpensive. Use it as a way to try out a type, brand or style of bike you've never used before, or to make it possible to ride with people who don't have a bike of their own. 
• a basic bike tune-up package: most bike shops offer a basic inspection/tune-up within this price range. A little tender loving care, by professionals, is a nice treat even for those who do a lot of work on their bike themselves. (Many bike shops have discounts on tune-ups in late winter, so you may get more value by waiting to book a bike in.)
• some Safer Cycling Calgary courses, including Novice and First Time Child (outdoor) are also available in this price range. Gift certificates can be ordered here in any value you desire and never expire!  

- Melissa Malejko, Owner of Safer Cycling Calgary