Gift Guide 2017: 8 Gifts for the Urban Cyclist

Shopping for an urban cyclist is a little like shopping for a cat: they’re independent, suspicious of anything “helpful,” and will absolutely let you know if you bought the wrong thing. But unlike cats, urban cyclists deal with potholes, surprise rain, and the ever-present risk of bike theftso the right gift doesn’t just spark joy, it prevents misery.

This Gift Guide 2017 is built around real city-riding needs: visibility, security, weather protection, and the ability to carry life’s essentials (laptop, groceries, existential dread) without arriving sweaty and defeated. The goal: eight gifts that feel thoughtful, get used daily, and don’t require the recipient to fake-smile while Googling “how to return bike thing politely.”

What Makes a Gift “Urban-Cyclist-Proof”?

In a city, cycling gear has to earn its spot. The best commuter gifts do one (or more) of these things: make the rider more visible in traffic, harder to steal from, drier, or less annoyed while hauling stuff across town. That’s why you’ll see themes repeatlights, locks, weatherproofing, and smart storagebecause those are the pain points commuters talk about on repeat.

Also, urban cyclists love gear that’s fast to use. If it takes 10 minutes to install, it becomes a “weekend project,” which is cyclist-speak for “see you never.”

8 Gifts for the Urban Cyclist (2017 Edition)

1) A Serious Lock (Because Hope Is Not a Security System)

If your cyclist parks outside, a high-quality lock is not optionalit’s rent for living in a city. Look for a stout U-lock (or a folding lock if they hate carrying a metal brick). In 2017, commuters commonly favored heavy-duty options and practical mounts that don’t rattle or scuff the frame. Bonus points if you pair it with a cable or locking skewers to help protect wheels and accessories.

• What to look for: hardened steel, tight shackle fit, weather-resistant keyway, usable mount.
• Gift-friendly tip: include a note: “Lock the frame + a wheel to something that doesn’t move.”
• Price vibe: “reasonable peace of mind” to “I love you, please don’t get robbed.”

2) USB-Rechargeable Lights (Front + Rear, Always)

City riding is half “see,” half “be seen.” A bright front light helps spot road hazards, while a strong rear light is basically your “I exist” announcement to drivers. In 2017, the sweet spot was compact USB-rechargeable lights with multiple modes (including daytime flash) and mounts that swap easily between bikes. Pairing a reliable headlight with a punchy rear blinky is one of the most universally appreciated commuter upgrades.

• What to look for: multiple modes, easy USB charging, quick-release mount, good side visibility.
• Pro move: gift a small reminder: “Take lights off when you lock up.” (Yes, it hurts to say.)

3) A Smart, Visibility-Boosting Helmet (Safety That Doesn’t Look Like a Mushroom)

Some gifts are practical. Some are cool. A visibility-forward helmet can be bothespecially when it blends classic style with commuter features, or integrates lighting for extra presence in traffic. By 2017, “commuter chic” helmets were having a moment, and lighting-integrated helmets were becoming a real option for riders who wanted fewer gadgets clipped to their body like a human Christmas tree.

• What to look for: comfortable fit system, decent ventilation, and (if integrated) easy charging.
• Fit note: if you don’t know their size, consider a gift card to let them try it on.

4) A Waterproof Commuter Bag That Actually Carries “Real Life”

Urban cyclists carry oddly shaped things: laptops, lunch, shoes, and sometimes a baguette that refuses to be humble. A commuter-friendly bag should stabilize while riding, resist weather, and protect tech. In 2017, popular choices included streamlined messenger bags with waterproof flaps and smart straps that keep the load from sliding around mid-ride. If they already have a rear rack, a pannier (or rack trunk bag) can be a game-changerno sweaty backpack, no back pain.

• What to look for: water resistance, laptop protection, reflective details, stable strap system.
• Easy win: include adjustable cargo straps for rack/basket riders.

5) Rain and Wind Armor (Because Forecasts Lie)

The urban cyclist doesn’t fear rain. They fear arriving at work looking like a wet paper towel. A good commuter jacket blocks wind, sheds rain, and breathes enough to prevent the “sauna commute.” The best gifts here are pieces that work on and off the bikeclean silhouette, useful pockets, and just enough visibility detail to keep things safe after dark. This category also covers glove upgrades and shoe covers for winter riding, which are small gifts with huge daily impact.

• What to look for: waterproof/water-resistant fabric, venting, longer drop tail, reflective hits.
• Gift angle: “Stay dry” is romantic. “Smell less like wet socks” is even more romantic.

6) A Compact Repair Kit (So a Flat Isn’t a Full-Scale Tragedy)

Flats happen at the worst timeslike when the rider is late, hungry, and questioning every life choice. A compact repair kit is commuter gold: a quality multitool, tire levers, a tube (or patch kit), and inflation (mini pump or CO₂). In 2017 gift lists, small, clever tools and “carry it on the bike” solutions showed up repeatedly because they remove friction: the kit is there when you need it, not back at home on a shelf, judging you.

• What to look for: durable multitool, reliable levers, tidy carry strap/seat bag.
• Nice upgrade: add a tubeless plug tool if they ride tubeless.

7) A Better Bike Bell (Yes, This Can Be a Real Gift)

In cities, being polite and being audible are both survival skills. The problem is many bike bells look like they came free with a tricycle in 1993. Design-forward bells became a thing because riders wanted something that didn’t ruin the look of their barswhile still delivering a clear, attention-grabbing ring. This is a surprisingly delightful stocking stuffer: small, useful every day, and it makes the rider feel just a little more “put together.”

• What to look for: a clean mount, a tone that cuts through traffic, and easy thumb access.
• Commuter bonus: it’s the friendliest way to say “please don’t step into my lane.”

8) Navigation + Ride Tech That Reduces Phone Drama

In 2017, a lot of commuters were torn between “I need directions” and “I do not want my phone to become pavement confetti.” A bike computer with navigation can solve this cleanly, and it keeps the cockpit tidier. If that’s too spendy, a secure phone mount plus a small battery pack can still be a strong giftespecially for riders who do long urban routes, deliveries, or evening commutes where GPS and music quietly drain everything.

• What to look for: readable screen, simple controls, reliable mount, and decent battery life.
• Gift-friendly add-on: a rainproof phone sleeve or compact power bank.

Quick “Don’t Mess This Up” Gifting Tips

A few ways to win extra points without accidentally buying the cycling equivalent of a blender for someone who hates smoothies:

• If sizing is involved (helmets, jackets, gloves), consider gifting from a shop with easy exchanges.
• If they already have the basics, upgrade qualitynot quantity. One excellent lock beats three mediocre ones.
• Match the commute: short flat ride = light storage; long ride = bigger lights and better weather gear.
• Think theft reality: if they lock outside often, prioritize security and quick-removal accessories.

of City-Riding Gift Experiences (Because Real Life Is the Test Lab)

The funniest thing about buying gifts for an urban cyclist is that the “cute” ideas almost never win. The mug that says “I’d Rather Be Cycling” is adorable, sureuntil it’s sitting on a desk while the rider is outside, wrestling a rusty cable lock that came free with a bike in 2009. The gifts that get used every day are the ones that make commuting easier in the exact moments when city riding turns chaotic: the sudden downpour, the dark underpass, the grocery run that turned into “how did I end up carrying a watermelon,” and the awkward lock-up situation where the only solid object is a signpost that looks suspiciously removable.

One of the best “I actually understand your life” gifts I’ve seen for commuters is a truly good set of lights. Not the “technically visible” kind, but the kind that makes drivers give you that slightly wider berth. Riders often describe a subtle shift in how traffic behaves when a bright rear light is runningeven during the daybecause visibility buys you reaction time. Pair that with a light that’s easy to pop off at the rack, and you’ve eliminated the daily choice between “take it with me” and “donate it to thieves.”

Bags are another gift that reveal whether you’ve ever tried to commute with a laptop bouncing against your spine. A stable bag (or a rack solution) changes the feel of a ride instantly. A commuter who switches from backpack-only life to pannier/rack life will often have a brief honeymoon phase where they keep saying, “My back isn’t sweaty!” like they’ve discovered a new element on the periodic table. And when the bag is weather-resistant, the anxiety drops: fewer ziplock bags, fewer emergency towel moments, fewer regrets.

Locks, though? Locks are the most emotionally complicated gift in this entire guide. A great lock is basically an act of care disguised as a hunk of metal. It says, “I want your bike to still be your bike tomorrow.” It’s not glamorous, but it’s deeply practicalespecially in places where theft is common. The “right” lock also changes behavior: riders lock up more confidently, run errands more spontaneously, and spend less time scanning the street like they’re in a low-budget heist movie.

Finally, the smallest gifts can be the most charming. A good bell is tiny, but it smooths out hundreds of micro-moments: the pedestrian drifting into the bike lane, the other cyclist who didn’t hear you coming, the delivery cart doing its best impression of a moving wall. It’s a gentle tool for negotiating city space. And when the bell looks good on the bars, it feels less like adding “one more thing” and more like finishing the bikelike putting a good watch on a good outfit. That’s the secret to great urban cycling gifts: they don’t just solve problems; they make the rider feel ready for the city.

Final Spin: The Best Urban Cyclist Gifts Are the Ones They’ll Use Tomorrow

The best gifts for urban cyclists in 2017 aren’t novelty itemsthey’re daily upgrades: security that deters theft, lights that amplify presence, storage that carries real life, weather gear that defeats surprise rain, and small safety tools that reduce friction. Pick one that matches their commute, and you’ll give something they’ll thank you for every single ride.