Holiday shopping can be quite dreadful when it comes to crowds, parking and traffic, however shopping for presents can become an easy task when you choose to shop by bicycle. In case you haven’t thought about your bike as a good option, it’s time you take it out from the garage and get going – you’ll be thankful later. Of course, now you may be wondering how you are going to get all that Christmas loot home, right?

Well, if you haven't done this before, then carrying items on your bike may probably seem intimidating. The good news is that there are many options you can choose from and products that can help you manage all those loads, safely and comfortably. With the right planning, you'd be surprised how much you can carry just by using your bike.

Now, you may think that the words shopping and cycling are probably two opposites, however there are so many ways you can turn your bike into Santa’s sleigh this Christmas and just enjoy a pleasant and traffic free day of Christmas shopping.

So, let’s see what you are in need of for this:

• Panniers and Racks
  Panniers are absolutely necessary bags for your bike as they attach onto the back of your bike using a pannier rack. You can get a rack from most bike shops, where someone will be able to fit them for you, or if you’re feeling technical, you can just buy it and fit it yourself. There is a surprisingly large variety of panniers available, to suit all tastes and practicalities. The more practical shoppers will probably opt for an easily cleanable set that can be comfortably carried on your back whilst browsing the shops.
• Trailers
  Trailers are the best option for those looking to carry a turkey home. You’d be surprised at how much you can carry on your bike with a trailer, and how easy it is to get all that shopping home.
• Baskets
  Nowadays baskets have become increasingly popular with adults as a fashionable way to carry things on your bike. It’s a great option to get some important presents from the shops to underneath the Christmas tree. Baskets range from pretty wicker versions to slightly more serious mesh wire ones, so there’s definitely something to suit everyone if you look around. Also, you can get creative and get into the holiday spirit by decorating your basket with some red and green ribbon that will make you enjoy your ride even more.

Well, have you started your holiday shopping yet? No you know a great way to be practical when it comes to holiday shopping whilst having fun with picking out the presents for your loved ones.

Share with us in the comments below the experiences you’ve had when shopping by bike.