This post may contain affiliate links, which help to keep Discerning Cyclist rolling. Learn more.
A wicker bike basket, with its relatively unchanged design, has been helping us carry items on our bikes for over a century.
These days wicker baskets for bicycles can be made from a variety of materials – both natural and synthetic. Irrespective of whichever material they are constructed from the best baskets should carry items safely, fit a bike securely, and ideally, not weigh a tonne either.
Here are 7 of the best wicker baskets for your bicycle available – baskets that in our book, keep the visual tradition alive, but are modern enough to withstand frequent or heavy usage.
Best Wicker Bike Baskets
-
Historic Design
Nantucket Bicycle Basket Co. Lightship Basket
With its classic tapered design and finely woven rattan cane, this would be a fine addition to any bicycle.
-
Like a Fishing Creel
Nantucket Bicycle Basket Co. Madaket Creel Basket
It’s fairly unusual to find a basket with a lid, but this one keeps items secure as you ride.
-
For Furry Friends
PetSafe Happy Ride Basket
Thanks to a soft liner and removable sun shield, your pet can come along for the ride too.
-
Wide Opening
Public Lightship Oval Basket
Available in two colours, the wide oval opening of this basket makes storing and retrieving items very easy.
-
Woven with Recycled Seagrass
Public Bikes Woven Basket
Sold in three colours, this basket features a tightly woven patter to stop small items falling through.
-
Wide, Symmetrical Opening
Toto Handwoven Cane Basket
This basket attaches easily to the front of a bike with simple leather straps. No tools are required.
-
With Supportive Base
Dreamcatcher Handwoven Cane Basket
With a 5lbs limit, handwoven cane and a double-enforced wood base this is the ideal partner for your bike.
Why You Can Trust Us
Discerning Cyclist’s expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing cycling products so you don’t have to.
Testing stylish gear since 2012
Hundreds of hands-on product tests
Unfiltered opinions from experienced cyclists
More Rattan Bike Basket Ideas
Wicker Bicycle Baskets (Pros + Cons)
Wicker bicycle baskets are simple in their construction and design but it is worth considering their benefits and negatives before deciding whether it’s a carrying solution that is right for you.
On the plus side, wicker baskets are easy to attach and the open design makes storing and retrieving items super simple – ideal when you are out and about on a ride. Styling-wise wicker baskets make a natty addition to any bike, but they really set off a traditional or Dutch style city bike nicely.
On the downside, baskets aren’t great for heavy, bulky items and then fitments can sometimes leave a bit to be desired, often leaving the basket swinging unnervingly whilst you ride along. Also, by being mounted on the handlebars they can inhibit the usability of other handlebar items like phone mounts or lights.
Pros
- Simple storage.
- Open design makes it easy to access items.
- Easy and quick to fit.
- Traditional styling.
- Long-lasting.
- Made from natural materials.
- Lightweight.
Cons
- Heavy items are a no-no.
- Larger items won’t fit.
- Most don’t come with a cover.
- Basket can wiggle around when riding.
- Can impact steering.
- Inhibits lights and other handlebar-mounted items.
1. Nantucket Bicycle Basket Co. Lightship Basket
-
£41 -
$52 -
€48
Prices are approximate
- Weight: 0.23lbs
- Maximum Capacity: 13lbs
- Size: 12″ x 7.5″ x 9″
Traditional design
From a basket expert
Handcrafted
Nantucket Bike Basket Co. are a well-known manufacturer of baskets and the lightship model is perhaps its best.
It’s available in two shapes (we’ve included the Oval version further down our list) and a few colour options.
The classic or tapered style of the basket keeps items stowed safely as you ride.
Pros
- Decent weight limit
- Durable natural fibres
- Nice plaque on front
Cons
- Simple colours
- Larger size won’t suit all
- Tapered design can make items stored at the bottom hard to find
2. Nantucket Bicycle Basket Co. Madaket Creel Basket
-
£44 -
$55 -
€51
Prices are approximate
- Weight: 0.09lbs
- Maximum Capacity: 13lbs
- Size: 12.5″ x 8.25″ x 8.5″
Lidded design
Various colours
Functional
The second Nantucket basket on our list is their Madaket Creel model – the only basket with a lid to make our lineup.
Like all traditional wicker baskets, this one attaches to the bike’s handlebars via two adjustable leather straps. It should be easy to find the right, secure fit for your bike.
The simple hinged lid secures items when riding but it does mean you can’t quickly access items stored within the basket.
Pros
- Super secure storage
- Traditional design
- Different colour options to suit
Cons
- Lid prevents easy access
3. PetSafe Happy Ride Basket
-
£30 -
$38 -
€35
Prices are approximate
- Weight: Not stated
- Maximum Capacity: 13lbs
- Size: 16.5″ x 10″ x 13″
Ideal pet carrier
Machine washable interior
Two-step fitting is secure
Pet owners have long used a basket as a way to transport their furry friends by bike. Stowing a dog or cat on the front of your bike keeps them within your sight at all times when riding.
This version of PetSafe seems like excellent value, especially when you consider the extra features you get for the price.
This basket comes with a sold bracket that fits the basket to the bike as well as a pair of straps for extra security.
Pros
- Good value
- Sensible weight limit
- Sunshield is a nice touch
Cons
- The attachment might not fit all handlebars
4. Public Lightship Oval Basket
-
£48 -
$60 -
€56
Prices are approximate
- Weight: Not Stated
- Maximum Capacity: 13lbs
- Size: 14″ x 10″ x 8.5″
Oval shaped basket
Sturdy rim for supporting items
Natural colours
The third and final Nantucket basket on our list and this one is the oval variant of the Lightship basket. The oval top is suitable for seeing items stowed in the basket but is also great at providing extra support for larger items you want to carry in the basket. Things like flowers or loaves of bread are bulky and could be tricky to fit into baskets without such a large opening.
The Lightship Oval basket is available in two colours, both of which are natural in colour – a colour scheme which should fit with any colour of bike.
Pros
- Oval opening is good for large items
- Easy to see in
- Two colours
- Simple attachments
Cons
- Attachment not the sturdiest
5. Public Bikes Woven Basket
-
£56 -
$70 -
€65
Prices are approximate
- Weight: 2.3lbs
- Maximum Capacity: 15lbs
- Size: 13.5″ x 10.5″ x 9.25″
Good-looking basket
Various colour options
Simple fitting
The only basket on our list made from recycled seagrass. Seagrass is a fast growing plant commonly grown in Indonesia and often used in local basket production. Whilst Public aren’t explicit about the exact level or recycling, they do say that their woven basket is made from recycled seagrass.
This basket as a good solid weight limit of 15lbs so if you plan to carry heavier items than perhaps this is the basket for you. This extra capacity does mean that the whole basket does weigh a tad more than most.
Pros
- Nice colour variants
- 15lbs weight limit
- Made from quick-growing seagrass
Cons
- Pricer than some
- Weave does look more modern
- Heavy
6. Retrospec Toto Handwoven Cane Basket
-
£32 -
$40 -
€37
Prices are approximate
- Weight: Not stated
- Maximum Capacity: 5lbs
- Size: 14″ x 9″ x 8.5″
Supportive base
Good price
Three colours
Named Toto after the dog in Wizard of ‘Oz, this Retrospec is another basket worthy of your shortlist. Like most on our shortlist, it’s available in a variety of colours. Unlike some on our list, the rim of the basket has been designed in an angular, rectangular shape rather than a circle or oval. This helps give the basket decent capacity.
Despite a supportive wooden base, Retospec only rate the maximum weight limit of this basket at a disappointing 5lbs.
Pros
- Simple design
- Good value
- Reinforced wooden base
Cons
- Low weight limit
7. Retrospec Dreamcatcher Handwoven Cane Basket
-
£32 -
$40 -
€37
Prices are approximate
- Weight: Not stated
- Maximum Capacity: 5lbs
- Size: 14″ x 8.5″ x 9″
Supportive base
Good price
Three colours
Good in size and depth, you can be confident when stowing items in the Dreamcatcher Handwoven Cane Basket. The size of this basket is ideal for a small bag, a phone and a water bottle.
Again, despite a supportive base, this basket is only rated to carry 5lbs by the manufacturer so if you plan to vary the amount of stuff you pop in the basket, perhaps steer clear of this basket.
Pros
- Simple design
- Good value
- Reinforced wooden base
Cons
- Low weight limit
- Just two colours
How Do You Fit a Wicker Bike Basket?
Most wicker bike baskets are fitted to a bicycle handlebar via a set of rugged straps. Simply loop them around the handlebars, avoiding any brake or gear cabling as you do so, and find the right level of tightness.
Some wicker baskets fit on a bracket sold with the basket, this provides a more stable platform for the basket to sit on. Brackets like these tend to attach a bike’s handlebars via hex keys or similar.
Most wicker baskets are designed to be mounted on the front of a bike and it’s unusual to find one that stores on the rear of a bike, this is primarily due to the special brackets required to make them secure.
