Baskets

Best Wicker Bike Basket: Top 7 Chic Baskets for Your Bicycle

An illustration of the best wicker baskets for a bicycle

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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

  1. nantucket bicycle basket lightship basket

    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.

  2. nantucket bike basket madaket creel basket

    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.

  3. petsafe happy ride basket

    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.

  4. public lightship oval bike basket

    Wide Opening

    Public Lightship Oval Basket

    Available in two colours, the wide oval opening of this basket makes storing and retrieving items very easy.

  5. public bikes woven basket

    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.

  6. toto handwoven cane bike basket

    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.

  7. dreamcatcher handwoven cane basket

    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.

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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.

A wicker basket with tulips on a pink bicycle against a brick wall.
This unique basket by Public Bikes is woven from recycled seagrass. (Photo: Public)

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

nantucket bicycle lighsthip basket feature
  • UK Flag ยฃ41
  • US Flag $52
  • EU Flag โ‚ฌ48

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

nantucket bicycle basket madaket creel basket
  • UK Flag ยฃ44
  • US Flag $55
  • EU Flag โ‚ฌ51

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

petsafe happy ride basket blue
petsafe happy ride basket in use
petsafe happy ride basket view
  • UK Flag ยฃ30
  • US Flag $38
  • EU Flag โ‚ฌ35

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

public lightship oval basket
public lightship oval basket in use
public lightship oval basket colours
  • UK Flag ยฃ48
  • US Flag $60
  • EU Flag โ‚ฌ56

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

public bikes woven basket blue
public bikes woven basket view
public bikes woven basket colours
  • UK Flag ยฃ56
  • US Flag $70
  • EU Flag โ‚ฌ65

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

retrospec toto hand woven cane basket blue background
retrospec toto hand woven cane basket clasp
retrospec toto hand woven cane basket colours
  • UK Flag ยฃ32
  • US Flag $40
  • EU Flag โ‚ฌ37

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

retrospec dreamcatcher handwoven cane basket blue
  • UK Flag ยฃ32
  • US Flag $40
  • EU Flag โ‚ฌ37

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.

A woman attaching a wicker basket to a bicycle.
This Retrospec wicker basket has adjustable leather straps which easily attach to the front handlebars without the need for tools. (Photo: Retrospec)


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