Mounting Bike Lights on Bike Baskets

When you have a bike basket, it's better to mount your headlights on your basket than on your handlebar because it improves visibility and illuminates the road better. Bike lights on your basket won't be blocked by the basket or the items inside. You'll also have more space for your handlebar accessories such as horns, bells, cycling computers and cameras.

Most bike lights don't have basket mounts and when they do, you can't tilt them. I will show you how mount your light to your basket. I used the Planet Bike Blaze 500 XLR Rechargeable Headlight for this Instructable.

Notice that when the headlight was on the basket, the beam was not shaded and when the headlight was on the handlebar, nearly half of the beam was shaded.

• PVC pipe
• Black duct tape
• Cable ties
• Front light of your choice with its handlebar mount
• Bike with a front basket

Use a hacksaw to cut the pipe to one to two inches longer than your basket's width. For mesh baskets, you want the frame of the basket to support the weight of the pipe rather than its mesh.

Drill four holes around the pipe every two inches. The holes should be wider than the cable ties.

When tying the pipe, you want it to be parallel to the handlebars to aim the light forward. Both sides of the pipe should rest on top of the basket for stability. The cable ties will go through the holes you drilled. They should be tightened so that your bike light won't drift. You can drill more holes if needed.

The duct tape is used to block UV rays which is harmful for the plastic. If the pipe is too narrow for your headlight mount, wrapping more tape will improve traction.

After mounting the light, you will be more visible to drivers. Since the light is moved about a foot forward, drivers will see you earlier and have more time to react. Hopefully, more people will drive safely and yield when you have the right of way.