Bicycle panniers, or baskets, allow you to use your bike to make short trips in town to the grocery store, library, video store or other nearby shops. For practical, lightweight and low-cost panniers, try using small, rectangular plastic wastebaskets.

Just drill quarter-inch holes under the rim along one side of the baskets, and a few more in the bottom for drainage in wet weather. Then use nylon rope to tie the bicycle baskets to the rear rack. The baskets may rattle a bit when you hit a bump in the road, but they can tilt up to be emptied of leaves and other debris. To carry a dozen library books or a couple days' worth of groceries, use 16-quart bins, which are just the right size.