Another homegrown bike craft: Duct tape handlebar bags

Yes that’s duct tape,
with a reflective star.
(Photos © J. Maus)

Tomas Quinones can be seen frequently on Shift bike fun rides, Cycle Wild camping trips, and other bike cultural events.

He recently began making, and selling, simple handlebar bags made out of duct tape. In Quinones’ words:

I started making them for my own use back in January after I grew tired of my large Ortlieb handlebar bag preventing me from using a light on my handlebars. I just wanted something small and simple for snacks, batteries, and camera so that a light can be used effectively without any type of special mounting. Most other bags I had seen were too large or more complex than needed.

Story continues below

Tomas Quinones (left)
at the BikePortland
Get Together in
Multnomah Village last
month.

After I had made my first digital camo bag, several friends wanted me to make one for them in other colors.

I’m still plotting out other designs as I can find most colors of duct tape in local stores or online. I’m also going to experiment with other reflective designs other than a star — perhaps a mudflap girl?

And so another local bikecraft business was born.

Quinones sells the bags online through his page on Etsy, a popular web site where people sell their own hand-made goods and crafts.

I’m hoping we’ll be able to talk him into participating in our next BikeCraft event, which we are planning for the beginning of August. Stay tuned for more details.