I have strapped one or two bungee cord to the rear rack of my touring bicycles for twenty years plus. Bungee cords are handy. On tours, I use them to secure luggage to the top of the rear rack. When running errands around town, I use them to hold items that won't fit in my panniers, e.g., a big package containing 24 rolls of toilet paper.

But I don't think I will stow bungee cords on the racks anymore. Today while riding to work, a cord came loose, wrapped itself tightly around the rear hub with the other end firmly hooked to the rear rack. Fortunately, I was travelling slowly, and was able to stop quickly. Had the wheel turned one or two more revolutions, the wheel probably would have locked. Fortunately, I managed to avoid having an accident today.

As convenient as it is to keep the bungee cords wrapped around the rear rack, I have decided it's too risky. In the future, I will find space in my panniers instead.

Does anyone know of alternative ways to strap stuff to the top of the rear rack that does not involve objects might get trapped in the wheel?