I had this crazy idea today that maybe I should cycle to school once or twice a week. It's about 19 miles each way (in Miami) and my only concern is the fact that drivers here are nuts. When I ride for fitness/training I seek quiet roads but taking detours through minor roads for this commute would add too much time to it. The road I'd take is by no means a major road but it is a fairly busy one.

Anyhow, I'd hate to lug a backpack full of heavy books around. What sort of bag that attaches to the bike would you recommend? I'd ride a hybrid bike that can take panniers, fenders, etc.

More importantly, am I just of my mind? I suppose most of you will say I am not since you all commute on bikes but hey, who knows LOL.

Can you complete part of the commute by bike/ part by bus? Also, there are some on this forum who partly commute by car, then finish it by bicycle.

If you have a lot of books, two panniers might be the best option.

You'll have to do some research and some planning, but there are lots of possibilities.

19 miles is quite a distance on a hybrid, but if you can do it, do it.

The Arkel Bug is a well-known good-quality backpack pannier. However, dedicated panniers will give you more cargo room.

I personally use a messenger bag and an Axiom laptop pannier, but my commute is only 2.5 miles at the moment.

There are panniers that convert to backpacks. If you don't want to carry panniers on your back, you can bring along a fold-up rolling cart.

Depending on how heavy those books are (and I know how heavy even one can be!), plus the other stuff you will most likely bring, you will more than likely want to distribute the weight into two panniers.

Or get a large basket and mount it to the rear rack. Drop backpack in, cover with bungee net, and be off. Or do what I did. It's not a basket, but it was free and increases the surface area that my backpack can use without smushing it too badly (and less chance of straps getting caught in the spokes).

I live in Miami as well and commute everywhere on my bicycle... It is not that bad but get some good lights for the night =) As far as bags go ?? I have a backpack from outdoor brand and it been great so far, I lined it up inside with a trash bag since Miami rains are pretty brutal ahha