The Notabag is reflective backpack that is helping push the disposable plastic carrier bags towards extinction. The lightweight and reusable design is made from a highly reflective material and is ideal for cyclists because it packs down to a pouch small enough to fit in a saddle bag.
In common with a carrier bag, each Notabag is made out of a single piece of material and is free of buttons or Velcro. But with a single pull on the straps, it transforms itself into an easy-to-carry backpack.
The origins of the Notabag will be familiar to anyone who has tried to cycle with a carrier bag attached to the handlebars.
Founder of Notabag, Adnan Alicusic, explains: “The idea was born during a trip to the local farmers market. It was one of those situations that many can identify with: the grocery bag filled up very quickly and I still had to ride my bike home. Things got pretty tricky once I found myself in the middle of busy city traffic. I was trying to maneuver my bike, while having a heavy shopping bag on my handlebar bumping against the front wheel. I couldn’t help but wish that I had my backpack with me, or that at least I could carry my shopping bag over the shoulders. At that moment, I started visualising how a simple bag could be transformed into a backpack.”
A successful crowd-funding campaign helped make the idea a reality and the Notabag reflective backpack is now available for £30 at bookman.se.
Win a reflective backpack
The clocks go back at the end of this month, so to celebrate the start of winter cycling we have a reflective bag to give away. Leave us a message at the bottom of the page and we will pick a name next week.
Protection for you and your bike
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Neil Woolford
A Notabag, why not? Not a bad idea!
Tim Day
A great, simple solution to a common problem.
Janine Walker
These are great! Perfect for the daily commute in the dark months too
Aka Berg
that would be nice and shiny while driving through the autumn leaves!
Mike Conway
I was faced with exactly that challenge today – to much shopping and no bag.
Adele Mills
just what my daughter could do with on dark autumn cycling trips – and cool enough for her too !
Graham Corfield
Notabag sounds a great idea, winning one would be even better!!
Bettina Becker
Yeah, anything reflective is great in winter…
Jan Heatley
An inspired idea.Hope I see a lot of these about.
inge
Hello!
Richard Timmis
thank you very much… also useful for walking / short runs
Karl Wallendszus
Looks great!
Chris Barker
This is a great way to keep shopping out of the way, with a highly visible bag on your back.
chris deacon
fine idea. will share it on Fleecebook
richard scrase
Yes please – and could everybody else stop emailing now???
Gloria Sims
Just right for old and young – coming home from late book club or Pilates session. Brilliant!
Sundeep Grewal
A Notabag, what a great idea!
Liv Engelhardt
Not a bag reflecting safety and environmental importance on our roads!
Peter Clark
What a bright idea! (Did you see what I did there?)
Simon
After some reflection, I’ve decided this is definitely my bag.
Greg Millard
Great bag!! Look out for me cycling to work in that,super Bright…..great idea love it.
Richard Newman
‘Message’
Eric Ludlow
Sooner or later, surely it must be my turn to win an ETA giveaway…
Owain
Exactly what I need.
hannah
A waterproof version would be great!
wilf tomlinson
A reflective Notabag will go well with my Morsbag
Rory Harkins
Yes!!!
Bill
I can see why this would be a great safety feature
Owen van Gijn
A friend and colleague recently broke her arm falling after using the shopping bag approach.. This would be for her
Tracey
Would be great for winter commute evenings 🙂
Michelle Cooper
This looks perfect for picking up some shopping on my cycle commute 🙂
Richard
Great idea to be seen carrying the odd pint
Jane collier
A practical safety-minded solution for those quick pop-ins to the shop on the way home.
Sue Whitham
ideal for me, an old granny
Tony Pratschke
That is just the thing I have been looking for. I use a mobility scooter because of limited mobility due to arthritis. I usually end up with shopping bags hanging from the arms of the seat. This is a neater design than the heavier shopping bags that strap onto the back of the seat.
Alison Chisholm
Reflection two ways: safety for cycling and a reminder to reduce plastic use- great on both counts.
Pedro
Handy size and safer than a back pack
Jose
Would make the streets of Birmingham a bit safer!
Simeon
Ideal for our daughter who cycles around London early and late.
Vicky Hirsch
Great and “cool” enough for my daughter to carry when cycling to the shops!
steve
A bright idea!
Peter Chisnall
In the bag
Doug Milsom
Perfect for trips to the shops after the clocks go back. I would only need to attach pannier bags for bigger shopping expeditions!
Freya Roberts
This would make me feel so much safer cycling in London!
Julian
Keep those bicycle caravan stories coming x.
Alastair Seagroatt
A visual, practical delight, why not?
Sharon
What a ‘bright’ idea. A ‘shining’ example of innovation at its best.
Melani Fox
As well as for cyclists, these would also be good for people walking to school/work on dark winter mornings. Brilliant!
Richard Mackay
Splendid idea!
Frank Lee
Be seen and be safe
Lisa
looks the perfect size, super handy and safe
Anna Shakoor-Green
The Notabag is a great idea – simple and effective. Ideal for spur-of-the-moment purchases.
Dave Mann
A solution and resolution whilst reducing pollution – it’s in the bag.
Ruth
These are a great idea – I’d love one!
Sally Taylor
Brilliant idea – just perfect for my son to use when he rides to Scouts every week, now that the nights are getting darker.
Emma
Ooooh, much safer than a holey bag on the handlebars – I’d give one a great home! 🙂
Suie Bower
Just the thing to make me feel safer cycling in the dark winter months following a fractured wrist
Jamie J
Seems guaranteed to make the shopping lighter…
Gareth Wells
What a great design! Brilliant. I’d love to win one… Hint hint!
Ian Harvey
Perfect to carry all my kit into work
Francis Voon
What a light idea!
Catherine Goss
A spare bag that packs up small, that I can wear on my back and which gets me seen on the road. Perfect.
Giorgio Pellegrini
Interesting idea, unfortunately the price is ridicolously high considering what the item actually is – a carrier bag with two straps. I wish sometimes you could sponsor cheaper but more useful products!
Wesley Burrage
Something to reflect on.
Mark
It could live on my seat rails ready for when I need it!
Darren C
I was lucky enough to be picked as the winner of the last give-away (the Brightside light), so if anyone has any doubts about entering, then don’t worry as someone will receive the prize, and it might be you!
(Thank you Yannick, the light came the next day)
T Deave
reflects like a beacon – great!
Sara-L
A ‘bag-for-life’ that can save your life!
Eco-friendly, always there when you need it and gives you some piece of mind, makes this bag a perfect match for ETA (Britain’s most ethical insurance company)
Brilliant (literally) 🙂
Matthew Pham
looks like a great bag for everyday use!!!
Tim Allen
Looks great, especially handy if some of your route is unlit roads.
James Russell
A better idea than a lovely reflective top, hidden by a night-camouflage rucksack!
Nadine Smykatz-Kloss
On reflection, a brilliant idea!
Janet Robertson
Great idea, would love to win one!
Andrew Harmsworth
I’ve reflected on this article and in retrospect, I actually think it’s a great idea! 😀🍾❤️🚴🏻
Phil
I would like this bag
Ilana
As soon as I saw this article, I realised this is what I have wanted for along time. I love bags for life and always carry one on me. I have often thought it would be easier to be able to carry one as a backpack, so I’m glad Adnan invented one. I’ve experienced and seen many other cyclists struggle with their shopping bags whilst cycling and it can be dangerous too, getting in the way of steering and the moving front wheel (one of my bags ripped from rubbing against the front wheel). Also, this bag being reflective is a very useful bonus. I have noticed drivers are more careful around me when I wear something highly reflective.
I would love one of these ‘Notabag reflective backpacks’. Not only does it cool, but it’s simple and easy to pack it away. I would definitely use it a lot! I’m sure all of my cycling friends would want one if they saw me wearing it 😉
Iain Shanks
Great idea.