DIY Bike Picnic Crate

Ariel
by Ariel
2 Materials
$15
30 Minutes
Medium

I wanted to get my bike road ready with a fun summer essential – a DIY bike picnic crate! While we don’t do many picnics, we have been known to enjoy some. Last summer we had some delicious lobster rolls picnic style, while in Martha’s vineyard, and with this DIY I’ve got a few more planned.

It’s easy to put on the bike, and just as easy to take it off, so you don’t have to worry about being stuck with it when you need to go for speed. Here is the finished piece in all it's beauty!

Materials required for a DIY Bike Picnic Crate

  • Wood Crate from Crate & Pallet which you can snag // here // or // here //
  • Minwax Wood Stain Cloths – I used Chestnut as the colour since it matched the seat on my bike.
  • Fusion Mineral Paint in English Rose
  • Bristle brush and detail brush
  • Two old leather belts that I thrifted
  • Drill + Drill bit

Step 1: Start by staining the outside of the crate. I love how the crate is already ready to go, I didn’t need to sand anything or prime the wood. The Minwax staining cloths also make it easy, since I can just wipe it on. Nothing complicated.

Step 2: Once the outside of the crate is stained, you’re going to paint the inside of the crate. You could stain the inside as well, but I wanted a punch of colour to match the bike frame. I used pink paint to add some life inside.

Step 3: Using a fine tipped brush, paint a floral and leaf pattern on the front of the crate. You can paint all around it, just the sides, or just the front. I figured I’d only paint one side so that it would really stand-out.

Step 4: You can permanently attach your picnic crate to the bike, but I like the flexibility of being able to take it on and off the bike. I used two old leather belts to do just that. Attach the crate to the bike using them, and mark where you need to trim them, as well as where you need to add a new notch.

Step 5: Using some tin snips, trim the excess belt lengths. Then, using a drill to add a new hole. I placed the belts on a piece of wood to give some traction to the bit, and to make sure I didn’t accidentally drill into my fingers.

Step 6: With the two belt straps complete, you are now ready to go! Attach the DIY Bike Picnic Crate to your bike, and off you go.

Resources for this project:
Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Hometalk may collect a small share of sales from the links on this page.More info
Ariel
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
Go
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
  2 questions
  • Becky Collier Becky Collier on Jul 14, 2020

    you did not show the finished bike and crate together. Where did you successfully attach it? I have a bike like that and I don't see where you can fasten a crate and have heavy things in it.

  • Prw16692328 Prw16692328 on Jul 17, 2022

    Where is the finished project??

Comments
Join the conversation
2 of 11 comments
  • Mcgypsy9 Mcgypsy9 on Jul 16, 2021

    Adorable!!! I wish I could still ride a bike but I know there are other ways to use this for a picnic. I love it!

  • Carolyn Young Carolyn Young on Jul 16, 2023

    By the way, everyone can just use a backpack to pack a picnic lunch, lol. 😂

Next