Yeah, the blanket probly doesn't weigh much or take up much space. They fold up pretty compact. It might come in handy if you're stuck somewhere, or in shock after a tumble. Then again, if you're in shock, will you remember to wrap yourself up in the blanket? Well, maybe. I did do a lot of smart things with my backpack and what was in it when I was out in the woods with a broken ankle waiting for a passer-by and then for the passer-by to get help and for the help to arrive. As for the knife -- find a multi-tool with all you need for the bike + a knife on it, and tell your mom that's what you want next time she wants to give you a gift. Some cell phones also have a built-in flashlight. Mine does. Some have a pretty shiny mirror-like surface (mine doesn't). A small box of matches is no big deal to tuck into your underseat bag along with the rest of this stuff, or in your jersey pocket. The knife, sterilized with a lit match, can do snake-bite duty. You don't really need the suction cup. I have a pretty loud whistle that's an earring. I actually also have a sheath knife earring, but the knife isn't sharp enough to be useful. The whistle one, on the other hand, is a 2-hole ocarina that can be heard some distance and you can even play a tune on it, long as the tune only consists of 4 notes As for change of clothes and poncho ... I think the blanket can do multiple duty there, and you might comfort your mom that you generally start out with arm and leg warmers and a jacket on and stow those as the day heats up, so those are then extra layers if you're stuck somewhere, tired and sweaty, and it starts to cool off.

Let me know if you need one'a those earrings. I can prob'ly get more at the Medieval Fair come summer. They cost about $30 and weigh virtually nothing, so easy to mail. ... Anything to make a Mom happy