Providing bike storage solutions for employees and clients is becoming popular in modern businesses and public buildings. Bicycle storage is an excellent addition to any workplace, providing a convenient and eco-friendly option for employees to commute to work. It also allows visitors and clients to cycle to your place of business. In this article, we will explore the best places to install bike storage on your premises, both indoors and outdoors.
We often get asked where is the best place to put bike storage at a workplace. When it comes to installing bicycle storage in a building or your car park, there are several factors to consider. The primary determinant is usually space – outdoors or indoors, big or small, already secure or needing extra work. We have developed a free bike storage calculator to help you understand your space requirements. The next thing to consider is accessibility and convenience. It is always a good idea to put yourself in the cyclists’ shoes – would they need to carry their heavy bike up and down a flight of stairs or walk a long stretch in the rain to get to the door?
As a rule, bicycle storage spaces should be placed close to the destinations people want to get to. Bike storage should also ideally be within a visible area and proximity to the main entrance of a building. This is especially true if you expect some of your clients or visitors to use the cycling amenities, as they should be able to locate where to park their bikes quickly.
Now, let’s look at some specific ideas for places to install your bike storage solutions in and outdoors.
Outdoor Bike Storage
Depending on your premises, you may have different outdoor areas suitable for installing bike storage. The best place to install bicycle storage in an outdoor space would depend on the size and purpose of that area. This would also determine whether you should look at larger bike shelters and cycle enclosures or more minimalist solutions such as bike racks or bike stands.
Here are some of the best places to install bike storage outside a building:
1. Near Entrances
Installing bike storage near entrances, such as near the main entrance of a building, can provide easy and convenient access for cyclists. This location is handy for commuters who need to quickly and easily access their bikes before leaving the area. The other benefit is that these areas are usually well-lit, safe and easy to find. Often, clients who don’t have large parking spaces opt for installing bicycle racks or cycle stands near their main entrance.
2. Car park
A car park, especially one with enough space, gives you a wider variety of options to choose from when it comes to bicycle storage options. You could make a dedicated bike area and place a safe and secure bike shelter, or you may want to look into one of our excellent cycle enclosures. Just remember cyclists would need to get from your car park to the building sometimes in bad weather – make sure you place the bike storage area near your entrance.
3. Sheltered area
If you have a car park with a sheltered area, this might be the perfect location to install some bike storage. Keeping bikes safe and protected from the weather and harmful UV rays is what cyclists are looking for. If you already have space that does that, consider adding bike racks or bike stands to provide security for the bikes and ensure that people are parking their bicycles in an orderly way that doesn’t damage your property.
Indoor Bike Storage
We know not all buildings have outdoor spaces and car parks. Here are some of the best places to install bike storage inside a building:
1. Lobby or entrance
One of the most convenient places to install bike storage is near the lobby or entrance of the building. This makes it easy for employees and clients to access their bikes when they arrive and leave the building. However, it’s important to ensure that the bike storage does not take up valuable space or block the flow of foot traffic.
2. Underground parking
An underground car park makes a great place for storing bikes. Consider installing one of our bicycle racks, such as the Semi vertical bike rack, our best-seller two-tier back rack and free-standing wall dock bicycle rack, which can be installed to create an extensive free-standing bike parking space. They are perfect solutions for maximising space and increasing bike storage capacity, which is handy if you expect a lot of cyclists. Consider also making a larger and more comfortable bike storage area by adding additional storage space for your employees by installing some of our stylish and functional storage lockers.
You could also fence off a small area with one of our Bike Cages. Doing so allows you to create a room dedicated to bike facilities within your car park.
3. Basement or garage
Another great place to install bike storage is in the basement or garage. This provides a secure, sheltered space for employees and clients to park their bikes. We offer a great variety of cycle storage options for such areas. We have products like the Traditional Sheffield Bike Stand, the space-saving larger two-tier back racks, wall-mounted bike docks or free-standing wall dock bicycle rack option. Again, keep in mind the accessibility of the basement or garage, as some employees and clients may find it difficult to carry their bikes up and down stairs or across any other obstacles.
4. Dedicated room
A dedicated bike room is an excellent option for businesses with enough space to do it. This room can be designed specifically for bike storage and include bike racks or bicycle stands, as well as more premium facilities such as lockers. This provides your employees with a secure and convenient place to park their bikes and enjoy the option of storing personal items there. Often the ground floor is a good option for positioning such a room as it is easy to access with a bike.
Providing bike storage for your employees and clients is a great way to support a healthy and eco-friendly lifestyle while adding value to your building. When choosing the best place to install bike storage on your premises, you should start by evaluating the available space – asses its location, accessibility, convenience and the level of security it provides for bikes and people. To ensure the best experience for cyclists, place your dedicated bicycle storage area in convenient, accessible, safe indoor and outdoor locations.
Whatever the location, we can provide a solution as we offer various options available to suit your needs and budget. Contact us to see how we can help you choose the right bike storage option for your premises.