Where’s best to keep your bike?

July 11, 2016

Cycling has enjoyed something of a renaissance recently, with a growing number of people across the world opting for pedal power over other methods of transportation. It’s not difficult to see why, either. As the population rises, roads get busier; the costs of driving and using public transport are growing too.

In a bike, you have a means of getting from A to B cheaply and quickly without impacting the environment. Throw easy exercise into the mix and it’s a no-brainer! When you’ve spent big on some new wheels, though, you’ll want to keep it safe at all times. That means thinking carefully about where you store it.

Below, we’ve compared some of the most popular choices, so you can see the pros and cons of each.

Locked up outside your property

There are millions of lamp posts in the UK, so chances are there’s one near your home. If not, you’ll no doubt have a fence or even a public cycle park, so there’ll be something to which you can lock your bike.

This is often the first option that comes to mind when you people consider suitable locations, and it, like most other choices, has its advantages and disadvantages.

For – Having your bike outside on public land will help you save space inside your property. As long as the location is close enough, you can jump on and ride whenever you need to, without having anything extra cluttering your hallway.

Against – Left outside, your bike will be unprotected from its two biggest enemies: the weather and thieves. Constant exposure to rain will take its toll on your bike’s frame and components, causing rust over time, while the chances of theft increase substantially the moment darkness falls – decent lock or not.

Traditional garden shed

Garden sheds are handy little things. Cheap to buy, easy to put up and small enough not to get in the way, they’re hugely popular among bike owners across the country. But should you use one to store your bike? Let’s see.

For – Like a lamp post, a shed will also help you to save valuable space inside your home, except this time your bike will have a roof and walls for protection. You’ll get the benefit of keeping your bike sheltered from the rain and wind without it muddying your nice clean carpets and walls as well.

Against – Sheds are built to keep out the worst of the weather but they’re not exactly residential quality, so expect damp. Over a longer period of time, this could start to impact your bike’s condition. Very few wooden sheds will protect against fire either – or burglars for that matter.

Inside the property

To the most passionate of cyclists, a bike can feel like part of the family. So much so that it’s difficult to let it out of sight; leaving it on the street doesn’t feel safe enough and the shed just doesn’t cut it. In this case, keeping it inside might be the best way forward.

For – The ultimate protection from the weather and chancing criminals, your home is probably as safe as it gets. Assuming you have decent locks in place for yourself, it’s extremely secure, and the conditions are perfect. You’ll also have easy access whenever you want to go out.

Against – With property prices rising, space comes at a premium for most homeowners and tenants; do you really want to lose some to your bike? A cluttered hallway can look untidy while also making it difficult to pass through.

A side note: wall-mounting

It is, of course, possible to buy hooks and mounts that allow you to keep your bike suspended from a wall or ceiling. This is a great way to save on floor space, and if your bike is pretty enough, it may even add aesthetic value. The downside here is that you’ll have to start drilling holes, and that isn’t always possible if you don’t own the property.

A purpose-built storage unit

Don’t fancy any of the above? You could go all out and invest in a dedicated cycle storage unit. These come in all different shapes and sizes, from a number of suppliers. Providing you find the right one, it could prove to be a long-term solution to your bicycle storage worries.

For – You get to keep your bike outside and away from the cleanliness of your home without compromising on security. These units are built to last, with robust locking systems and, in many cases, fire-resistance. They’re also much tidier and more compact than a wooden shed.

Against – With purpose-built units costing more than most bog-standard sheds, the price may be enough to put some people off. The question you have to ask is: ‘how much do I value my bike?’ Most storage products can house multiple bikes, and when you start to add up the cost of replacing all of them, you should have your answer.

The choice is yours!

So there you have it – all of the most obvious places to keep your bike compared. Of course, the route you go down will depend on your own situation, but if we were to choose, it’d have to be a dedicated storage unit or inside your property.