A Guide to Safe Bicycle Storage

Cycling has become an increasingly popular hobby with many people now opting to purchase a high-quality bicycle over a car. As well as reducing emissions and being kinder to the environment, cycling offers a host of health benefits too such as increased cardiovascular fitness, improved joint mobility and decreased levels of body fat. And, it’s one of those activities that the entire family can take part in. During the UK 2020 lockdown, there was a reported 63% increase in bike sales, leading to more of us seeking ways to maintain and store our bikes safely. To help all the new budding cyclists out there, we’ve created this guide to safe bicycle storage.

Why Is it Important to Store Your Bike Safely?

In the UK, the average price of an adult bicycle is around £250. However, you get what you pay for and bicycles can be upwards of £1,000 with specialised models setting you back far more than this. When you consider how much a new cycle could cost you, it also pays to invest in high-quality and reliable storage. The right solution will significantly reduce the risk of theft, preventing unwanted passers-by from taking your bicycle for themselves. Good bicycle storage will also provide protection that minimises the acceleration of wear and tear and keeps damage to a minimum. And, the right storage solution will fit with your home environment - taking into account how many times a week you expect to take the bike out or the available floor space in your storage area.

Pairing together the expense and how reliant we are on our bicycles, it’s easy to see why safe bicycle storage has become such a key topic.

Different Ways to Store Your Bike

The good news is that there is a multitude of ways to store your bicycle in and around the home and your workplace.

The main types are:

  • Floor Racks.
  • Vertical Wall Racks.
  • Horizontal Wall Racks.
  • Ceiling Racks.

Floor Racks

As the name suggests, floor racks are either fitted to the ground substrate or at ground level on the wall and used to clamp around the tyre of your bike to keep it upright and secure. An example of this would be our WallThey are ideal for environments where you have the available space or if you need to store multiple bikes next to each other.

Vertical Wall Racks

If you’re working with limited space, consider a vertical wall rack such as our Bicycle Wall-Mounted Storage Bike Hook. Manufactured from heavy-duty steel, these hard-wearing storage solutions have a rubber-coated hook that prevents scratching to the bicycle rim. With pre-drilled mounting holes and vinyl-coated hooks, they won’t mark the bike.

Horizontal Wall Racks

Vertical wall racks will hold the bike with both wheels against the wall. So, while they don’t take up floor space, you will need to account for clearance when moving around. Horizontal wall racks will hold the bike perpendicular to the wall - flat against the wall so you don’t need to consider this. These are also a popular choice for people who want to make their bicycle a feature - especially in loft spaces.

Ceiling Racks

Another option where floor space isn’t available is a ceiling rack. These versatile racks are compatible with most types of bikes and normally have specialist methods of lifting the bike. For example, the Roadster Bicycle Handling Cycle Joist Storage Lift has the capacity for 20kg bicycles with a maximum usable height capacity of 4m and a secure locking system to prevent accidental release.

How to Choose the Right Bicycle Storage Solution?

With such a wide range of options available on the market, it can be challenging to identify the right option for you. When choosing the right bicycle storage for your home or workplace, consider the following questions:

  • How Many Bikes Do You Need to Store?

Consider how much available space you have. Would it be easier to store the bikes on the wall with the smallest/lightest highest up so you don’t have to sacrifice any floor space?

  • How Accessible Do You Need the Bike to Be?

If you’re using the bike to commute every single day, chances are you won’t want to have the laborious task of getting it out of a complex set-up in the early hours of the morning. Nor will you want to use extra energy hoisting it up to a raised storage position if you’ve just spent the past hour or so cycling home. Floor stands are an easy option that uses minimal labour and are equally as safe as mounted alternatives.

  • How Heavy Is Your Bike?

Most adult road bikes weigh in at around 8kg/18lbs. This includes all components. Some styles, such as BMX bikes, are notoriously heavier, weighing in around 23lbs. This is to give them more stability and durability. However, the weight of your bike can dictate how safe it is to hang it on the wall.

  • Consider a Lock

If you’re opting to store your cycle outdoors, either overnight or while you’re at work, you will want to invest in a portable bicycle lock to take with you. Options such as the Silverline Coiled Security Bicycle Lock have a PVC coating to reduce the risk of damage to paintwork and provide a secure fixing to any bicycle rack or railing.

If you decide to swap your daily train commute or drive for a bicycle, it does pay to invest in your storage solutions and security options. For workplaces, we recommend a bicycle shed that has been custom-built to hold numerous bikes at any given point. You can use a combination padlock to restrict access to only those who ride their bikes in and keep them safe while employees work. At home, using the right security products such as ultra-strong alarmed padlocks or anchor plates secured to your chosen wall will help to secure your product and minimise the risk of theft in the event of a break-in too.

At Sealant & Tools Direct, we bring together a wide selection of high-quality products and budget-friendly prices to suit your needs. If you have any questions about bicycle storage or would like to speak to a member of the team, please do get in contact with us here today.