Looking for the best place to store your bike? Is your current storage location keeping you from enjoying your bike as much as you’d like? We offer a variety of practical storage options that keep your bike safely out of the way between rides while giving you the unstow-and-go convenience to pedal whenever you please.
Accessibility, security, personal safety, protection from the elements…these are some of the most important factors to take into account when searching for the best storage solution for your bike. Whether you have the option of either indoor or outdoor storage, you’re limited to one or the other, or even if you have minimal space available, we’ll help you find the perfect fit from among our many ingenious storage solutions.
Contact us to send your own storage ideas and solutions! We’re always looking to improve this resource for our customers.
HOME/RESIDENTIAL BIKE STORAGE
What’s the best method for storing your bike at home? Consider these points, then read on to learn about common storage locations.
Home Bike Storage – Factors to Consider
Convenience
- Will the storage product be quick and easy for you to set up and use?
- Will you tend to use your bike less if it’s stored in an inconvenient location?
Safety
- How easy will it be to get your bike into/out of its stored location?
- Does your physical health allow you to lift a bike by yourself?
Security
- Would your storage place protect your bike from theft and/or damage (e.g. indoor garage)?
- If not, will you have a way to lock your bike(s)?
Damage Protection
- Are you able to store your bike indoors, or must you store it outdoors?
- If outdoors, is the area you’re considering covered? If not, how will you protect your bike from rust or wear-and-tear from the weather?
How many bikes do you need to store at once? Might this change in the future?
- We offer storage methods with multiple capacities to fit your needs.
- Some racks are expandable to hold more bikes if/when your needs change.
Length of storage period
- Do you need only seasonal storage or everyday/year-round storage?
- Think about how your required length of storage might affect your choice, e.g., convenience is not as important if you are storing your bike for a whole season as opposed to every day.
Home Bike Storage – Locations and Compatible Methods
Whether you need to store your bike(s) in an apartment, single-family home, townhome or condominium, consider these locations and methods:
Garage (most popular)
- Does your garage have a ceiling high enough to accommodate hanging bikes? Taking advantage of un-utilized ceiling space with a lift or hoist is a great option.
- Wall hooks, wall hangers, vertical wall racks, and gravity wall racks, as well as bike tree racks and other freestanding racks, are other excellent options for the garage.
Hallway
Utility Room, Living Room, etc.
- Any typical room in your home may allow for a ceiling, wall or floor bike rack.
Balcony
- Due to its portability and small footprint, a floor bike stand is a great option.
Basement
- A basement may offer many of the same storage options as a garage, unless accessibility issues make it impractical.
Bike Shed
- A dedicated outdoor structure such as a small shed frees up room in your home, while offering protection from the elements. Within the shed (and depending upon its size), you may choose from many of the same storage methods that a garage allows.
PUBLIC/COMMERCIAL BIKE STORAGE
What’s the best method for providing bike storage in a public space? We’ve listed some factors to consider along with some location suggestions.
Public/Commercial Bike Storage – Factors to Consider
Size of Location
- A common mistake made with public bike racks is not planning a large enough space.
- Carefully measure and plan your space to ensure that racks are placed far enough apart that they can be fully utilized.
Number of Users
- Plan for enough spaces to accommodate all cyclists.
- Commercial parking racks may hold up to 16 bikes; you can connect racks with adapters to accommodate as many bikes as needed.
Security
- Be sure that the rack you choose provides a way for users to lock their bikes.
- Permanently mount each rack to keep it and the bikes from being stolen by installing either earth or concrete anchors. Styles are available for both fresh and existing concrete.
Protection from the Weather
- Is the area you are considering covered to keep the bikes dry?
Public/Commercial Bike Storage - Locations and Compatible Methods
Public storage space
- Typical public spaces offer commercial bike racks on a large, flat surface (often concrete) near the front of buildings.
- If you’re considering storage at a business, school, church or some other public location, make sure that the location is easy for cyclists to find and use.
On Street
- If there are one or more posts (such as parking meter posts) in front of your building, you can install a meter ring(s), each of which holds 2 bikes.
Floor Stand
- Floor Stands are super-portable
- Works in practically any room
- Simple option for a bike without a kickstand
- Fits in your trunk for use on the road.
- Some models are expandable to hold more bikes.
Wall Hook/Hanger
- Wall hooks are best for garage/basement/bike shed, or indoor room with sufficient wall space
- In addition to horizontal wall space, consider whether there is sufficient space for bikes to project outward from wall.
Wall-Mount/Vertical Rack
- Vertical racks hold 2 to 5 bikes mounted against a flat wall in garage/basement/bike shed.
- Some have space for a helmet or other accessories.
- May fold down when not in use.
- Some models are expandable to hold more bikes.
Bike Hoist or Bike Lift
- Bike hoists are best for garage or basement
- Mounted on the ceiling
- Also can be used for items such as ladders
- If someone breaks into your garage, a hoist or lift can make it more difficult for them to steal your bike(s).
- Some models are expandable to hold more bikes.
Freestanding Bike Racks (also known as Gravity Bike Racks or Tree Racks)
- A good choice for apartments, freestanding bike racks do not require holes in wall
- Various types securely hold up to 4 bikes either against a wall or in an open space.
- Some styles are available in oak wood to blend with your décor for indoor use.
- Some models are expandable to hold more bikes.
Floor to Ceiling Bike Rack
- Best for garage or basement
- Tension-mounted systems store multiple bikes with no screws.
- Some styles are available in oak wood to blend with your décor for indoor use.
- Some models are expandable to hold more bikes.
Bike Parking Rack
FOR ADDED PROTECTION WHEN STORING YOUR BIKES:
Locks
- If your storage location is accessible to the public, be sure to purchase secure locks to protect your bike(s).
Bike Bags
- If you’ll be carrying your bike(s) for an extended period behind a camper or RV, you can protect the bike(s) with a bike bag.
- A bike bag completely encloses your bike(s), offering great protection from the elements.