Are you thinking of building a cycle shelter? There are many factors to take in to account when you are building or planning a cycle shelter whether it is a home installation or a commercial installation. Having a clear specification when you begin looking at cycle shelters will make the process far more efficient and more importantly the result will be a cycle shelter that provides protection and security for bicycles that is used by many.
Will you need any sort of planning permission?
Planning permission regulations vary from country to country and even within different areas of countries – once you have identified a suitable location and style of shelter you should contact your local council to find out if you will require any sort of permission.
What space do you have available?
Before you even begin researching in to cycle shelters you need to know how much space you have available. You will also need to take in to account how that space is accessed and how overlooked it is. The more overlooked an area is then the less attractive it is to thieves – the flip side to this is that you may need to get planning permission to construct a cycle shelter in a sensitive area. Not all cycle shelters are the same and some will fit more bicycles in to the space available. Although this may seem like a great feature never forget that usability is the key and that people want unrestricted access to their bicycles. Bicycle storage that is easy to access is also far more likely to be used so if you want to increase the number of people using the cycle shelter make sure it is accessible.
How many bicycles will you need to store?
This depends on your situation, your requirements are will largely depend upon where the cycle shelter will be. Your requirements will be different if you are school or organization to if you are home owner just looking to store a couple of bicycles. If you are a large organization or school how many people currently cycle to work/school? Are you planning to promote your new cycle shelter in a bid to increase the amount of people cycling? You will find that some cycle shelters are modular in their design and as such can be extended in the future. If you think you may have a growing number of cyclists consider this factor carefully.
Security Considerations
If your cycle shelter is going to be situated out of the way and out of view then security is a very important issue to be considered. Bicycles can be extremely expensive so providing adequate security is essential. Secure cycles shelters will usually feature some sort of gate – it could be sliding or it could be hinged – consider how much space you have and whether you will be able to fully open the gate and maneuver around it. What type of locks are available for the gate? If you are using the cycle shelter in a work place or school then the best type of lock – if it is an option – is a combination lock, by using this type of lock you will not need to issue keys. For cycle shelters that will be used at home a simple padlock and key will suffice.
Another security aspect to consider is the material of the cycle shelter; if you can see through the cycle shelter then this is a great deterrent for thieves. Cycle shelters that feature large polycarbonate or PET panels are great for sites where security is an issue – if you have CCTV then you will be able to monitor activity in the cycle shelter. A transparent material will also allow light to pass through it so you will not need to invest in lighting.
Materials & Maintenance
Although timber cycle shelters may seem like a cheaper alternative you need to consider the maintenance overhead of them. Inside will be dark – so you will need to provide some form of lighting and this will be expensive to install. The timber will also need to be treated every year or so and this will also cost additional money.
If you are buying a cycle shelter for commercial or educational use you would be well advised to seek a shelter that is made from powder coated structural steel and polycarbonate panels similar to these Falco cycle shelters. These materials require no maintenance and will withstand the riggers of every day use for years to come. You will also find that with this kind of construction the powder coating of the steel will be available in multiple colors so you should be able to find a color to suit your corporate ID.
Installation
Who is going to install the cycle shelter? This is the final factor to consider. Many cycle shelters are extremely easy to erect and can be provided in kit form if necessary. Do you intend to assemble and install it your self or will you be looking to the company that provides the shelter to install it? If the bicycle shelters manufacture does not do installation then you will need to find a competent contractor.
To summarize the key aspects to be considered if you are looking for a new cycle shelter or cycle shelters you should be:
- Finding out if you will need planning permission.
- Calculating the space you have available.
- Anticipating how many bicycles will you need to store.
- Considering the security requirements of the cycle shelter.
- Bear in mind the materials and maintenance of any cycle shelters you are considering.
- Determining who is going to install the cycle shelter.
