Secure, high quality parking is essential to make cycling a viable option. But which cycle parking solutions should employers, developers, planners and architects choose to encourage cycling? Find all the answers here.
Types of Cycle Parking
There are a range of cycle parking products on the market. Common types are listed here, with their uses, and benefits:
Cycle parking is particularly important for high density residential areas such as apartment blocks, terraces and any homes that don’t have street level storage. New apartment developments should include indoor or sheltered cycle parking with access control. For housing situations where ground level space is limited, cycle parking should be installed in the carriageway; the Bikehangar from Cyclehoop is the market leading solution.
Encouraging employees to commute by bike is increasingly important for employers to boost their ESG credentials. A range of options are available from outdoor shelters and compounds, to indoor spaces fitted out with cycle storage. High density cycle racks such as two-tier racks and semi-vertical racks can help convert indoor space into cycle stores.
While Sheffield stands can be sufficient to lock bikes for very short stays, in 2025 the trend towards expensive e-bikes and the increased risk of theft following the widespread availability of battery powered angle grinders means that higher security cycle parking solutions are necessary. Secure, fully enclosed, app enabled solutions like the Cyclehoop Trips Bikehangar offer weatherproofing and protection from opportunistic theft. Access controlled solutions such as gated shelters and hubs should be used wherever possible.
The type of cycle parking you choose will depend on the space available, the number of users you are catering for and the length of time you expect them to park their bikes. It can also depend on whether the site has any existing security measures. According to the metropolitan police, approximately 320,000 bicycles are stolen in the UK every year. Safeguarding against theft by providing high quality, high security parking is essential to make cycling a viable mobility choice.
Guidance
What guidance is there to help me install high quality cycle parking? There is a wealth of detailed information available to help you install high quality cycle parking. We’ve gathered five key points here:
1.
Location. Cycle parking should be located as close as possible to the destination. Cyclists will only use them if they are convenient to their journey.
2.
Security. Cycle parking must be secure. It should allow both wheels and the frame of the bike to be easily locked. For medium and long-term parking, ideally it should be in an access controlled enclosure that is accredited by Sold Secure or a similar security standard.
3.
Surveillance. Cycle parking should be well lit and well overlooked. Thieves love secluded bike racks, and cyclists are unlikely to use them if they don’t feel safe. Make sure they can be seen during operating hours.
4.
Accessibility. Some or all of the parking should be accessible to non standard cycles, including hand cycles, tricycles and cargo bikes. There should be step-free access and sufficient space to allow clearance for people with bikes to manoeuvre in and out of the spaces.
5.
Demand. Cycle parking should exceed current demand with provision for future growth.
For in-depth guidance see the following documents:
Funding
Need help financing your cycle parking project? There are a variety of funding streams and incentives to help enable active travel. These incentives often vary by area and timeframe. The organisations below are great starting points to find additional funding for your project.
