Planning bike storage calls for the dimensions of one or more bicycles and the available space. If you have plenty of room to work with, a bike stand can be an easy way to keep a city bicycle upright. Mounting one or more bikes frees up a substantial amount of floor space, allowing for a practical and visually pleasing presentation of any bike, including the best electric beach cruiser.
Know the Planning Dimensions
An adult bike takes up a space about six feet long, three-and-a-half feet tall and just under two feet wide. This is a considerable footprint for an apartment or house with limited square footage. If you need to maintain floor space, plan to mount a bike on a wall or ceiling or store it in an external enclosed location such as a garage or shed.
Consider Stands and Mounts
A stand supports a bike without causing unnecessary wear on any components. A simple stand consists of a bent metal bar and some styles support a bike frame for maintenance. Other stands make it easy to roll in the front or back wheel and secure a bike. Most stands have the benefit of being portable and suitable for short- or long-term storage indoors or outdoors.
Mounts elevate a bike off of the floor to reduce its footprint. Use a mounting system with hooks or hinges to secure a bike by the frame or wheels. A vertical mount is a good way to minimize the width of a bike, but requires more depth. A horizontal mount takes up more width and less depth. Gravity stands or free standing racks are self-contained and easier to relocate.
Ensure Ease of Access
Whether you use a bike stand, rack or mount, city bicycles should be easy to access. Avoid blocking one bike with another by storing bikes side by side or on a rack. You may be able to suspend bikes higher for seasonal storage, but if you need more frequent access or don’t want to risk injury, look for the most accessible mode of storage.
The type of bikes you need to store may also determine the best storage solutions. Mountain bikes tend to require specialized mounting hardware with adjustable arms to accommodate an angled top tube. You may prefer to show off the vintage styling of a cruiser in an art-style wall display. Kids may have difficulty accessing any bike that is mounted at a significant height or stored vertically. A stand or low support system may be the best way to grant children access to bikes and proper storage.
Having realistic expectations about how much space bikes take up is important for determining the best storage solution. The availability of floor space and ceiling height in a structure may determine the right approach. Make sure to prioritize ease of access. In some cases, a ceiling-mounted pulley or powered lift could provide the best of both worlds. No matter where you store bikes, set aside room for maintenance and repair and look for ways to organize cycling gear and equipment.