Is inadequate bike storage stopping you cycling to work?

Commuting to work on a bike isn't for everyone but if you enjoy cycling, pedalling your way to work can be relaxing and leave you feeling healthier and more invigorated for the day ahead. Not only are there health benefits to cycling to work but there are also financial benefits. Sure, you've got to buy the bike to begin with but depending on how seriously you take your cycling a bike doesn't have to cost a fortune. In terms of maintenance the most you'll have to buy your bike is a new set of brake blocks and maybe some lubricant to keep it parts moving freely. There really isn't a cheaper way to travel.

If you're relatively fit and healthy then you can probably easily cycle a couple of miles without building up a sweat but if you're thinking of cycling to work to get fit and healthy it may be a different matter… You will want to make sure that there are some showers or washroom facilities at the other end. This one fact alone puts most people are cycling to work, but if your workplace has showers and washing facilities then you can't use that as your excuse…

Another prime reason that people put off cycling to work is that they worry about having their bike stolen. Having adequate bike storage where you work can alleviate this problem but admittedly not everywhere does have sufficient storage for expensive bicycles. Perhaps if you're really serious about cycling to work and there are a few others of you in your workplace want to do this you could suggest to your employer that they install some good, secure bicycle storage.

Bicycle storage comes in many forms and it really depends on how many bikes you will want to store as to what form of storage you get. It also depends on how much space you have to keep bicycles.

If outdoor space isn’t an issue and your boss agrees that some form of storage for bikes would be a good idea a bicycle shed with a locked door - whether it's by a padlock or a key coded lock - is one of the best bicycle storage solutions. Having a dedicated bicycle shed will keep your bike sheltered from the elements and out of view of opportunist thieves.

If your bosses is not so inclined to fork out the money for a bike shed you might have to put up with some racks to chain your bike to. Although bike racks are not the ideal choice they still enable you to securely lock up your bike and if the rack is in a prominent position it will make it less likely to attract thieves.