Bike storage amenities are a fundamental feature of most end of trip facilities, and they are important to ensure the security and proper care of bikes. There are many different kinds of bike racks available in the market, and one of the most popular of these is the vertical bike rack. This article discusses the pros and cons of vertical bike storage, to help you decide whether this kind of bike storage would be best to suit your end of trip facility requirements.
Why is bike storage so popular?
Cycling has become a very popular mode of transportation, particularly for office workers in larger cities. As people have become more interested in their own health, and the health of our planet, people are favouring bikes over other commuting methods like cars which emit high levels of CO2 and contribute greatly to the pollution levels and global warming. Additionally, there have been reported reductions in the amount of people using public transport, mainly thanks to the effects of COVID-19.
According to data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the amount of people using public transport has nearly halved within a year, with 14% of those surveyed using public transport in March 2021, compared with 23% who reported regular use of public transport before COVID-19 restrictions began in March 2020.
Additionally, in Melbourne, the Monash Public Transport Research Group surveyed 2000 people from outer, middle and inner suburbs about how they travelled to work before and after COVID-19, and found that public transport usage is expected to drop by 20%, with bike commuting being predicted to increase by 55% when compared to pre-COVID levels. In order to accommodate the growing usage of bikes as a commute option, appropriate bike storage facilities have now become an absolute necessity.
What types of bike storage options are available?
There are many different types of bike storage options available, including bike cages which can be accessed through a pin code, freestanding bike racks, hooks you can hang your bikes from, and many others. They all have their own pros and cons, but one of the most popular types of bike storage options is the vertical bike rack, particularly for commercial and office end of trip facilities.
What are the benefits of a vertical bike rack?
A vertical bike storage rack is a popular option for many people, as they provide people with an easy way to store and access their bikes, without too much trouble. Unlike other types of bike racks, the vertical bike stand or racks offer a convenient option to make the best usage of space, as they can accommodate more bikes within a given space.
While freestanding vertical bike racks do exist, most commonly they are bolted or otherwise securely attached to the wall and floor, adding an extra layer of safety for the bike rack users. Their design also means that they can fit a larger amount of bikes, making more efficient use of your available space.
What are some of the disadvantages of vertical bike rack storage?
While there are many benefits of vertical bike rack storage there are also some things you need to consider before making your investment. One of the main disadvantages of vertical bike racks is that because they predominantly need to be sacred to the floor and/or wall for safety, this means that once they are installed, they aren’t moving which can be annoying if you want to change their position.
That being said, if your end of rip facilities are well-designed, you should need to move your vertical bike racks and this shouldn’t be a problem. One of the other disadvantages of vertical bike racks, is that depending on the design of bike parking rack you choose, users may be required to lift their bikes up and down in order to use the bike racks, which may be difficult for children or older people.
This is where you will need to carefully consider who will be using your bike storage facilities in order to determine what kind of vertical bike rack would best suit your needs.
How to choose the right bike storage for your needs
If you are interested in investing in vertical bike racks for your office or commercial building, then your first step should be speaking to the experienced team at Five at Heart.
For nearly 15 years, Five At Heart has been transforming businesses and workplaces around the world by designing, manufacturing, and installing cutting-edge end of trip facilities, change room amenities, bike parking, and office spaces.
You can get in touch with the Five at Heart team or give us a call on 1300 769 332 to get started on your way to improving your business facilities.
