School bike sheds are the perfect way to encourage students and staff to use their bicycles instead of driving, whilst making a positive environmental impact. By providing safe, well-organised, aesthetically pleasing cycle storage, schools can transform their grounds from a chaotic bike jumble into a purpose built, attractive cycling area that benefits the entire school community.
Whether you opt for an open or covered bike shelters for schools, they both provide the same key benefits of a safe place to store bikes for easy access and security. In addition, both offer a weatherproof option to protect the bikes from rain, snow and harmful UV rays that can damage components and cause corrosion.
As well as offering protection and safety, both a wooden or plastic school bike shed can also be customised to meet individual requirements. Wooden sheds can be painted to match the surrounding architecture or landscape, while a range of different lock fixing options can be used to boost security levels further. A key feature of both a wooden and plastic shed is that they’re almost maintenance free, with a wash down now and again being all that is required. If you choose a metal shed, however, maintenance will be a little more involved with the need to regularly paint or powder coat the structure.
By ensuring that the school’s bike storage is located in a central, visible location, it sends a clear message that the school values cycling. This in turn will help to cut down on theft, as thieves will be less likely to target an area that is easily seen by passers-by.
The positioning of the cycle storage should also be considered to ensure that it is a seamless part of the flow from school gates to building entrances. This will prevent delays in the start and end of the school day and promote punctuality amongst students.
A major reason that many students do not cycle to school is due to the insufficient provision of secure and convenient cycle storage. Bike stands and racks are easy to install, but do not offer any level of security and can leave bicycles vulnerable to theft when left unattended for long periods of time. A school bike shelter or compound can offer a solution to this problem, with a locked gate and a roof to shield the bikes from the elements.
By implementing a school bike shelter, parents and children will feel more comfortable with the idea of children cycling to school. In addition, a school that invests in high quality and attractive cycle storage may be eligible for funding to assist with the costs. For further information about how to install and improve your school’s cycle parking facilities, contact us today. We will be happy to discuss the options and arrange a site visit. We can then design, manufacture and fit a high-quality school bike shed to your exact specifications. Our products are available in a wide range of colours, styles and finishes and can even be fitted with a living sedum or biodiverse green roof for added sustainability.