Back in February, Treehugger posted a visually tantalizing slideshow of bike storage options. We featured it in Sightline Daily’s news digest, but something about it ate at us: many of the solutions were utterly impractical.
As even an occasional Northwest bike-rider knows, our bikes get wet. Sometimes, really wet—not to mention muddy, gritty, grimy, etc. Certainly past the point of wanting to hang them over an expensive couch.
Still, the article piqued our curiosity. How do real people park their bikes? We put a call out to readers to submit their bike storage photos. Here’s what we got.
Have your own bike storage solution? Email us at editor@sightline.org, and we’ll add your submission to our Pinterest board.
Proving Treehugger’s solutions aren’t totally far-fetched, Jesse K. sports a custom-made bike shelf:
And Kelli B. used recycled materials for a good-looking bike shelf:
Others take advantage of backyard space by building bike sheds. Huck B’s whole family helped build this beauty (more shots here):
Sightline cyclist-in-chief Alan Durning dedicates a backyard shed to his bikes:
Some ditch the roof. Jeff Y. built a bike rack, which Jeff’s letter carrier calls a “bikeport”:
Jeremy F. makes good use of a tarp to keep his recumbent bike dry:
In sunny Santa Monica, the weather’s not a worry. Jessica L. keeps it simple, and her bike survived a rare rain event.
Her colleagues at NRDC don’t have to worry much about the weather either:
Speaking of workplaces, here’s how Sightline (and other building tenants) store staff wheels:
Seattle Bike Blog has a bike-savvy landlord. This storage solution at its HQ came pre-installed:
Apartment and condo dwellers can keep bikes out of the house by taking advantage of parking garages. In Vancouver, BC, car-free Carolyn D. makes use of the two parking spots that came with her apartment:
Vince H. carves out space in his building’s garage:
No shared garage? No problem. Personal garages work too. Charlie W. neatly fits six bikes in his.
Rick R. stores his bikes in half of his half-garage:
Former Sightline intern Mackenzie B’s bike chills out on the floor of her garage:
Corey F. replaced his water heater tank with a tankless version, freeing up precious basement space for bikes!
Former Washington State Transportation Secretary Doug MacDonald keeps his bikes at the ready in his furnace room:
Ethan M. keeps some bikes in the garage…
And others inside the house:
House dwellers and apartment renters alike need not worry: there’s plenty of room for bikes indoors. Prolific bike-writer Elly Blue shares a pic from a friend:
Heidi G. mounts her bikes on a frame:
Brad B. has outfitted his hall:
Mary F. combines two of her loves: bikes and books fill a crowded study:
Sightline’s Pam MacRae dries her ride in the hall:
Peter R. makes his foyer a busy bike scene:
And then there are the really creative solutions. Matt G’s bikes hang out. Literally:
Lastly, Paul T. in New York takes advantage of high ceilings with a bike pulley system:
As a display piece or hidden from sight, each bike needs a place to stand by, awaiting the next chance to roll. And bike owners everywhere have figured out ingenious storage.
Feeling inspired? Email your own bike storage photo to editor@sightline.org and we’ll put it up on Pinterest.
Love this article? Read more of our bike-related research here!
Matt the Engineer
Love the little bikes filling the large required parking spaces. Code-required minimum parking? Of course you could have fit 10 bikes in each of those spaces (and more hanging from the ceiling).
Ethan M
I am seriously jealous of the reuse box racks. That is awesome! Well done in putting mine to shame.
Keith B
Great collection of storage designs. Thank you. I love the bike shelves. Should you publish this again, the Washington DOT secretary is using his boiler room (not furnace room) for his storage area.
And, Alan D, please straighten up your bike shed for safety & for ease of use!(:-)
Jose
I like a lot of these. I especially like the shelf options. Our problem was that he have beach cruisers and didn’t want to buy the converter bar to use the shelf option. Plus I think the beach cruisers are much heavier than other bikes. So, we built a shelf with hooks. Check it out and let me know what you think.
http://joseandcharityspemberley.blogspot.com/2012/10/day-6-home-for-bicycles.html
Tim L
Thanks for your ideas. What do you think of the yard stash outdoor storage tent?
Guest
How about a bicycle rain cover akin to the motorcycle and car covers? Does anyone sell something like this?
jeik
Arg. My condo association has a rule that only one bike may be stored per garage spot. I’ve been trying to change this since I moved in 4 mos. ago but no luck so far.
Matt
I like the idea of having actual people submit pics of how they store their bikes, as opposed to just assuming what would be the best for your readers. Great idea!
Recently I read an article that specifically talked about how to prepare your bike for storage, instead of pointing out different storage methods. Basically is says you should clean the bike, lubricate it, and either take the tires off or store it standing up. What do you guys think about that? Are there any other suggestions you would have for people trying to store their bike for a long time?
Bellebeer
The Artivelo BikeDock is Awesome.
RG
These are all great storage solutions. I love the wooden box one. I recently moved to Vancouver BC and am facing the issue of no place to store my poor Bike. It’s not allowed in the halls, apartments, balconies or in car parking spots. There is one bike locker room but you have to petition to get a space once a year and most of the time they don’t have space. I thought Vancouver was bike friendly….
Susan
I would like to store a bike over the rail of my boat and have the bike sit on the outside connected to the rail of my boat. Any suggestions?
AJ
Have you looked at the fourtreks modular tool mounts? I’ve seen guys use them to mount bikes on truck tool racks.
angelpatricia
This is a very good idea. before I never thought to keep a bike like this. Thank you for having shared.
Jill T Cook
Would like to store our bikes in the under house storage at our beach house. The problem is that with the salt air everything rusts. Is there anyway to bag a bike or a hard plastic form fitted storage box available? Have thought about an air tight plat formed off storage area inside the storage area. Other wise we will still be carrying our bikes up and down 18 feet of stairs to use them.