Bikes save an awful lot of space on the road, but it’s hard to keep that in mind when you’re trying to cohabit with them! Leaving your bikes propped up against walls is an accident waiting to happen and for those without a large shed or garage, life can feel like a turf war between humans and bikes.
Fortunately, cyclists through the ages have come up with clever and crafty ideas of their own to make living with bikes far more enjoyable. There are also plenty of companies specialising in the storage of bikes, which can tailor products to your needs.
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Bicycle storage solutions
If your main concern is simply keeping your bike from toppling over (particularly important if you have young children around) then it’s fairly easy to make a basic bike stand using ordinary PVC pipes from a DIY store. The instructions here will show you how to fit the pipes together.
If space is more of an issue, however, you’ll want something that actually lifts the bikes off the floor. There’s a wonderful ‘IKEA hack‘(above) gaining popularity among the craft community at the moment which uses a variable length pole from the store’s Stolmen system to create a sturdy vertical rack. Instructions on how to make one of your own are here.
Cycloc
If you’re looking to spend a bit of money on making your home thoroughly bike-friendly, Cycloc (above) makes some stylish and innovative bits of bike storage kit, including wall-mounting racks and stands. All of its products come in a range of cool, contemporary colours, so you should be able to find one that’ll blend in with your living space.
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Bicycle Sheds
For cyclists who don’t want bikes in the house at all, there are plenty of outdoor solutions, even with very limited space to play with. Specially designed wooden bike sheds can be bought for around £150, while weatherproof bike tents are available at around £50. There’s a good selection of outdoor storage solutions here.
Main image: uitdragerij
Recommended reading:
Five of the prettiest bicycle baskets
Six cool saddle bags and panniers
