When specifying cycle storage for a commercial, residential or public sector development, accreditations are not optional extras. They are the framework through which planning authorities assess compliance, sustainability consultants verify BREEAM credits and security professionals validate product performance. Understanding which accreditations apply, what they require and how they interact is essential for any specifier working on a scheme where cycle provision forms part of the planning or sustainability brief.
This guide covers the three accreditation frameworks most relevant to commercial cycle storage specification in the UK: BREEAM, Secured by Design and Sold Secure.
BREEAM
BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) is the world’s leading sustainability assessment method for buildings. For specifiers, the two most relevant transport credits are Tra 01 and Tra 03, both of which directly reference cycle storage provision.
Tra 01 assesses sustainable transport, with credits awarded based on proximity to public transport and the provision of infrastructure that encourages active travel. Tra 03 specifically addresses cyclist facilities, covering the number of cycle spaces provided, the quality of those spaces and the availability of end-of-trip facilities including changing rooms, showers and secure storage.
To achieve credits under Tra 03, cycle storage must meet minimum quantity thresholds relative to building occupancy, be secure and weather-protected, and in many cases be located within a defined distance of the building entrance. The specific requirements vary by building type and target rating. BREEAM Excellent and Outstanding ratings require higher provision levels and, in most cases, covered and secured storage rather than open racks.
For specifiers, the practical implication is that product selection matters. Open Sheffield stands will not satisfy Tra 03 requirements where covered storage is specified. Two-tier and semi-vertical racks within a secure shelter, or individual cycle lockers, are typically required to achieve the higher credit thresholds. British-made products with documented specifications simplify the evidence submission process for BREEAM assessors.
Secured by Design
Secured by Design (SBD) is the official UK police security initiative, operated by Police CPI on behalf of the UK Police Service. Products that carry SBD accreditation have been independently tested and certified to meet specific security standards, and their use is increasingly referenced in planning conditions, particularly on residential and mixed-use developments.
SBD accreditation for cycle storage is awarded under the Police Preferred Specification, which requires products to meet defined resistance standards against physical attack. For cycle shelters and enclosures, this means the structure, locking mechanisms and access control must all meet the relevant performance criteria.
The planning significance of SBD is growing. Many local planning authorities now include SBD compliance as a condition or recommendation in their design and access guidance, particularly for residential developments in higher crime risk areas. On schemes where a Secured by Design Development award is being pursued, SBD-accredited cycle storage is a direct requirement.
For specifiers, selecting SBD-accredited products removes ambiguity at planning stage and provides a defensible, independently verified security specification that satisfies both planning officers and security consultants.
Sold Secure
Sold Secure is an independent product security testing organisation that assesses products against standardised attack resistance criteria. Its ratings – Bronze, Silver, Gold and Diamond – reflect increasing levels of resistance to physical attack, and its certifications are recognised by insurers, local authorities and procurement bodies across the UK.
For commercial cycle storage, Sold Secure’s SS104 standard is the relevant framework. Products tested under SS104 are assessed for resistance to cutting, drilling and physical manipulation, with Diamond representing the highest level of protection. Sold Secure certification is increasingly specified by facilities managers and public sector procurement teams as a baseline security requirement, and some insurance policies reference Sold Secure ratings when assessing risk.
The distinction between Sold Secure and Secured by Design is worth understanding clearly. Sold Secure is a product-level certification focused purely on attack resistance. Secured by Design is a broader scheme covering design, layout and product performance within a development context. The two are complementary rather than interchangeable, and on high-security schemes both are typically required.
BSC currently manufactures four products carrying Sold Secure certification. See the links below to view the full specifications for each.
How the Three Frameworks Interact
In practice, the most demanding specifications will require all three. A residential development pursuing BREEAM Excellent will need cycle storage that satisfies Tra 03 quantity and quality thresholds, carries SBD accreditation to satisfy planning conditions, and meets Sold Secure standards to satisfy insurers and residents.
Selecting products that hold all three accreditations at the outset eliminates the risk of substitution requests at planning stage and provides a complete evidential trail for sustainability assessors, planning officers and building control.
When reviewing cycle storage options, specifiers should request documentary evidence of each accreditation directly from the manufacturer, confirm that the specific product variant specified (not just the product range) holds the relevant certification, and verify that certifications are current and not lapsed
Working With Us
The Bike Storage Company manufactures a range of British-made cycle storage products carrying BREEAM-compliant specifications, Secured by Design accreditation and Sold Secure certification. For specification support, CAD files or product documentation, contact the team directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Main Accreditations for Cycle Storage in the UK?
The three principal accreditation frameworks for commercial cycle storage specification in the UK are: BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method), which covers sustainability performance and awards credits for compliant cycle parking provision under Tra 03; Secured by Design (SBD), the official UK police security initiative operated by Police CPI, which certifies products meeting the Police Preferred Specification; and Sold Secure, an independent product security testing organisation that assesses attack resistance under the SS104 standard and awards Bronze, Silver, Gold and Diamond ratings. All three are recognised by planning authorities, sustainability consultants and security professionals.
What Is the Difference Between Secured by Design and Sold Secure?
Sold Secure is a product-level certification focused purely on attack resistance. Products are tested against a defined set of tools under the SS104 standard and rated Bronze, Silver, Gold or Diamond based on their level of resistance. Secured by Design is a broader police-backed scheme covering product performance within a development context — products must achieve Sold Secure certification to carry Secured by Design status, but SBD also encompasses design, layout and planning compliance considerations. The two are complementary rather than interchangeable; on high-security schemes, both are typically required.
What Does BREEAM Tra 03 Require for Cycle Storage?
BREEAM Tra 03 (Cyclist Facilities) awards credits based on the quantity and quality of cycle parking provided relative to building occupancy. To achieve credits, installations must meet minimum space thresholds, be secure and weather-protected, be located within a defined distance of the building entrance, and in many cases include end-of-trip facilities such as showers, changing rooms and lockers. BREEAM Excellent and Outstanding ratings require higher provision levels and covered, secured storage. British-made products with documented specifications simplify the evidence submission process for BREEAM assessors.
When Is Secured by Design Accreditation Required for Cycle Storage?
Secured by Design accreditation for cycle storage is required when: a local planning authority includes SBD compliance as a planning condition, which is increasingly common on residential developments in higher crime risk areas; a Secured by Design Development award is being pursued for the wider scheme; or a client security brief specifies independently certified attack resistance. Many local authorities across the UK now reference SBD in design and access guidance for new residential development. Selecting SBD-accredited products removes ambiguity at planning stage and provides a defensible, independently verified security specification.
Can a Single Cycle Storage Product Hold BREEAM, Secured by Design and Sold Secure Accreditation?
Yes. The most demanding specifications require all three, and selecting products that hold all three accreditations at the outset eliminates the risk of substitution requests at planning stage. The Bike Storage Company manufactures cycle storage products carrying BREEAM-compliant specifications, Secured by Design accreditation and Sold Secure certification. When reviewing products, specifiers should request documentary evidence of each accreditation directly from the manufacturer, confirm that the specific product variant specified holds the relevant certification (not just the range), and verify that certifications are current.
