The right bike rack depends on four factors: available space, required capacity, installation environment and the security compliance standard the project must meet.
Read our guide that covers this in detail, helping architects, developers and facilities managers reach a confident specification.
What Are the Main Types of Bike Racks Available?
There are eight bike rack types in our commercial range, grouped across three categories: two tier systems, vertical racks and e-bike specific racks. Each serves a different brief.
Two Tier Bike Racks
Two Tier Racks are the primary solution for high-density indoor cycle storage. Bikes are stored on two levels within the same footprint, doubling parking capacity without increasing the area required. They are the default specification for basement cycle stores in residential and commercial developments.
Two tier racks require a minimum ceiling height of approximately 2,500mm. The upper tier is raised and lowered by the user. For high-turnover environments – large office buildings, transport hubs, dense residential schemes – the gas-assisted two tier bike rack reduces the physical effort required to operate the upper tier significantly, improving daily uptake and widening accessibility across a broader range of users. Where e-bike use is anticipated, gas-assisted racks should be the default, as e-bikes are heavier than standard bikes.
Both variants are manufactured in Britain, hot-dipped galvanised to BS EN ISO 1461:2022 and BREEAM compliant.
Gas-Assisted Two Tier Bike Rack
Semi-Vertical Bike Racks
Semi-Vertical Bike Racks store bikes at an angle, with the front wheel elevated and the rear resting on the ground. They offer greater density than ground-fixed solutions offer while requiring less ceiling height than two-tier systems – typically 1,800 – 2,000m. They are well-suited to areas with lower ceilings, tighter footprints or where a two tier system is not practical.
The Secured by Design Semi-Vertical Bike Rack carriers Sold Secure Silver accreditation and Police Preferred Specification status for projects where independent security certification is required.
Powder-Coated Semi-Vertical Bike Rack
Vertical Bike Racks
The Premium Vertical Bike Rack is a design-led, high-capacity vertical storage solution for environments where aesthetics and performance are equally important. Bikes are stored upright, secured at both the front wheel and frame – a requirement for BREEAM Tra 03 compliance. Manufactured from heavy-duty 21.3mm CHS steel, hot-dipped galvanised to BS EN ISO 1461:2022 and powder-coated to any RAL colour, it is commonly specified in a contrasting finish to the wall against which it is fixed, making it a staple in high-specification End-of-Trip and premium cycle store fit-outs across apartment developments, office buildings, student accommodation and transport hubs.
Premium Vertical Bike Racks
Solo Vertical Bike Racks
The Premium Solo Vertical Bike Rack stores a single bike fully upright, secured by the front wheel. Available in both standard and premium finishes, it is a compact solution suited to accommodate tight spaces, individual bays and any environment where a dedicated, clearly defined space for one bicycle is required. The standard Solo Vertical Bike Rack is wall-mounted and suited to residential settings and small office cycle rooms. The Premium Solo Vertical combines the same compact footprint with a design-led finish, making it appropriate for luxury residential schemes, high-end commercial fit-outs and any project where individual, visually considered bike storage is part of the brief.
Solo Vertical Bike Racks
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Freestanding Vertical Bike Racks
The Premium Free Standing Vertical Bike Rack offers the same design quality and finish as the standard Premium Vertical without requiring wall fixings. It is fully freestanding, making it the correct specification where fixing to the wall or floor is restricted – such as listed buildings, leased commercial spaces and temporary or semi-permanent installations.
E-Bike Racks
E-bike ownership is growing rapidly across the UK. For new developments, specifying without a dedicated e-bike provision is increasingly short-sighted commercially, and in some local authority areas, no longer compliant.
BSC’s e-bike range includes both semi-vertical and two tier configurations, each with integrated 240V charging sockets providing secure storage and charging in a single unit. E-bikes are heavier than standard bicycles and require racks engineered to accommodate additional weight – standard racks are not appropriate for dedicated e-bike use.
Where a development anticipates significant e-bike users but does not require a dedicated charging provision, gas-assisted two tier racks are the recommended specification for upper-tier operation.
How Much Space Does Each Bike Rack Type Require?
Space is the primary constraint in most specifications.
- Two Tier Bike Racks: 375mm standard centre-to-centre spacing, requiring a minimum 2,000mm aisle clearance in front of the rack
- Semi-Vertical Bike Racks: typically 500 – 600mm centre-to-centre spacing depending on configuration, with a minimum 1,800mm aisle clearance
- Semi-Vertical Bike Racks require approximately 0.4 – 0.5m² per space
- Vertical Bike Racks: 350mm standard centre-to-centre spacing (305mm minimum on request), requiring 1,150mm clearance in front of the rack and a minimum 2,100mm ceiling height
The figures above are indicative rack footprints per space and should be used as a planning guide only – actual space requirements will vary depending on aisle configuration, ceiling height and installation layout.
For complimentary layout drawings to insert into architectural plans, check out our Downloads library.
How Many Bike Spaces Does Your Project Require?
Cycle parking provision is set by the relevant local planning authority and varies by location, development type and use class.
For London developments, London Plan Policy T5 sets minimum standards based on use class and gross internal area. A typical office development requires one long-stay space per 90m² of internal space for staff, plus short-stay visitor provision. On the other hand, residential developments require a minimum of one space per dwelling, rising in higher-density schemes.
Outside London, requirements are defined by local transport plans and the authority’s adopted parking standards document. LTN 1/20 provides national guidance on cycle parking quality, dimensions and design.
If you are uncertain what applies to your project, get in contact with us. We are working with planning consultants, architects and developers daily and can help ensure your specification meets local authority requirements from the first submission.
What Security Standard Do Your Bike Racks Need to Meet?
For standard commercial and residential installations, hot-dipped galvanised construction to BS EN ISO 1461:2022 satisfies most requirements. Where independent certification is required, such as projects subject to Secured by Design planning conditions, police authority briefs or client security specifications, our Secured by Design range covers semi-vertical racks and two tier racks, carrying Sold Secure Silver accreditation and Police Preferred Specification status. Each product has been independently tested against a defined tool set.
Do Your Bike Racks Need to Be BREEAM Compliant?
Our entire Bike Racks range contributes towards BREEAM Tra 03 sustainable transport credits when installed to LTN 1/20 dimensional and accessibility requirements. To achieve BREEAM credits, installations must include covered and secure provision for long-stay users, meet LTN 1/20 dimensional standards, and provide accessible ground-level spaces.
We can provide any product documentation and installation records required to support a BREEAM accreditation.
Indoor vs Outdoor Installation
The installation environment affects both product selection and finish specification.
For outdoor installations, hot-dipped galvanised finish to BS EN ISO 1461:2022 is the standard. Where a specific colour is required to complement the buildings’ palette, powder-coated finishes are available across the full range in any RAL colour. The Premium Vertical range is specifically suited to design-led external environments where a standard galvanised finish would detract from the scheme.
For indoor installations, galvanised finish is the correct specification for resistance to condensation and moisture. The same applies to covered external environments.
Get the Right Specification for Your Project
The right bike rack for any project depends on the space available, the number of spaces required, the security level needed and the installation environment. The Bike Storage Company offers complimentary site surveys and layout drawings for projects of any scale. Our in-house design team works from architectural drawings, confirms compliance with LTN 1/20 and BREEAM requirements and recommends the most appropriate products for your specific brief.
Contact us today to discuss your project or request a free layout drawing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Best Bike Rack for a Commercial Office Building?
For most commercial office buildings, two tier cycle racks are the recommended specification for internal cycle stores, offering the highest parking density within the available footprint. Gas-assisted two tier racks are recommended for high-use environments. For premium fit-outs or smaller rooms, the Premium Vertical Cycle Rack or Premium Solo Vertical Bike Rack may be more appropriate depending on the brief.
How Much Space Does a Bike Rack Require?
Space requirements vary by rack type and aisle configuration. Two tier racks are specified at 375mm standard centre-to-centre spacing with a minimum 2,000mm aisle clearance. Semi-vertical racks are typically 500–600mm centre-to-centre with a minimum 1,800mm aisle clearance. The Premium Vertical Cycle Rack is specified at 350mm standard centres (305mm minimum on request) with 1,150mm clearance in front. The Bike Storage Company provides complimentary layout drawings for all projects to confirm exact space requirements.
Do Bike Racks Need to be Secured by Design?
Not in all cases. Secured by Design accreditation is required where it is a condition of planning consent or a client security requirement. Where it is not specified, standard galvanised two tier and semi-vertical racks satisfy most commercial specifications. The Bike Storage Company’s Secured by Design range is available for projects where independent certification is required.
What Ceiling Height is Required for a Two Tier Bike Rack?
Two tier cycle racks require a minimum ceiling height of approximately 2,500mm. For lower-ceiling environments, semi-vertical racks are the recommended alternative, requiring approximately 1,800–2,000mm.
Are Bike Racks BREEAM Compliant?
All The Bike Storage Company bike racks are manufactured in Britain and are BREEAM compliant, contributing towards Tra 03 sustainable transport credits when installed to LTN 1/20 dimensional and accessibility requirements.
What is the Difference Between a Two Tier Bike Rack & a Semi-Vertical Bike Rack?
A two tier rack stores bikes on two stacked levels within the same floor footprint, maximising density in high-ceiling environments. A semi-vertical rack stores bikes at an angle on a single level, requiring less ceiling height while still offering greater density than ground-level provision. Two tier racks are the default for basement stores with standard ceiling heights; semi-vertical racks are the preferred alternative where ceiling height is a constraint.
Which Bike Rack is Best for E-Bikes?
For dedicated e-bike storage with charging, The Bike Storage Company’s e-bike semi-vertical and e-bike two tier racks include integrated 240V charging sockets. Where charging is not required but e-bikes will be stored, gas-assisted two tier racks are recommended to accommodate the additional weight of electric bicycles on the upper tier.
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