No space to store your bicycle?

For most cyclists and commuters, one of the main concerns isn’t about the morning traffic issues, flat tyres or showeringat work, it’s the daily dilemma about where to store your cycle safely when you are not riding it.  And if you live in an apartment or block of flats, then you may be struggling with a suitable storage space for your bicycle and equipment.

 

So how do you store your bike indoors if you have limited space?

To help cyclists solve this problem, you may have already come across a number of creative bike storage solutions that allow for indoor bike storage and they do not take up much room.

•  The Ceiling Mount Bike Hoist

The ceiling area of a room is something that is seldom used if ever so why not transform it with a hanging bike feature? 

Eric liked hanging out with his bike.

 A ceiling mount bike hoist operate with a pulley system so that with minimal effort a bike can be attached at close to ground level and them very simply hoisted up and out of the way when not in use – but you may have to crawl around to avoid head injury!  And don’t forget, some flats or apartment regulations may prevent you from drilling holes on walls or ceilings. 

 • Door / Wall Mount Bike Rack

There are some bike racks designed for indoor use that take up no floor space, such as a door or a wall mountable bike rack.

Eric though he heard someone knock...

 

You wont be tripping over your bike anymore but you cant really open your doors either!

But as convenient as bicycles may be, they are quite bulky and not designed to be on show in your living room!  In addition to that, don’t forget that bringing your muddy bike inside your hallway or room can also be quite messy and can damage your carpet and interiors -  which probably wont be well received by your family!

Eric was a big fan of dirt biking.

We recommend a secure metal bicycle storage unit suitable for apartments and flats, such as the Twin Bike Locker from Asgard.

Eric thought the 'Twin Bike Storage Unit' was the perfect way of storing two bikes securely in a discreet manner.

Designed as a space saving storage unit, this 2 bike store is ideal for areas where space is restricted but bike security is important.  Unlike other bike stores the Twin Bike Locker is accessed from the end so the width of the unit is kept to a minimum – ideal for use down the side of a house or flat.

An outdoor storage solution for your bicycle and equipment frees your home from clutter and dirt bought in with your bike.  You will also find that by storing your bike inside a secure storage unit, it will have fewer maintenance problems, last longer and will operate more efficiently so you and your bike can live happily ever after!

Cycle to a better lifestyle

Everybody is feeling a little podgy after Christmas… Everybody is guilty of having one too many Mince Pies.  So now the guilt has set in what is the best way to shift those extra pounds??  The gym is traditionally the most popular option in January, however with annual membership costs at £500 plus per year, that’s a lot of money – particularly if like most you go for a week or so and then give up.

Cycling is now one of the most popualr of exercise forms around.. Why??? Because it’s free of course!  In fact you can actually make money if you give up the car a few days a week and cycle to work.
Cycling is the third most popular recreational activity in the UK. An estimated 3.1 million people ride a bicycle each month.

As a form of exercise, cycling has broad appeal. Toddlers, pensioners, able-bodied or disabled people can all enjoy cycling if they have the right equipment. For cycling tips for beginners and how to stay motivated, read the getting started guide to cycling.

Cycling is one of the easiest ways to fit exercise into your daily routine because it’s also a form of transport. That means it saves you money, gets you fit and contributes to a cleaner environment.
It’s a low-impact type of exercise, so it’s easier on your joints than running or other high-impact aerobic activities. But it still helps you get into shape.

For example, someone who weighs 80kg (12.6 stones) will burn more than 650 calories with an hour’s riding, and tone their legs and bottom. If you ride up hills or off-road, you’ll also work your upper body.
The best way to build your cardiovascular fitness on the bike is to consistently ride twice during the week, then do a longer ride at the weekend. You’ll soon feel the benefits.

Lose weight and have fun with your friends!

 

 “For example, someone who weighs 80kg (12.6 stones) will burn more than 650 calories with an hour’s riding, and tone their legs and bottom. If you ride up hills or off-road, you’ll also work your upper body”.

Cycling calendar

British Cycling’s recreation and travel sections offer information and hints on everything you need to enjoy cycling, whether you’re a commuter, mountain biker, ultra-fit road rider or first-time cyclist.
The site includes a national leisure cycling calendar, which lists everything from charity events to multi-day challenges, plus advice on training, maintenance and improving fitness.

It has suggested routes for you to ride in your area, and a function where you can map where you’ve ridden, log the miles you’ve travelled, and rank yourself against other riders.  You could join a club in your area and go on organised bike rides. To find a club, see the British Cycling website.

If you want to turn your hobby into something more competitive, there are around 2,500 races registered with British Cycling each year. There are all sorts of bike races to chose from. Visit the British Cycling recreation section to find a race near you that you can watch or take part in. 

Safety tips

• Look behind you before you turn, overtake or stop.
• Use arm signals before you turn right or left.
• Obey traffic lights and road signs.
• Don’t ride on the pavement unless there’s a sign that says you can.
• On busy or narrow roads don’t cycle next to another person.
• When overtaking parked cars, watch out for car doors opening suddenly, and allow room to pass safely.
• Don’t use headphones while cycling.
• Never use a mobile phone while cycling.

For more on road safety for cyclists, read Cycling: know the risks.

Kit checklist

1. Wearing a cycling helmet will significantly reduce your risk of serious head injury in an accident. For a proper fit, the helmet should fit snugly and shouldn’t allow any sideways movement.
2. Before you ride, check that you have the right kit, and that your bike is in good working order.
3. Make sure your tyres are pumped up. Test your brakes before you get on the road.
4. Check that your saddle is at the correct riding position for your height. If your saddle is too low, it will make it more difficult for you to pedal and you’ll get tired more quickly.
5. To get the right height, adjust the saddle until you can stretch your leg out and place the ball of your foot on the ground. This means that when your pedal is at its lowest position, your leg should be slightly bent. If your leg is completely straight when your pedal is at the lowest position, your saddle is too high.
6. If you’re cycling after dark, it’s important that you can be seen by other road users. Wear reflective clothing and make sure the lights on the front and back of your bike are both working. Use your lights when visibility is low, such as in bad weather. 
7. Try and group together with colleagues at work and ride as a group.  This is safer and you can chat about issues of the day and/or vent your anger at the days events – reducing stress and building comradery between work mates.
8. If you can’t cycle as a group, why not join a local club? Just get onto google and type bike club and your area.  No matter where you live there are hundereds up and down the country – there will be one.  It’s a great way to meet people from all sorts of backgrounds – people you would never normally meet.
9. For bike routes go to your local tourist information, try the sustrains website or www.bikeradar.com for routes discovered and upoaded by local riders.
10. Plan you own routes using http://bikeroutetoaster.com/

Cycle To Work

For advice on buying and looking after cycling equipment and correct riding positions, go to Bike4Life or speak to the staff at your local bike shop
Get some decent bike security.  The more you ride the more important the bike will become to you, so if it’s stolen the inconvenience will be horrendus.  For Bike Security and bike storage advice try www.asgardsss.co.uk

Source: Information courtesy of www.nhs.uk

Confused about cycle security?

Asgard are the UK leaders in bike storage – Offering secure bike storage solutions for 1, 2, 3 or 4 bikes depending on your needs.

All Asgard bike storage units are made from tough, weather proof steel featuring either padlocks, 3 or 5 point locking systems.  All of our units can be self built and come with a comprehensive 10 year warranty.
Compare the 3 most popular bike storage products here.

Single Bike Storage
The Bike locker stores a single bike in a small foot print.  Internally our single bike locker features a guide rail to hold you bike upright inside (you can also add an extra lock).  In this unit you will also find a convenient steel hook, ideal for hanging bags and helmets.  Outside this unit is locked using a reinforced hasp and staple system for you own padlock.  Making this popular as a shared access unit in communal areas or in the work place, with each user having their own padlock.

Confused about bike storage??

Twin Bike Storage
Out twin bike locker is increasing popular for urban commuters.  Designed for two bikes this unit features a tough, pick resistant, Euro cyclinder, 3 point locking system for maximum security.  Again the twin bike locker comes complete with hooks for storing helmets and backpacks inside the unit with your bikes.

Three Bike Storage
The Addition was our original bike store.  Fitted with a tough Pick resistant 3 point locking system, the Addition boasts large double door access, which can be handed to suit your location.  As with all our enclosed units, the Addition features hidden air vents allowing air to flow inside the unit keeping condensation to a minimum and your equipment dry.  Shelf and hook packs are available to store helmets and back packs in with your bikes.

Four Bike Storage
The Access is designed to take up to 4 bikes.  The Access bike store not only has large double door access at the front, but also a large lift up lid.  This gas assisted lid gives clear access to your bikes and equipment.  The Access includes 2 level 8 rated padlocks and locking bars, to ensure maximum security for your bikes and equipment. Shelf and hook packs are available to store helmets and back packs in with your bikes. As with all our enclosed units, the Access features hidden air vents allowing air to flow inside the unit keeping condensation to a minimum and your equipment dry.

Maximum Insurance Approved Bike Storage.
The Annexe bike store will hold up to three bikes. This bike storage unit looks just like the super secure Addition bike store from the outside, but inside we have really beefed up the security.  With extra reinforcing bars, additional shoot bolts (taking it up to 5 point locking) and reinforced panels this unit has achieved a level 1 rating from the Loss Prevention Board – This can reduce your cycle insurance premiums by up to 15%

 

Compare the 3 most popular bike storage products from Asgard on YouTube!

Watch the Asgard Access Bike Store in Action!

Check out the Asgard Access Bike Shed in this short animated clip – So much more than just a bike storage shed, the Access Cycle shed provides peace of mind for all your bike security and storage needs.
This high security bike store has been a hit with all the top cycling magazines, including Bike Radar Magazine who approved of the “excellent attack-proof design” and gave it a whopping 4.5* out of 5, with Cycling Plus Magazine also impressed, rating it 9* out of 10 for its design and construction!

The Access all-metal bike storage shed is a generously proportioned bike storage solution for up to 4* road or mountain bikes.  Fitted with two external shrouded locking points and an integral locking bar, this stylish and compact bike shed is an exceptionally secure and versatile storage unit. 

Maximum Bicycle Security
Get two free quality disc locks  and free UK Mainland delivery* when you place your oder.   Visit www.asgardsss.co.uk for more information.

The Asgard Access Bike Storage system – This simple animation shows you this excellent UK best seller in action!

 

Descent World Magazine say “We wouldn’t hesitate in recommending for keeping your pride and joy inside” – Do you agree? Leave your comments and feedback below.

Cycle Ownership in the UK continues to rise

The ownership and use of cycles have risen dramatically in the UK over the last few years. As we become more aware of the environmental impacts that cars have on the environment, the benefits of regular exercise and the costs of operating a car, more people are now using cycles to combat those very problems.

Cycling Is The Growth Area For 2010

Using a cycle clearly creates less pollution, greenhouse gases and depletes the finite resources far less than a car. Cycling is an excellent way to exercise and causes less damage to the body than jogging for instance (which often damages your knees leading to long term health issues), whilst the maintenance costs associated with a cycle is a fraction of that of owning a car.

However many people do overlook the need for specialist cycle storage - such as an Asgard Bike Shed.

Cycles are relatively easy to steal and resell if you don’t believe us try looking at some of the excellent online bike forums out there.  Almost all have a stolen bike section – where you can post serial numbers of missing bikes in the hope they may find their way back to you.  Latest Home Office figures report an increase in bike thefts.  We are currently experiencing a cycle crime wave with a staggering 220 bikes stolen every single day in the UK.

Remember your bike doesn’t have the security devices that cars and vans have. So you must have a bike lock when you are out and about.  Also consider where you are leaving your bike at home – don’t just leave it in the garden, think about getting a dedicated bike storage unit or consider a dedicated cycle insurance policy.

Your Bike - Lock It Or Lose It

There are now over 23 million cycles in the UK and only a fraction will be covered by specialist cycle insurance.  So don't be a victim - make sure your covered with an Asgard Bike Shed.

The Battle Against Cycle Theft Continues....

As we can see, it doesn’t matter if you live in a big city or a rural village.  Cycle theft is rapidly becoming one the most common crimes in the UK.  It is beoming more important to invest in a good quality bike storage unit.

Look Out For Cycle Theft

Northallerton cycle thefts -
Information sought Police in Northallerton are advising locals to ensure their pedal cycles are securely locked when at home. This follows the theft of bikes between Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 October from addresses on Ashlands Close and Bankhead Road. Among the bikes stolen were three children’s cycles, a girl’s pink BMX, a girl’s silver cycle with white tyres and beads hanging from the handlebars and a child’s JCB bike with stabilizers and pedals on the front wheels. Also stolen, from a second address, were two adult mountain bikes, one black and one green.

“The stolen bikes had been left in the front gardens of the houses.”

The stolen bikes had been left in the front gardens of the houses. PC Jim Egan, of the Northallerton Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “Any theft is a disgrace but even more so when the items stolen clearly belong to children. “If anyone knows who stole the bikes or where they are now I ask them to contact me immediately.
“I ask that homeowners take a few minutes to ensure that pedal cycles are either securely locked or better still kept out of sight of potential thieves.” Below are some practical and simple steps you can take to avoid becoming a victim of crime: •Keep property locked securely in a shed or outbuilding •

“I ask that homeowners take a few minutes to ensure that pedal cycles are either securely locked or better still kept out of sight of potential thieves.”

• If you do not have a shed or outbuilding, secure property with a strong chain firmly locked to a wall or other solid fixture
• Register the property, free of charge, on www.immobilise.com
• Make sure the area is covered by dusk until dawn security lighting.
• We recommend Asgard bike storage : UK leaders in secure bike storage.

Cycle Theft – Yorskhire Evening Post – Nov 2010

A family’s joy at having their daughter’s custom-built trike recovered by police has been ruined – by the theft of their three remaining bikes Published Date: 19 November 2010

By Bruce Smith – Yorkshire Evening Post

A family’s joy at having their daughter’s custom-built trike recovered by police has been ruined – by the theft of their three remaining bikes.

Just hours before hearing that her 13-year-old Coral’s vital three-wheel trike had been found, Vicky Shepherd and her partner Kier found the cycles belonging to him, Coral’s brother Joshua and stepbrother Evan stolen from the garden shed at their home in West Park, Leeds.
Now the family dare not collect the trike, vital to help Coral overcome balance problems caused by a brain tumour, until totally secure accommodation can be found for it.

Though the £600 charity-funded trike, found in woods near the West Park Centre, is still useable, a pearl blue bike belonging to Coral’s stepsister Angel and also stolen on Monday evening is still missing.

“As they came out, they were met with the sight of the shed lock forced, the door wide open and camping equipment scattered all over the lawn”.

The family discovered the break-in on Thursday morning as the children
were about to set off for school.

Unlike Coral’s bike, which had been chained to Angel’s outside because it was too large to go in the shed, the black mountain bike belonging to Kier, Joshua’s silver Reebok cycle and Evan’s new four-week-old Reef mountain bike were stored inside.

Get A Decent Bike Storage Unit

As they came out, they were met with the sight of the shed lock forced, the door wide open and camping equipment scattered all over the lawn.
They were horrified to find the three bikes worth more than £250 had vanished.
“We just cannot believe it has happened again. All the children were in tears,” said Mrs Shepherd.
The custom-built trike had helped Coral begin to enjoy life again after undergoing life-saving surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
But now she can’t go out biking with her family and the trike will be retained by Weetwood Police until safe storage for it can be found.

A spokesman for North West Police confirmed they were investigating the latest thefts and appealed for anyone with information to ring them on 0113 205 3025.

Do you have a bike shed? If not check out  Asgard Secure Bike Storage