With the UK Government promoting initiatives to help mitigate climate-change through sustainable development, secure bike storage can be considered integral to encouraging cycling uptake and establishing a focal point for sustainable travel methods.
Setting the standard for best practice in sustainable development is the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM). First established by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) in 1990, it aims to reduce the negative impacts of construction and development on the environment. Residential assessments can be applied to new construction and domestic refurbishment projects that provide multi-residential accommodation.
BREEAM Compliant Bike Storage
Most developments in the UK require a provision for bike parking, with planning decision notices for bike storage facilities typically comprising conditions for both the type and number of bike parking spaces required to pass.
Transportation is a key factor in BREEAM accreditation, and assessments take notice of how alternative modes of transportation that promote sustainable and eco-friendly practice are implemented. Bike storage is assessed in context with reference to its location and the intended user profile.
BREEAM V7 is currently in development and set for release in 2024. It will apply to New Construction, In-Use, and Refurbishment and Fit-Out schemes. The current criteria for bike storage to meet BREEAM compliance includes:
- A sufficient capacity of secure bike parking spaces covering all applicable users.
- The bike storage facility is protected from weather
- Bikes are secured within parking spaces and wheels are secured to the rack, floor or wall
- The racks and covered area are set in or fixed to a permanent structure
- There is enough space in the bike storage facility to make all bikes easily accessible
- The bike storage facility is installed in a prominent location that enables passive oversight
- Controlled lighting is available
With 9 credits available for the transport section, 2 are attributed to compliant bike storage facilities. 1 credit can be received for installing bike storage to meet BREEAM regulations, while an additional credit is on offer by introducing at least 2 of the following criteria:
- Showers (1 for every 10 bike parking spaces)
- Changing facilities and lockers
- Drying facilities for clothes
In regard to full BREEAM accreditation, secure bike storage facilities can contribute up to 1.77% of the total score.
urbanspec Bike Storage
With a product line that covers bike modules, lockers, bike stores, and hub buildings, urbanspec secure bike storage facilities combine volume manufacture with custom build capability. An integrated design and engineering methodology ensures site-wide design coordination and single-source procurement are achievable across sustainable developments.
Central to urbanspec product development, designs can be easily configured to be Secure By Design compliant or incorporated into planning applications to achieve BREEAM performance requirements, enabling bike storage facilities to be considered from the earliest stages of development.
A substantial resource and knowledge base enables urbanspec to simplify the specification process, utilising CAD models, NBS specifications and datasheets available for download. Supporting CPD programmes provide clarity on the optimal approach to aspects such as security considerations and effective space planning.
