Best secure bike shed for cargo bikes

[pdxamelia]

Hello, I've been struggling with this question for the past few years, but I need to solve it. I have a cargo bike with a kids seat (a Bike Friday Haul-A-Day Elite with a toddler seat on the back, and we LOVE the bike — lightest longtail cargo bike on the market), and for the past 1.5 years, we’ve been carrying it up and downstairs to our basement every day. As we add more to it (like, the front basket), it gets heavier and more precarious/dangerous dragging it up and down the 15 stairs to our basement. It isn’t a great long term solution, but we’re currently stuck on what the best, most cost effective solution is for our situation.

We’ve looked at Tuff Sheds, Shipping Containers, and the CycleHoop BikeHanger. We have a flat space where we can put something in our backyard, but bike theft is prevalent in our area and we hope to one day buy ebikes (long tails or bakfiets, who knows!) to fully replace our car. We’d love to build a ADU with a garage or something nicer, but we don’t have extra cash laying around for the nicest, best long term option.

Tuff sheds look relatively nice and could store a lot of bikes but they are easily broken into. Shipping containers are very sturdy and probably the safest option to protect against bike theft, but they are hideous and what happens in 15-20 years when we want to get rid of it? And, the Bike Hangar is a great option, but since it isn’t sealed up, I have concerns about someone taking their tools to one in our neighborhood. Will the bikes rust in it and if we get ebikes, will the moisture affect their electronics? And, is it the most cost effective option for our backyard?

I’ve also looked into Asgard bike sheds, but as far as I can tell, they are only sold in the UK (maybe the EU, too). Those look like the best, safest, sturdiest option and I can’t really find anything comparable here in the NW.

We’ve also thought about putting a ramp down to our basement, but that would also be cost prohibitive, as far as I can tell. We used to store our bikes in our living room, so we aren’t opposed to living with them, but with a toddler (and stairs to get up the front steps), it would be best if they were out of reach from daily life. Between the three of us, and folks visiting us via bike, we really need something that’s safe, secure, and doesn’t involve us carrying it up and down stairs risking slipping and breaking something.

From the research I’ve done, sheds range from $3k-$10k, shipping containers are $3500 plus delivery, and CycleHoop Bike Hangars are $5500 plus freight. Does anyone have recommendations for a sturdy bike shed that works in a high bike theft neighborhood that will hold a couple cargo bikes in a wet climate? What would you recommend and why?

 

[Christian]

There are solutions for securing motorbikes that would probably just as well work for cargo bikes. They are just anchors in the ground. If you already have concrete or similar in that flat place, you could use an option where you just drill holes to install the anchor. If you are planning to pour concrete, you could go for an option where you install it when the concrete gets poured. There are also ground anchors specifically market towards ebikes.

This way you would be able to just have something like an open shed or carport. If you use a closed shed, people might just break into it and then trash the place.

Pair it with motion activated lights and maybe a security camera for extra deterrence.

 

[rik]

I’ve been researching this for several years and haven’t found an affordable (under $3k) solution.

Building a shed seems to be the most reasonable approach if you make it as secure as possible (lock the bike inside to a ground mount and lock the door to the shed).

Local zoning codes often restrict storage units in residential districts, so it can be confusing and full of red tape (here a shed needs both historic and zoning approvals, which require applications, plans, fees, and public hearings).

Some folks in the Boston, MA area have been using bike racks set in 5 gallon buckets full of concrete and multiple locks to secure their bikes outdoors - and cover them with motorcycle-style covers for weather protection.

I’ve looked at buying an old panel van and storing bikes in that, but there are potential recurring costs of car insurance and registration if those are required in your location. (You don’t typically need planning permission to park a van that you use as a storage unit.)

Charging is also an issue with any storage scheme if your bike doesn’t have a removable battery.

I’d love to hear more from other folks who have investigated these bike storage challenges.

 

[nathanomaly]

I keep most of my bikes in a resin shed behind my rowhome in Philadelphia with an abus lock on the door. The main theft deterrent there is just getting them out of sight, since a motivated thief could cut through the plastic pretty easily. I've insured my most expensive bikes and having them in the locked garden shed does meet the requirements for having the replacement covered in case of theft.

Ultimately, I think you are going to prevent 95% of thefts just by getting the bike some combination of (1) hidden (e.g. in a shed or garage or even just under a motorcycle cover, (2) on your property (so it would require trespassing to steal which would present additional risk to the prospective thief) and (3) stowed so that it would require power tools to remove (e.g. inside a secure garage or heavy-duty locked to an immovable object).

The remaining 5% are where you either decide to buy insurance or budget for the cost of replacing the bike in the unlikely event it is needed. We use Sunday Bike Insurance. Another popular option is Velosurance. You can also check your homeowner's or renter's insurance policy to see what it covers. It probably isn't as much as a dedicated bike insurance plan but could save you money in the long run if you think the risk of theft is fairly minimal.

The important thing is to grab the low-hanging fruit of securing your bike, but to otherwise not let the fear of bad actors ruin your ability to live your life!