At Riverside Court in Oxford, we were commissioned to design, manufacture, and install a cycle storage and waste management solution that balanced durability, security, and visual consistency. The project, required a robust yet refined approach to accommodate both high-capacity Bespoke Cycle Parking and practical Bin Storage within a residential setting.
The brief called for a large-scale cycle shelter alongside two separate bin storage units, all unified through consistent materials, finishes, and thoughtful detailing. Measuring 8350mm in length, 2300mm in width, and 2150mm in height, the shelter provides secure, weather-protected storage for up to 26 bicycles. The structure features a steel framework with galvanised roof sheets and flashings, all powder coated in Black RAL 9005 for a clean, modern appearance and long-term resilience against the elements. The front and rear elevations are clad in pressure-treated brown PAR timber, offering a natural finish.
The shelter has galvanised mesh sides and a mesh gate system with a self-closing mechanism. A double-sided combination latch lock ensures ease of access for users while maintaining security and latch protectors add an extra layer of durability and tamper resistance. 26 Semi-Vertical Galvanised Cycle Racks were installed internally, each designed with a 3 point locking system to maximise security while optimising space efficiency.
Complementing the cycle shelter are two bespoke bin storage units, each tailored to different spatial and functional requirements within the site. The first Bin Store measures 3600mm by 3810mm with a height of 2100mm. Constructed with surface-mounted galvanised posts connected by crossbars, it is fully clad in the same pressure-treated brown timber using a hit-and-miss arrangement. This unit includes a roof with galvanised sheets and flashings, all finished in Black RAL 9005 to match the cycle shelter. Access is provided via 2000mm mesh-clad doors fitted with a drop bolt mechanism and heavy-duty automatic gate latches, ensuring both practicality and secure containment of waste bins.
The second Bin Store was designed as a more open structure, measuring 4550mm by 2600mm with a height of 1500mm and incorporating 300mm infill panels. Built using over-ground fixed galvanised posts and crossbars, this unit is similarly clad in brown treated timber in a hit-and-miss style but intentionally designed without a roof to suit its specific location and use.
This project at Riverside Court demonstrates how practical infrastructure such as cycle and bin storage can be elevated through careful design, material selection, and attention to detail. The finished installation not only meets functional requirements but also enhances the overall appearance and usability of the space for residents.
What Shop Fires Are Teaching Us About Modern Fire Risks
In retail, fire risk rarely announces itself. It does not arrive with sirens or warning signs, it begins quietly. A charger left plugged in, a device placed on a counter, a battery reaching the end of its life cycle. On the surface, nothing out of the ordinary. Yet recent events, including widely shared footage from a Glasgow city centre fire, have highlighted just how quickly a seemingly minor incident can escalate into something far more serious.
At the centre of that incident was a factor now common across high streets everywhere, lithium batteries. Over the past decade, lithium batteries have become embedded in the day to day operations of retail environments. From vape products and cordless tools to e-bikes, scooters and mobility aids, they’re now part of infrastructure and services many shops rely on.
For fire prevention, it is essential to store lithium products in dedicated fire safe units due to the unique way these batteries fail. When a lithium battery enters thermal runaway, it can generate intense heat, flames and gases independently, allowing a fire to escalate rapidly and unpredictably, early footage of the Glasgow fire incident shows exactly this. Even when a fire appears to have been suppressed, it can reignite unexpectedly, sometimes minutes or even hours later. For firefighters, this presents a complex challenge.
Storing lithium powered items within a fire rated unit introduces a critical layer of control. The purpose is not only to protect contents from external fire, but to contain an internal failure at source. By isolating lithium batteries within a fire resistant enclosure, the impact of a single battery failure can be confined, preventing escalation into a wider incident.
Fire safety rated lockers are designed for initial fire prevention. Acting as a fire containment unit, these safes can withstand and contain fire for up to 90 minutes, preventing heat and flames from affecting the surrounding environment during that period. This containment window is a key advantage, providing sufficient time for emergency services to be alerted and attend the scene before the fire can spread beyond the unit. As a result, what could develop into a significant shop fire can instead be managed as a controlled incident, reducing damage, protecting property and significantly improving overall safety outcomes.
A professionally conducted fire risk assessment should now go beyond identifying ignition sources. It should consider how modern risks, including lithium batteries, interact with the physical layout of the premises, how they are managed operationally and how assets are protected in a worst case scenario.
The reality is that shop fires are no longer defined solely by traditional hazards. As technology evolves, so should the approach to safety. The Glasgow incident is not an isolated incident, it is part of a broader pattern across the retail sector.
Delivering practical, durable and visually appealing cycling infrastructure requires efficient on-site execution. This project involved the supply, assembly and installation of a 16-space Canal Curve Sycle Shelter, designed to provide secure, weather-protected bicycle storage while complementing its surrounding environment.
The specified structure measured 6100mm in width, 2100mm in depth, and 2100mm in height, offering a compact yet highly functional footprint. Constructed from galvanised steel and finished with a black powder coating (RAL 9005), the frame is designed to withstand long-term exposure to the elements while maintaining a clean appearance. The choice of finish not only enhances durability but also ensures the shelter integrates seamlessly into both urban and landscaped settings.
Clad with clear PETG panels along the rear and sides, the shelter provides effective protection from wind and rain without compromising visibility or light transmission. The transparent finish enhances user safety by maintaining clear sight lines, which is an important consideration in public environments. A key feature of this installation was the inclusion of two sets of galvanised double swing gates. These gates were fitted with digital combination locking mechanisms, providing a secure yet accessible solution for controlled cycle storage. Careful attention was given to the alignment and operation of these gates during installation, ensuring smooth functionality and reliable locking performance.
Internally, the shelter was fitted with 8 Sheffield Cycle Stands, accommodating up to sixteen bicycles. These stands were positioned and installed with precision to maximise space efficiency while allowing ease of use for cyclists. The Sheffield stand design was selected for its robustness, simplicity, making it an ideal choice for high-traffic cycle parking.
This project highlights the importance of combining high-quality materials with specialist installation. From structural assembly to final detailing, every stage was executed with precision, delivering a reliable cycle storage solution built to perform over the long term.
For years, conversations around cycling uptake have focused on infrastructure, government policy, and individual motivation. While these are all important, one influence is often underestimated, the workplace. Where we work, how we work and accessibility quietly shape whether cycling feels realistic, convenient, or even possible.
For many people, the decision to cycle isn’t just about owning a bike or wanting to be more active. It’s about whether their daily routine supports it. Lack of facilities and concerns about appearance or productivity can all act as barriers. Even in cities where cycling infrastructure has improved, these workplace-related factors can still prevent people from making the shift.
On the other hand, when employers actively support cycling, the impact can be immediate and meaningful. Simple measures, secure bike storage, access to showers, flexible start times, or participation in cycle-to-work schemes can transform cycling from an inconvenience into a viable option. Just as importantly, workplace culture plays a role. When cycling is normalised and encouraged, it becomes part of the everyday culture rather than an exception.
There is a broader opportunity here. Supporting cycling isn’t just about commuting, it feeds into wellbeing, productivity and sustainability goals. Employees who cycle regularly often report improved mental health, higher energy levels and reduced stress. For organisations, this can translate into better engagement, lower absenteeism and a more positive workplace environment.
At a time when many businesses are refining their ESG commitments and looking for practical ways to reduce their environmental impact, cycling offers a tangible, visible solution. Encouraging even a small percentage of employees to switch from car travel to cycling can contribute meaningfully to carbon reduction targets, while also strengthening employer and employee satisfaction.
The key point is this, workplaces are not just passive environments where commuting habits play out, they’re active influencers of those habits. By recognising this role and taking relatively simple steps, employers can become powerful enablers of change.
If we want to see a real shift in cycling across the UK, the conversation needs to extend beyond roads and policies. It needs to include offices, organisations and leadership teams. Because the journey to more cycling doesn’t just start at home, it starts with where and how we work.
Cycle theft in the UK’s capital has reached a crisis point. According to the London Cycling Campaign’s (LCC) landmark Broken Locks, Broken Promises report, an estimated 40,000 bicycles are stolen in London every single year. This is a figure widely considered an underestimate due to major underreporting.
The scale of police inaction is a huge concern. Only around 2% of stolen bicycles in London are ever recovered, this is one of the lowest recovery rates among all UK police forces. For victims, the experience is often compounded by a dismissive institutional response. Of those who reported theft to the Metropolitan Police, 79% said officers took no meaningful action and 69% described the police response as inadequate. In several documented cases, investigations were closed on the same day as the theft, without officers even requesting available CCTV footage.
The LCC survey, which gathered responses from 1,924 London cyclists, found that 74% had experienced cycle theft personally or within their household, a shocking proportion, particularly given that the majority of victims reported using high-grade security measures. More than half (54%) used Sold Secure gold-rated locks or above, 62% had their bikes registered on a national cycle database and 47% had security marked their bicycle, yet theft remains largely unpunished.
The consequences extend far beyond financial loss. A quarter of theft victims reported that they either stopped cycling altogether for a period or cycled less frequently following their experience. This depreciation of cycling participation carries serious implications for public health, urban congestion and the UK’s net zero commitments. The LCC is calling for urgent systemic change. Key recommendations include a 10% annual reduction target in cycle theft, mandatory bike marking and registration (following France’s lead) and the installation of secure cycle parking at stations and public locations by councils, TfL and Network Rail.
The case for action is highly important. Tackling cycle theft is not just a policing issue, it is a public health and infrastructure priority. Secure, well-designed cycle storage removes opportunity for theft, rebuilds rider confidence, and signals that cycling is a mode of transport worthy of protection. Without it, the UK risks undermining its own active travel agenda before it has had the chance to take root. The time to act is now.
Canal Curved Secure Cycle Shelter System Installation
Delivering secure, practical and visually cohesive cycle storage solutions is a key part of supporting sustainable transport infrastructure. This project involved the supply, assembly and installation of a high-quality Canal Curve Cycle Shelter, designed to provide secure and accessible bike storage while complementing the surrounding environment.
The specified structure measured 3100mm in width, 2100mm in depth and 2100mm in height, offering a compact yet efficient footprint suitable for a variety of locations. The shelter was manufactured using a robust galvanised steel framework, finished with a durable powder coating in Moss Green (RAL 6005). This finish was selected not only for its resilience against weathering and corrosion, but also for its ability to blend seamlessly into landscaped or urban settings.
To ensure both visibility and protection, the shelter was clad with clear PETG panels along the rear and sides. This material provides a strong, impact-resistant barrier against the elements while maintaining a light, open feel that enhances usability. Access to the shelter was secured with a mesh-clad double swing gate, also powder coated to match the main structure. The gate was fitted with a hasp and staple locking mechanism, carefully installed and tested to ensure smooth operation and reliable security.
Internally, the shelter was equipped with 4 Sheffield-style cycle stands, providing storage for up to eight bicycles. These stands were positioned and installed with precision to maximise usability and ensure adequate spacing for users, supporting both convenience and protection against bike damage.
Given that the installation area consisted of a tarmac surface, careful consideration was given to the fixing method. Resin fixings was identified as a potential requirement to ensure a secure and long-lasting installation.
The project concluded with a thorough site clean-up, leaving the area tidy and ready for immediate use. The completed cycle shelter now offers a secure, weather-protected and visually appealing solution for bicycle storage, supporting active travel and enhancing the usability of the space.
This installation demonstrates our commitment to delivering high-quality cycle infrastructure, combining durable materials, precise workmanship and efficient project management to meet the needs of modern environments.
We supplied a galvanised steel Merton Mesh cycle shelter with mesh panels on all sides, creating a fully secure enclosure that allows natural surveillance from the surrounding area. This open visibility is a key deterrent to theft.
Access to the shelter is provided through swing mesh front gates fitted with double-sided digital combination locks. This solution ensures secure and convenient entry for authorised users, eliminating the need for keys while allowing controlled access from both sides and is practical for high-frequency daily use.
The structure features galvanised roof sheets, offering reliable weather protection and contributing to the overall durability of the installation. All external metalwork has been powder coated in black, creating a sleek finish and a layer of protection against corrosion.
Internally, the store is fitted with galvanised Semi-Vertical Cycle Racks, designed as a free-standing system to maximise capacity within the footprint. Each rack provides 3-points for locking, giving cyclists added confidence that their bicycles can be secured safely and effectively. This high-security locking arrangement makes the solution suitable for locations where bike protection is a top priority. The cycle store was supplied in kit form for on-site assembly, complete with all required fixings and detailed installation instructions to ensure a straightforward build process.
By combining durable galvanised construction, controlled access, high-visibility mesh panels and efficient semi-vertical racks, this project demonstrates how well-designed cycle infrastructure can enhance security, maximise capacity and encourage cycling by giving users complete confidence in the safety of their bicycles.
Trinity Timber Cycle Shelter Installation York St John University UK
Trinity Timber Cycle Shelter for St John University in York, providing a secure, durable parking solution to support sustainable travel across campus.
With cycling playing an increasingly important role in university life, the brief was to supply a shelter that would not only accommodate growing demand but also complement the character of the campus environment. The solution needed to be robust, low maintenance and secure, while maintaining a high-quality appearance consistent with the surrounding area.
The Trinity Timber Cycle Shelter is constructed with a galvanised steel frame for structural integrity, the shelter is clad in PAR treated timber using a hit-and-miss design. This approach delivers a natural, contemporary aesthetic while allowing airflow and visibility, helping the structure integrate seamlessly into the campus setting. The combination of galvanised steel and treated timber ensures resilience against weathering, making it ideal for year-round use in a busy university environment.
The roof is formed from galvanised steel sheets, offering reliable protection and overall longevity of the installation. The galvanised mesh swing gate enhances security while maintaining visibility into the shelter, creating a strong visual deterrent to theft. Access is controlled via a digital combination lock, providing convenient and secure entry for authorised users without the need for traditional keys.
Internally, the shelter is fitted with 10 Sheffield Stands, providing parking for up to 20 bicycles. Sheffield Stands remain one of the most practical and widely accepted cycle parking solutions, offering secure 3-point locking and suitability for a wide range of bicycle types. The layout ensures comfortable spacing, ease of manoeuvring and straightforward day-to-day use for students and staff alike.
The shelter was supplied in kit form for on-site assembly and installed using an over-ground fixing method, ensuring a stable and secure installation while allowing flexibility within the designated footprint.
The completed project provides York St John University with a secure, weather-protected and aesthetically aligned cycle storage facility that supports active travel across campus. By investing in high-quality infrastructure, the university continues to demonstrate its commitment to sustainable transport, student wellbeing and the creation of a modern, environmentally conscious learning environment.
Combined Communal Bin & Bike Store with Twin Bike Stores and Bespoke Bin StoreWhitley Court Gateshead
For this project, Secure Cycle Store delivered a high-quality combined waste and cycle storage solution meeting the sites needs of secure bicycle parking and organised communal waste management.
The installation started with a Combined Communal Bin and Bike Store, designed to seamlessly integrate cycle storage with communal bin housing in a single, space-efficient shelter. This robust structure offers a practical solution for residential and commercial developments where both secure cycle parking and tidy waste management are priorities. For this project, the developers chose to finish this unit with a selection of Sheffield Cycle Standsoffering efficient storage and accessibility for users.
In addition, the project included a Bespoke Communal Bin Store tailored to the client’s specific waste management requirements. Crafted to house Euro and standard wheelie bins, this structure was fitted with secure locking and tailored dimensions to ensure easy access for users while keeping the bin area clean and secure. Optional enhancements such as integrated lighting were included to improve visibility and safety in shared spaces. We installed a number of Twin Bike Storeunits adjacent to the main bin store structure. These compact, all-metal stores accommodate two bicycles in each and are ideal where space is restricted but security is still of high importance, maximising usability in confined areas. The 3-point locking system provides reliable security for users.
All components were constructed using durable, weather-resistant materials and finished to create storage that complements the surrounding environment. The combined bin and bike facility improves cycle parking security with approximately 20 bike spaces added to the development site, as well as improving waste organisation for residents. The installation contributes to a cleaner, more functional communal space.
10-Space Canal Curved Bike Storage Shelter Installation
For this project, we delivered a high-quality Canal Curved Bike Shelter designed to provide secure and reliable bicycle parking for up to 10 bikes.
The structure features a galvanised and powder-coated steel frame, offering excellent corrosion resistance and long-term performance, making it perfect for outdoor environments. The shelter is fitted with clear PETG cladding on the rear and sides, providing weather protection while maintaining visibility and a modern aesthetic, which is increasingly important for commercial, workplace and public-sector cycle parking facilities.
To enhance security, the installation includes a double mesh swing gate with a hasp and staple suitable for standard padlocks, helping to prevent unauthorised access and improving overall bike security. Inside the shelter, 5 galvanised Sheffield Stands offer secure and stable parking for up to 10 bicycles, making it a practical solution for staff, students or public users.
The complete Cycle Storage Shelter was supplied in kit form for easy on-site assembly, ensuring a straightforward installation process and minimal disruption to the client’s location.
This project demonstrates our ability to deliver durable, attractive, and secure cycle storage solutions tailored to a wide range of environments.
Great job done from ordering, advice, delivery and construction. Two man crew worked solidly from 7 am to 1pm, refused all offers of coffee and got the bike shelter built despite high winds and rain. Also dismantled our old bike rack.
Excellent company to deal with, all queries and questions answered promptly. Very happy with the service. Very quick delivery from order, the cycle repair stands were well packed and protected and secured to the pallet for transport.
Peter and Joanne were excellent to deal with and hopefully will be dealing with them again to purchase more units.
We received this and it was exactly as described, arrived quickly and securely. The company were a pleasure to deal with and throughout our order made sure we were kept up to date regarding delivery times. An all round great service.