As more buildings aim to go green, BREEAM certification has become a popular way to show off strong environmental credentials. BREEAM, or the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method, is a globally recognised standard for assessing how sustainable new and existing buildings really are. One important, yet often overlooked aspect of BREEAM compliance that sometimes goes under the radar is the provision of cyclist facilities, including secure and accessible bike storage.

The certification has a whole section dedicated to transport, with a clear focus on reducing reliance on cars and encouraging more sustainable ways to get around. The spotlight falls on public transport networks and different modes of active travel like walking and cycling. You might be thinking – where are EVs in all this and why aren’t we talking about them in the transport section? And while electric vehicles, which feel like they have gotten the most media attention, are part of that shift, cycling is often seen as an easier, more affordable, and quicker-to-adopt alternative.

In this landscape and with urban space becoming more limited, two-tier bike racks have emerged as a popular solution for providing much-needed storage infrastructure to support a wider bike adoption. They are compact, space-saving, and stackable—perfect for maximising storage in compact areas. But do these space-saving systems align with the rigorous requirements of BREEAM certification? In this blog, we’ll explore how two-tier bike racks fit within BREEAM’s framework, whether they qualify under its criteria, and what considerations are necessary for ensuring compliance.

Understanding BREEAM Criteria for Bike Storage

BREEAM promotes sustainability across multiple categories, and, like we said, one key category is Transport—specifically encouraging the use of sustainable travel methods like cycling. BREEAM’s Transport section offers up to 9 credits in total, two of which are about supporting cyclists. You can earn 1 credit just by having bike storage that meets BREEAM standards, and there’s a bonus credit up for grabs if you go a step further and provide cyclist-friendly extras, like showers, lockers, or changing rooms. It’s BREEAM’s way of rewarding buildings that make cycling to work a practical and appealing option.

So, what exactly do they need you to do to gain credits under BREEAM? Well, BREEAM isn’t explicit and extremely prescriptive about it, but they do outline some criteria your bike storage area must meet.

Bike Storage Credit

For your first credit—the bike storage itself—the assessors are looking for adequacy, quality, and security.

You’ll need to provide the right number of spaces for the right number of people. This will be based on how the building is used and how many people are expected to be there, meaning what counts as “enough” will be different for residential buildings, offices, schools and so on.

It’s also not just about having enough racks. The storage has to be secure and easy for everyone to access. So think racks with two locking points, a safe location, good lighting and easy to get to. For example, if it’s tucked away at the bottom of a staircase, it needs to be clear that users can still get to it without hassle.

Ideally, the bike storage should be in a visible, convenient spot. If it’s further away from the main entrance, make sure there’s clear signage guiding people to it.

Also, a quick heads-up: only offering storage for folding bikes or scooters won’t cut it. And using nearby public bike stands doesn’t count toward compliance either—it has to be part of the development itself.

Extra Credit

To pick up the extra BREEAM credit for cycle storage, you need to add a few cyclist-friendly extras known as end-of-trip facilities. These are the things that make cycling to work (or anywhere, really) way more practical, especially in less-than-perfect weather.

To earn the extra credit, you’ll need to provide at least two of these:

• Showers – At least one for every 10 cycle spaces.
• Changing areas and lockers – So cyclists can freshen up and store their gear safely.
• Drying facilities – For wet clothes or towels, especially useful in the UK climate!

These additions show you’re not just encouraging cycling—you’re making it genuinely easy and comfortable for people to do it every day.

So…Can Two-Tier Bike Racks be BREEAM-certified?

Now, on to the actual question and why it is the wrong question to ask.

The short answer is no. BREEAM doesn’t actually “certify” individual products like a specific two-tier bike rack. Instead, it looks at how well the overall bike storage setup meets its standards. So it’s less about the type of rack and more about how it’s used, where it’s placed, and whether it ticks the right boxes.

So, the question isn’t whether two-tier bike racks are BREEAM certified, but rather whether they can be used in a way that complies with BREEAM’s requirements. You just need to look back at what the assessors are looking for.

Security

One of the most important requirements is that users can lock both the frame and at least one wheel to a fixed structure. Some two-tier racks allow for this, especially if they’ve been designed with security in mind. Others? Not so much.

Our two-tier bike racks do fit the bill—they offer wheel and frame locking plus strong, stainless steel components that are hard to tamper with.

Accessibility

Two-tier systems are fantastic for saving space, but they must be easy for a wide range of people. Our models come with gas-assisted mechanisms that make lifting the bike onto the upper level much easier, which is a big plus. BREEAM assessors would be happy to see that the racks are safe and intuitive, and they don’t exclude users who may not be able to lift their bikes up high.

However, if you want to eliminate any doubt, it might be a good idea to include a mix of standard and two-tier racks.

Capacity

Using two-tier racks is a great way to increase the number of available spaces, which can be really helpful if you’re working with a tight footprint but still need to meet BREEAM’s space requirements. Just make sure you’re not compromising usability or security in the name of fitting more bikes. In short, this means having enough bike spaces for the size of development you have and making sure there is enough space between racks to ensure they are actually usable. Here is our short guide on that.

So while a two-tier rack alone won’t magically earn you a BREEAM credit, the right design and setup definitely can. Think of it as one part of a bigger picture, where convenience, security, and accessibility all come together. When they’re designed with features like dual locking points, gas-assisted lifting mechanisms, and enough room between bikes, they can easily form part of a BREEAM-compliant cycle storage area. After all, achieving BREEAM points isn’t just about checking boxes—it’s about making sustainable transport a real, attractive option for the people using your building.