We love it when we see someone trying to build a genuinely cycling-friendly site at a workplace, school, a station, or a residential development. The effort to change a place in this way never goes unnoticed, and when done right, it never goes unappreciated. What does “right” mean, though? Well, in short, bicycle storage needs more than just a rack. If you really want people to keep cycling and not just give it a good old try once or twice, your setup has to protect both the bikes and the cyclists themselves from the two major issues – the great British weather and theft.

That’s precisely where sheltered two-tier bike storage comes into its own. Not only does it maximise capacity, but it also provides the kind of weatherproof environment that makes cycling a year-round, realistic option. Rain is no excuse when your bike has a secure, covered, and easy-to-use home waiting for it. And whilst it’s at it, a shelter can increase your levels of protection against theft.

Let’s take a closer look at why sheltered two-tier racks are becoming the gold standard for cycle parking today.

Space Efficiency

Two-tier racks are one of those brilliant and straightforward solutions to a problem that you come across once in a while. Cyclists love them, building managers love them. They are easy to use, can accommodate most types of bikes and, best of all, they make use of the height of a space, maximising the capacity of any storage area in a way no other rack does.

We may be biased, but they are one of our all-time favourite bike storage products. They are ideal for high-density parking areas like stations, universities, and busy offices, as well as for small areas that just lack parking spaces. Two-tier racks let you make the most of your space by housing two bikes in the space of one.

Models like ours are equipped with a gas strut to make life easier for everyone. You pull on the strut, and the rack comes down, you wheel your bike onto it, and give it a little push, and off it goes upwards. It’s that simple.
Two-tier bike racks combined with a shelter provide the perfect solution for your outdoor bike parking needs. The combination gives you the maximum number of bike spaces per square meter, a more structured environment (no abandoned bikes leaning everywhere), and easy access and clear organisation, even during bad weather.

Shelters are also modular, so as demand grows, your storage can grow too—without having to sacrifice aesthetics or functionality.

Keeps Bikes Protected — and Cyclists Happier

Everyone knows that British weather can turn from sunny to sideways rain in about 30 seconds. We all know it, we all expect it, but that doesn’t mean anyone likes getting themselves or their bike soaked. For regular cyclists, cycling in difficult conditions might even be part of the charm, but even they wouldn’t want to park a bike in the rain or blistering sun for hours.

A shelter protects bikes from rain and snow, with the obvious benefit here being that once you come back to retrieve your bike, you will be sitting on a dry seat. However, the real more pressing issue is moisture. It accelerates rusting and can lead to wear and tear on the saddle, chains and paintwork, sooner rather than later. Another issue is UV damage from sun exposure, which can also speed up the clock on needing to do repairs and maintenance. A shelter works well to shield from all this.

Pair that with two-tier racks, and you get high-capacity, organised, weatherproof storage that keeps bikes in good condition for longer. For businesses and schools, this really matters. Why? Because cyclists are far more likely to commit to a wet-weather commute when they know their bike won’t be drenched and rusting away all day. Why is that important? Because this means that you can…

Encourages Year-Round Cycling

A lot of people are fair-weather cyclists. There is nothing wrong with that, as every journey made by bike is often a journey not made by car. Every little bit contributes to more active travel on our streets. However, this doesn’t mean there is nothing you can do to encourage more people to choose two wheels more often. Even in bad weather. To improve their chances of wanting to cycle, you should improve your facilities.

The quickest way to a cyclist’s heart is through safe and secure bike storage – which, if outdoors, means a shelter. Sheltered two-tier storage tackles the biggest barriers to damp and cold weather cycling – wet saddles and rusty parts, or bikes buried in snow or blown over by the wind. Shelters can also help with visibility and lighting issues, as some, such as our Bristol Two-Tier Bike Shelter, offer the option to add lighting.

A shelter sends a clear message – we support cycling no matter the weather. The addition of a shelter can coax more fair-weather cyclists to brave the autumn and winter months as well as the sunnier ones. And this might be the game-changer, especially for less experienced cyclists.

Boosts Security & Reduces Theft Risks

Two-tier racks are excellent at space-saving, but this isn’t their only badge of honour. They are also great at keeping bikes secure. Two-tier bike racks like ours have multiple locking points to secure frames and wheels, making theft that much harder. On top of that, the vertical stacking of bikes is an extra challenge to any would-be thief.

When you combine these features with a shelter, you get an extra layer of security. Many of our shelters come with options for lighting, and a model like our Bristol Shelter has options for gating- swing or sliding, for added security, with polycarbonate panels and a latch ready for a padlock.

Supports Active Travel Goals & Sustainability Policies

Whether you’re designing for a business, council, or school, active travel targets are becoming increasingly important. Installing sheltered two-tier bike racks helps meet your ESG goals by encouraging more bike commuting. But more specifically, shelters can contribute to schemes like BREEAM by ensuring bike storage complies with the assessment criteria for security.

Beyond compliance, covered bike storage represents a visible, practical investment in sustainable infrastructure. It reinforces your commitment to reducing emissions and actively supporting greener travel choices, demonstrating that sustainability is embedded in both your strategy and your site design.

If you want people to cycle regularly—rain or shine—you can’t just offer a few racks and hope for the best. Sheltered two-tier bike storage is truly a game-changer because it addresses real barriers to everyday cycling with one smart, efficient solution. By combining maximum space efficiency with weather protection and enhanced security, it transforms bike parking from an afterthought into a genuine asset.

Cyclists gain confidence knowing their bikes are safe, dry, and easy to access, while organisations benefit from increased sustainable travel uptake, reduced clutter, and alignment with environmental and active travel goals. Ultimately, investing in sheltered two-tier storage isn’t just about storing bikes — it’s about creating a culture where cycling feels practical, supported, and part of daily life, whatever the weather.