BIKE STORAGE TENTS
Bike storage tents are an inexpensive and eco-friendly solution for storing 1-2 adult bicycles in tight spaces. Key benefits are price, portability, ease of set-up and compact size. Main trade-off is security but bikes can easily be secured to themselves or to an object inside the storage tent. For less than $100 you can permanently or temporarily store your bikes outside and quickly set-up a bike shed alternative. Bike storage tents are also a trade-up from bike covers that don't fully cover your ride. A few options that ship from the U.S.:
YardStash (~$99): The YardStash outdoor storage product is made from tough polyester fabric with an integrated reinforced floor and beefy zippers to withstand heavy weather and usage. Takes about 10 min to set-up and includes a one year warranty. This is the most compact product at 32" deep x 78" wide x 62" high so ideal for side yards, decks, patios and other tight spaces. YardStash also includes two hooks to hang your helmets, backpack or other gear.
YardStash (~$99)BIKE SHEDS - SLIDE LID
Rubbermaid's slide-lid shed is the best selling plastic/resin product for storing bikes. This shed available at "big box" home improvement stores (call ahead to make sure the product is available) and online. Retail price is ~$350 and reviews for the product are mixed with various complaints about the fit of the plastic hinges. Overall, a decent value and product for home storage needs.
Other manufacturers that offer plastic sheds include Keter and Suncast.
BIKE SHEDS - WOODEN
Wooden sheds of all shapes and sizes can be purchased and assembled or built from scratch to store and protect bikes. For small sheds, plan on spending north of $350 and carving out a Saturday or Sunday (or both) for assembly.
This Wood Shed Plans blog is a great site to review before you tackle a shed building project.
Brookstone's wooden shed is a ~$399 compact solution that fits tight spaces.
BIKE SHEDS - ALUMINUM/METAL
Several compact aluminum/metal sheds are available for storing multiple bikes and outdoor equipment. These sheds are significantly more expensive than wooden sheds and according to reviews are more difficult to assemble. If you've got the budget, time and patience, however, these sheds are your best bet for security and durability. A few viable options as follows:
Arrow Garden Shed (8' wide x 3' deep, ~$370): Includes four shelves and a tool hanger rack but you or a handyman will need to add a plywood floor to the steel frame.
Duramax SideMate Shed (8' wide x 4' deep, ~$600): Good looking shed designed for side yards or placement against a fence/wall. Same assembly challenges but recommended if space is at a premium and budget isn't an issue,
BIKE LOCKERS
Bike lockers have been described as "theft proof","bomb proof" and "Katrina proof" with good reason. Bike commuters in the busiest cities in the world rely on these aluminum or metal lockers to protect their bikes from theft. Commuters typically ride their bikes to a transit station, stash their bike in a reserved or open locker and hop on a train or bus to work. For example, the McDonald's Cycle Center in Chicago touts "300 secure bicycle parking spaces" as a key enabler for Chicago to become the "most bicycle-friendly city in the country."
Smaller, individual bike lockers are available for home use but are cost prohibitive for home owners. Bike locker manufacturers target commercial markets such as schools, landlords and companies in bike friendly environments.
Please feel free to recommend other ideas or products for outdoor bike storage!
