In recent years, a common myth has emerged, and we wouldn’t be surprised if you have encountered it while researching where to buy your bike racks and shelters. It isn’t uncommon to come across advertising claiming that certain bike storage products are BREEAM-certified. This myth has taken root, and we often get asked this question – are our products BREEAM-certified? We have had to address this issue on so many occasions that we thought writing a separate blog on it might be a good idea. Let’s break down this misconception and clarify what BREEAM certification truly means in relation to bike storage solutions.
Understanding BREEAM Certification
BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) is an internationally recognised certification system that assesses the environmental performance of buildings.
The certification focuses on various categories that are part of the full lifecycle of a development, from building to exploitation. The categories cover a range of aspects relevant to environmental and sustainability issues which stem from the building and the operations of a building like its energy and water use, health and well-being for occupants, use of materials, management of waste and pollution, climate resilience for the future, innovation in sustainability practices and, importantly for us, transport.
Transport is only one of several categories, and it focuses on the role of buildings in encouraging the use of public transport, active travel, and the reduction of car reliance. The overall idea is that a building would ideally have great public transport links by being close to metro or bus stops, adequate bike storage provisions and end-of-trip facilities, and good safe routes for anyone walking or cycling to and from.
The key takeaway here is that the BREEAM assessment covers all the above categories in detail and is designed to be taken as an overall measure of how well entire buildings or large-scale projects score in them.
The Role of Bike Storage in BREEAM Assessment
Bike storage is a critical component of sustainable transport options that can help a building earn BREEAM points. In the current BREEAM assessment, there are 9 credits to be had for Transport, and only two of them are for bike storage facilities. The two points are divided between having bike storage that fits the BREEAM idea of being safe, sufficient, secure and in a reasonable location and providing end-of-trip facilities.
When evaluating whether to give development credits, BREEAM assessors look at the whole context and environment where bike storage solutions are placed. They evaluate how well these products fit into the building’s overall sustainability and transportation framework. This holistic assessment process ensures compliance is determined by the functional integration and practicality of bike storage solutions, not just the products themselves.
So, in short, bike storage products can contribute to BREEAM assessments by helping buildings meet specific criteria like:
Security and Accessibility: BREEAM emphasises the need for bike storage that allows bicycles to be secured at two points (frame and wheel) and easily accessible to users. This means that the overall design and placement of bike racks are crucial in the assessment process.
Context Matters: BREEAM assessors evaluate bike storage solutions in the context of their environment. This includes considering the user profile and numbers, the location of the storage relative to the building entrance, and other practical aspects. Therefore, even the best bike racks will not help a project earn points if they are poorly placed or difficult to access.
Additional Facilities: Buildings can gain extra credits for providing additional amenities such as showers, lockers, and changing facilities for cyclists. This underscores the holistic approach BREEAM takes towards promoting cycling as a viable transport option.
Are Our Bike Storage Products BREEAM-Certified?
No, they are not, and neither are our competitors’. BREEAM-certified, or the milder BREEAM-compliant bike racks or stands, simply don’t exist. As the BREEAM Knowledge Base says, “BREEAM is used to certify buildings, not products. Cycle parking systems cannot, therefore, be considered inherently ‘BREEAM compliant”. These must be assessed in context with reference to their location and the intended user profile.”
Individual bike storage products cannot receive BREEAM certification, as this assessment is intended for buildings and larger projects rather than specific items.
BREEAM assessors recognise each project has unique characteristics, including site conditions, spatial constraints, and usage patterns. Because of this variability, assessors do not strictly prescribe particular products, dimensions, or types of cycle parking solutions. Instead, the evaluation of bike storage is considered within the broader context of its location, the intended user demographic, and its overall integration into the building’s transport strategy.
To ensure that your bike parking area aligns with BREEAM standards, you must meet criteria concerning security, accessibility, and capacity. While certain criteria will be influenced by the type of rack used—such as the requirement for securing bikes in two locations (frame and wheel)—other aspects like accessibility rely on the location and design of the bike storage area, which would differ from building to building. You would need to think about whether there are stairs to navigate, how visible and easy it is to locate the bike storage, and how conveniently it is positioned within the overall layout of the building. Meanwhile, the capacity criteria hinge on having the correct number of racks based on your expected occupancy levels. Each of these criteria is meant to work together with the next, meaning compliance cannot simply be boiled down to having “BREEAM-compliant racks.”
It’s vital to be cautious about misleading marketing claims regarding BREEAM certification and compliance. The sum of it is that while products cannot receive BREEAM certification, the way they are utilised within a project can contribute to the overall BREEAM score. Developers should focus on integrating high-quality bike storage solutions that meet BREEAM’s requirements to maximise their potential for certification. Understanding this distinction can help project teams make informed choices that contribute positively to sustainability goals and user experience.