Make Your Home Bike-Friendly

by Steve Graham, Networx

The bicycle is the most efficient form of transportation ever devised, and it delivers a whole-body workout. Cycling consumes far fewer calories per mile traveled than cars, buses, or even walking. It is sometimes the fastest way to get around a city. Cyclists can zip around traffic jams and don’t have to fight for a parking spot because they can bring the vehicle home — maybe. Many homes aren’t bicycle-friendly, so bikes are either not used or not purchased. Instead, try altering your home to accommodate biking or altering your bike to accommodate your home.

Reshape Your Space for Your Bike

A bicycle doesn’t ask for much. It just needs a safe, dry spot away from thieves and vandals. Even maintenance isn’t an issue. Occasional in-home repairs and tune-ups just require an old towel for catching grease drips, a bottle of degreaser, and a toolset that fits under a bike saddle. Most homes or garages have enough space to attach heavy-duty hooks and hang a bike. You can get a pair of vinyl-coated steel hooks for about $2. The slick bike claw costs more, but makes hanging a bike even easier. Instead of awkwardly maneuvering over a J-hook, the tire pushes up on a button that lowers two hooks around the rim. Push up again and release the hooks to pull the bike down.

If lifting a bike is impractical, try the bike hoist . You can even mount one in your living room. It uses pulleys to help you do the heavy lifting. Of course, make sure any bike hooks are screwed in to studs and rafters, not drywall. Also, if you walk past the bike regularly, turn it so the chain faces toward the wall. That will reduce greasy mishaps if you get too close to the gears.