What would your dream bike shed look like?

Entries for Shed of the Year close in just under four months. And it got us thinking: What would your dream bike shed look like? What special features would you include?

Win a shed alarm

The 110dB Yale shed and garage alarm is standalone, wire-free and battery operated which makes it easy to install. Send us your ideas for your ideal bike shed and we'll enter your name into a draw to win the alarm.

{{cta-cycling}}

Do you need planning permission for a bike shed?

Urban living can present a problem where cycle storage is concerned. If you're lucky enough to have a front garden, surely it's safe to assume you can put up a small shed to store your bicycle? Not necessarily.

In theory, any structure erected in a front garden requires planning consent. In practice you're probably OK unless you live in a strict conservation area or a neighbour complains. If that happens, it's likely you'll have to apply for planning permission. With the price of bike sheds starting at around £300, it's wise to sound out your neighbours before taking the plunge.

Many local councils support cycling so it's always worth giving your local planning team a call as you may live in an area that provides bike hangers.

Bike thieves target sheds. As a result, many cycle insurance companies insist on a high level of door lock security. By contrast, Cycle insurance from the ETA has a sympathetic policy towards storing bicycles in a shed. You can use any type of lock to secure the door, and the bike doesn’t have to be locked while left inside – although if it’s visible through a window, you have to cover it with a blanket or similar. Read more about storage requirements.

The ethical choice

The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. Over 30 years on, we continue to offer cycle insurance, breakdown cover and mobility scooter insurance while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.

The Good Shopping Guide judges us to be the UK's most ethical provider.

{{cta-cycling}}