How big should a bike shed be?
The right bike shed size depends on bike count, bike types, and available garden dimensions. A 2-bike shed needs 1.3 to 1.8 square metres. A 4-bike shed needs 2.3 to 2.34 square metres. Four designs cover the full range of garden shapes, access patterns, and bike types.
Quick Sizing Reference
| Bikes | Classic (Front-to-Back) | Vertical (Side-by-Side Hanging) | Footprint Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.8m × 2.0m = 1.60m² | 1.3m × 0.86m = 1.12m² | Vertical 30% smaller |
| 2 | 0.9m × 2.0m = 1.80m² | 1.3m × 1.0m = 1.30m² | Vertical 28% smaller |
| 3 | 1.0m × 2.0m = 2.00m² | 1.3m × 1.4m = 1.82m² | Vertical 9% smaller |
| 4 | 1.15m × 2.0m = 2.30m² | 1.3m × 1.8m = 2.34m² | Near identical |
| 5 | 1.25m × 2.0m = 2.50m² | 1.3m × 2.2m = 2.86m² | Classic smaller |
| 6 | 1.35m × 2.0m = 2.70m² | 1.3m × 2.6m = 3.38m² | Classic smaller |
All dimensions shown as depth × width (base footprint).
The Slot-In Bike Shed uses a constant 2.0m depth with the same width increments as the Vertical, giving the largest footprint at every capacity but with ground-level roll-in access and independent bike slots. See the Slot-In guide for a full comparison.
Cargo Bike Sheds for frames 2.2m or longer:
| Capacity | 2.5m depth | 3.0m depth |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cargo bike | 2.5m × 1.41m = 3.53m² | 3.0m × 1.41m = 4.23m² |
| 2 cargo bikes | 2.5m × 1.76m = 4.40m² | 3.0m × 1.76m = 5.28m² |
| 3 cargo bikes | 2.5m × 1.98m = 4.95m² | 3.0m × 1.98m = 5.94m² |
Bike Shed Dimensions Explained
Classic Bike Shed
The Classic Bike Shed stores bikes front-to-back along its fixed 2.0m width. Depth scales from 800mm (1 bike) to 1350mm (6 bikes). The top-and-tailed arrangement and alternating bikes head-to-tail along the width maximises capacity within the compact footprint. Front bikes must be moved to access bikes stored behind them.
- Fixed dimension: 2.0m width
- Variable dimension: 800–1350mm depth
- Height: 1.35m front, 1.25m rear
- Best for: Gardens with 2.0m or more width, infrequent access, front gardens where a low profile is preferred
Vertical Bike Shed
The Vertical Bike Shed hangs bikes side-by-side from powder-coated hooks at 400mm centres. Depth stays constant at 1.3m regardless of bike count; width scales from 860mm (1 bike) to 2600mm (6 bikes). Each bike is accessible without disturbing others.
- Fixed dimension: 1.3m depth
- Variable dimension: 860–2600mm width
- Height: 2.0m front, 2.2m rear
- Best for: Available depth under 1.6m, narrow passages, terraced houses, independent access per bike
Slot-In Bike Shed
The Slot-In Bike Shed uses a galvanised steel floor rack to store bikes side-by-side at ground level. Bikes roll in without lifting. Depth is constant at 2.0m; width scales identically to the Vertical.
- Fixed dimension: 2.0m depth
- Variable dimension: 860–2600mm width
- Height: 1.55m front, 1.35m rear
- Best for: Daily commuters, e-bike owners, mobility concerns, ground-level roll-in access
Cargo Bike Shed
The Cargo Bike Shed accommodates extended frames of 2.2 to 3.0 metres. Available in 2.5m and 3.0m depth options, storing 1 to 3 bikes. A sliding roof panel on stainless steel runners provides top-loading access for front-loaders and wide cargo boxes.
- Depth options: 2.5m or 3.0m
- Width: 1410–1980mm depending on capacity
- Height: 1.58m front, 1.32m rear
- Best for: Longtail cargo bikes, front-loader box bikes, e-cargo bikes
Standard 2m sheds cannot accommodate cargo bike lengths.
How Much Space Does a Bike Take Up?
Standard adult road bikes and hybrids measure 1.7 to 1.9m front to back, with handlebars spanning 60 to 70cm. Mountain bikes extend to 70 to 80cm across the bars. Children’s bikes range from 80cm (balance bikes, ages 2 to 4) up to 1.6m (24-inch wheel bikes, ages 9 to 12). A 4-bike Classic comfortably fits two adult bikes and two children’s bikes.
E-bikes share similar frame dimensions to standard bikes but weigh 20 to 28kg against 12 to 15kg for standard bikes. Repeatedly lifting that weight onto Vertical hooks becomes impractical for daily use. Classic ground-level storage or Slot-In roll-in access are better suited to heavy bikes.
Cargo bikes need 2.2 to 3.0m of depth. Front-loader box bikes span 2.4 to 2.8m; longtails range from 2.2 to 2.5m. Neither category fits within a standard 2m shed.
Worked Sizing Examples
Example 1: Two bikes, narrow side passage (1.5m wide total)
Classic 2-bike requires 2.0m width will not fit. Vertical 2-bike requires 1.0m width and 1.3m depth fits with 250mm clearance each side.
Example 2: Family of four (2 adult mountain bikes, 2 children’s bikes)
Available space: 3.0m × 2.5m corner of garden.
Classic 4-bike: 1150mm × 2000mm base. Adding 300mm front clearance and 100mm each side gives 1.45m × 2.2m total space required. Fits comfortably. The 1.35m front height suits a garden with a standard rear fence. The Plus Height add-on accommodates tall adult mountain bike handlebars alongside smaller children’s bikes.
Example 3: Six bikes with bin storage along a fence line
Available space: 4.0m × 2.5m.
Classic 6-bike: 1350mm × 2000mm base. Bin storage add-on extends width by 400mm to 2400mm total. With 300mm front clearance: 1.65m × 2.4m. Fits within the available area.
Four Factors That Determine the Right Size
Bike count. Count every bike in regular use, including children’s bikes. Planning one slot above current needs costs little in footprint and removes the need to buy again when a child grows into a larger bike.
Bike type. Standard road and hybrid bikes fit any model sized to capacity. Mountain bikes with 70 to 80cm handlebars benefit from the Plus Height add-on (additional 300mm vertical clearance). E-bikes at 20 to 28kg need ground-level or roll-in access. Cargo and longtail bikes require the Cargo Bike Shed regardless of other factors.
Access patterns. Classic suits infrequent access or households where the same front bike is used daily. Vertical and Slot-In suit daily commuters and households where different people need different bikes at different times. Consider the least physically able user in the household when assessing lift requirements.
Additional storage. Bin storage add-ons extend total width by 400mm. Shelf add-ons (130mm depth) mount internally for helmets, pumps, and tools without consuming bike space. Log storage is side-mounted and does not affect internal bike capacity. Account for any add-on dimensions when calculating total required footprint.
Planning Permission
Most bike sheds fall under permitted development in England, requiring no planning permission.
| Model | Front Height | Boundary Placement | Permission Needed? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic 1–6 bikes | 1.35m | Any | No |
| Vertical 1–6 bikes | 1.2m (2.2m at rear) | Within 2m of boundary | No (under 2.5m limit) |
| Slot-In 1–6 bikes | 1.55m | Any | No |
| Cargo 1–3 bikes | 1.58m | Any | No |
The key rules: shed must be under 2.5m tall within 2m of a boundary; under 4m (pitched roof) or 3m (flat roof) when further away; single storey; covering under 50 percent of garden area; not positioned ahead of the principal front wall in a front garden.
Listed buildings, conservation areas, flats, and properties with Article 4 directions may need permission regardless of size. Check with your local planning authority if any of those apply.
Choosing the Right Model
Start with available depth, then match to bike count.
| Available Depth | Best Option |
|---|---|
| Under 1.6m | Vertical only |
| 1.6m to 2.0m | Vertical preferred; Classic possible for 1–3 bikes |
| 2.0m to 2.5m | Classic or Vertical depending on width |
| 2.0m to 2.5m (roll-in access needed) | Slot-In |
| 2.5m or more with cargo bikes | Cargo Bike Shed |
Add 300mm front clearance and 100mm each side to any base dimension for total space required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sizing tables show base footprint (external dimensions). Internal dimensions are approximately 100mm smaller on each side to account for timber cladding thickness. A Classic 4-bike with a 1150mm × 2000mm base provides roughly 1050mm × 1900mm of internal space. Each product's spec sheet details both external and internal dimensions precisely.
E-bikes at 20 to 28kg are most practical at ground level. The Classic's front-to-back arrangement and the Slot-In's roll-in access both avoid repeated heavy lifting. Mountain bikes with 70 to 80cm handlebars benefit from the Plus Height add-on, which adds 300mm of vertical clearance and suits sheds storing a mix of adult and children's bikes.
Two depth options: 2.5m (fitting bikes up to around 2.4m long) and 3.0m (for extended longtails and front-loaders up to around 2.9m). Width runs from 1410mm (1 bike) to 1980mm (3 bikes). Front height is 1580mm, providing clearance for cargo boxes and child seats.
Yes. Bespoke sizing is available for custom widths, depths, and configurations that fall outside standard models. Custom orders typically add 2 to 3 weeks to standard lead times. Most buyers find standard sizing sufficient; bespoke work suits genuinely unusual garden shapes or specific installation constraints.
Yes. Installation covers South East England and surrounding areas. Lead time runs 8 to 10 weeks from order confirmation, extending to 12 weeks during peak periods. Self-assembly is available for confident DIYers. The installation service covers full assembly, levelling, and testing of all fittings and security hardware.
Browse the Classic Bike Shed, Vertical Bike Shed, Slot-In Bike Shed, Cargo Bike Shed for full specifications and configuration options, or see our complete guide to choosing a bike shed for side-by-side guidance across all storage designs.