Ecological, elegant and resistant, wood is an interesting choice for the manufacture of bicycle shelters. Polymobyl, a major player in urban development since 1986, presents this material, its uses and the ranges available. Whether for public spaces, businesses or local authorities, choose awooden bicycle shelter.
Wooden bike racks: advantages, models and alternatives with Polymobyl
Why install a wooden bicycle shelter?
Wood has a special place in the design of spaces. For bicycle shelters, it combines aesthetics with environmental commitment. Companies and local authorities are increasingly turning to this living material to support the development of soft mobility.
Aesthetics and natural evolution
Unlike industrial materials, wood brings warmth and creates a link with the landscape. Each shelter becomes an architectural element in its own right.
Its natural evolution is part of its charm. Knots, color variations and gradual graying are not defects, but the expression of a living material.
Robustness and durability
Properly selected and protected, wood is robust and perfectly suited to outdoor use. The species used for wooden cycle shelters are chosen for their resistance and ability to withstand the elements. Properly designed, this type of bicycle shelter offers excellent resistance to wind, rain and temperature variations.
Natural integration and respect for the planet
Naturally elegant, wood can be integrated into a wide variety of environments, from tertiary sites and schools to business parks and urban public spaces. Derived from sustainably managed forests, wood is a renewable material with a low carbon footprint. This aspect helps to promote the CSR commitments of companies and local authorities.
What type of wood to choose for a bike shelter?
Polymobyl uses local or exotic woods according to project requirements. We prefer wood from sustainably managed forests.
Douglas: a rot-proof wood
This is the species most commonly used for wooden bicycle shelters. Unaffected by rot, Douglas fir is highly resistant to humidity. Its natural durability makes it a preferred choice for furniture exposed to the elements. Its warm color develops into a uniform silvery-gray over time, making it a popular choice for contemporary furnishings.
Acacia, oak, larch: interesting species
Depending on the project and local constraints, different types of wood can be used:
- larch, renowned for its resistance
- acacia, particularly dense and long-lasting;
- oak, for its nobility and exceptional strength.
The choice of species depends on several criteria: site exposure, climatic constraints, desired aesthetic appearance and budget. Our woods are all of European origin and class III, i.e. selected for outdoor use and regular exposure to humidity.
Wood care and protection
To preserve the appearance and characteristics of Douglas fir, Polymobyl applies a saturator to all its wooden bicycle shelters. This product penetrates deep into the fibers and protects the wood against UV and humidity. It is available in two versions: colorless to enhance the grain or gray to anticipate the natural evolution of the material.
Our shelters are designed to minimize maintenance. However, exposure and local climate influence maintenance requirements. Intelligent design, with roof overhangs, natural ventilation and protection against rising water, considerably reduces the need for maintenance.
Bicycle shelters: which wooden models does Polymobyl offer?
Our catalog includes two lines of furniture featuring wood, either alone or combined with metal.
NUT: the 100% wood bicycle shelter
With the TUB collection, choose furniture made from metal tubes for optimal integration into the space. Easy to maintain, anti-vandalism and anti-graffiti, it’s the ideal partner for urban spaces.
25° & Cie: a secure, modular bicycle shelter
Polymobyl has designed a modular construction system that enables the creation of customized wooden bicycle shelters.
The 25° & Cie range combines aluminum frames and wood cladding, with a wide range of partition and roofing options (green partitions, galvanized steel, Plexiglas, etc.). The basic models offer seating for 6 to 20 people, but all sizes are available on request.
The shelters in this series can also include all the necessary accessories – hoops, VAE charging stations, inflation stations – as well as an enclosed, secure space.
Alternatives to natural wood
Demand is also shifting towards other solutions, particularly in areas subject to severe climatic variations or high maintenance requirements. Wood-effect aluminum bicycle shelters offer an aesthetic finish very similar to natural wood, while guaranteeing greater durability and total absence of maintenance.
Why install a wooden bicycle shelter?
Providing parking areas for two-wheelers and NVEI (new independent electric vehicles) is in keeping with the times.
Four good reasons to build a bike shelter
Installing a wooden bicycle shelter allows you to :
- secure cycles and extend their service life by protecting them from the elements;
- encourage green modes of transport by offering real comfort to users;
- support the environmental approach of companies and local authorities;
- improve the quality of life at work or in the public space by encouraging employees to use bicycles…
A model for every purpose
There are several categories of bicycle shelters, adapted to different uses and levels of safety.
- Open shelters provide protection from the elements and are ideal for short-term parking.
- Secure shelters, closed by access control systems, meet the needs of companies and local authorities wishing to prevent theft and damage.
- Community shelters are home to a large number of bicycles, scooters and even motorcycles.
- Modular solutions enable capacities to be gradually increased in line with visitor numbers.
How to choose the right bike shelter for your needs?
Capacity, safety level, available space, materials, budget, customization options… All these parameters need to be taken into consideration.
To choose the right product and guarantee harmonious integration, count on Polymobyl. From audit to design and on-site deployment, we support yourwooden urban shelter project.
