A Specifier’s Guide to Cycle Storage Accreditations

When specifying cycle storage for a commercial, residential or public sector development, accreditations are not optional extras. They are the framework through which planning authorities assess compliance, sustainability consultants verify BREEAM credits and security professionals validate product performance. Understanding which accreditations apply, what they require and how they interact is essential for any specifier working on a scheme where cycle provision forms part of the planning or sustainability brief.

This guide covers the three accreditation frameworks most relevant to commercial cycle storage specification in the UK: BREEAM, Secured by Design and Sold Secure.

BREEAM

BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) is the world’s leading sustainability assessment method for buildings. For specifiers, the two most relevant transport credits are Tra 01 and Tra 03, both of which directly reference cycle storage provision.

Tra 01 assesses sustainable transport, with credits awarded based on proximity to public transport and the provision of infrastructure that encourages active travel. Tra 03 specifically addresses cyclist facilities, covering the number of cycle spaces provided, the quality of those spaces and the availability of end-of-trip facilities including changing rooms, showers and secure storage.

To achieve credits under Tra 03, cycle storage must meet minimum quantity thresholds relative to building occupancy, be secure and weather-protected, and in many cases be located within a defined distance of the building entrance. The specific requirements vary by building type and target rating. BREEAM Excellent and Outstanding ratings require higher provision levels and, in most cases, covered and secured storage rather than open racks.

For specifiers, the practical implication is that product selection matters. Open Sheffield stands will not satisfy Tra 03 requirements where covered storage is specified. Two-tier and semi-vertical racks within a secure shelter, or individual cycle lockers, are typically required to achieve the higher credit thresholds. British-made products with documented specifications simplify the evidence submission process for BREEAM assessors.

Secured by Design

Secured by Design (SBD) is the official UK police security initiative, operated by Police CPI on behalf of the UK Police Service. Products that carry SBD accreditation have been independently tested and certified to meet specific security standards, and their use is increasingly referenced in planning conditions, particularly on residential and mixed-use developments.

SBD accreditation for cycle storage is awarded under the Police Preferred Specification, which requires products to meet defined resistance standards against physical attack. For cycle shelters and enclosures, this means the structure, locking mechanisms and access control must all meet the relevant performance criteria.

The planning significance of SBD is growing. Many local planning authorities now include SBD compliance as a condition or recommendation in their design and access guidance, particularly for residential developments in higher crime risk areas. On schemes where a Secured by Design Development award is being pursued, SBD-accredited cycle storage is a direct requirement.

For specifiers, selecting SBD-accredited products removes ambiguity at planning stage and provides a defensible, independently verified security specification that satisfies both planning officers and security consultants.

Sold Secure

Sold Secure is an independent product security testing organisation that assesses products against standardised attack resistance criteria. Its ratings – Bronze, Silver, Gold and Diamond – reflect increasing levels of resistance to physical attack, and its certifications are recognised by insurers, local authorities and procurement bodies across the UK.

For commercial cycle storage, Sold Secure’s SS104 standard is the relevant framework. Products tested under SS104 are assessed for resistance to cutting, drilling and physical manipulation, with Diamond representing the highest level of protection. Sold Secure certification is increasingly specified by facilities managers and public sector procurement teams as a baseline security requirement, and some insurance policies reference Sold Secure ratings when assessing risk.

The distinction between Sold Secure and Secured by Design is worth understanding clearly. Sold Secure is a product-level certification focused purely on attack resistance. Secured by Design is a broader scheme covering design, layout and product performance within a development context. The two are complementary rather than interchangeable, and on high-security schemes both are typically required.

BSC currently manufactures four products carrying Sold Secure certification. See the links below to view the full specifications for each.

How the Three Frameworks Interact

In practice, the most demanding specifications will require all three. A residential development pursuing BREEAM Excellent will need cycle storage that satisfies Tra 03 quantity and quality thresholds, carries SBD accreditation to satisfy planning conditions, and meets Sold Secure standards to satisfy insurers and residents.

Selecting products that hold all three accreditations at the outset eliminates the risk of substitution requests at planning stage and provides a complete evidential trail for sustainability assessors, planning officers and building control.

When reviewing cycle storage options, specifiers should request documentary evidence of each accreditation directly from the manufacturer, confirm that the specific product variant specified (not just the product range) holds the relevant certification, and verify that certifications are current and not lapsed

Working With Us

The Bike Storage Company manufactures a range of British-made cycle storage products carrying BREEAM-compliant specifications, Secured by Design accreditation and Sold Secure certification. For specification support, CAD files or product documentation, contact the team directly.