Keeping a bicycle under cover protects it from winter weather and prying eyes, but with urban areas short on garages and sheds, for many it is easier said than done. When a manufacturer of tents was challenged to address the problem, the result was BikeParka – a high-quality, fitted water-proof cover for bicycles.
In the way that today’s all-weather cyclists have forgone the traditional cagoule in favour of waterproof, yet breathable jackets, so BikeParka offers a technical alternative to the basic tarpaulin. Manufactured from rip-stop, the lightweight material used to fabricate sails, parachutes and kites, the BikeParka features sealed seams, an elasticated fit and a slot through which to pass a lock.
Most bike sizes are catered for by a range of sizes – including kids’ bicycles – and prices start at around £30. See bikeparka.com
Win a BikeParka
We have a BikeParka Urban worth £40 to give away. To be in with a chance of winning, simply leave us a comment at the bottom of this page.
ETA cycle insurance – Excellent protection whatever the weather
ETA cycle insurance offers a sympathetic policy on storage. For example, as long as a shed door is locked the bicycles stored within do not require any further security. In addition, the policy covers stolen quick-release components and for added peace of mind, claims are handled in-house. Furthermore, bikes are never devalued, no matter their age. Hardly surprising that The Good Shopping Guide voted us ethical in Britain.
What if you need to store your bicycle outside, but are without a garden shed?
Bike thieves go for easy pickings first, but are notoriously resourceful and brazen when need be. The upshot for cyclists is that thieves will remove hinges from a garden shed, pull aside fence posts to pop open side gates and even demolish a garage door to get to a good bike – even if it means doing it within earshot of a house. In answer to this threat, two enterprising cyclists from Southend have come up with Bike Vault, a robust storage box wholly manufactured in Britain using recyclable materials.
James Booth
My tarpaulin is working at the moment, but not as handy as this!
Johnny McGuire
brilliant bit of kit to tuck the bike away nice and cosily!
Michael Conway
Just what I have been looking for – and with padlock space.
Ned
Love how small it folds, looks like it could work as emergency shelter as well!
Richard Scrase
My bikes are being evicted from the hallway, this would cover one of the three!
John
Very handy for all weathers
John Holiday
TLC for the bike!
So many I help refurbish languish out in the rain!
Paul Humphries
Parka park for parking in the Dry brilliant
Gavin
A bivvy bag for a bike… yes please.
Phoebe
I would love one!
Mick Leary
Would love one of these – would I have to get off the bike first before I zipped it up ………. (?)
Richard Gregory
Garage is ram full with bikes, need one for the +1 “nip down to the shops ” bike
VicK
Great idea. No more soggy saddles.
Inge
I often leave my bike outside in the garden, for lack of internal space. A bike parka would make us both more comfortable when the weather is wet and miserable. Please put me in the draw.
Not so sure about the Bike Vault, though appreciate it as a creative alternative to the boxy steel lockers. It is unfortunate that it is designed for a single bicycle. It appears to be wide enough from the front access point, but then tapers along its length, not the most efficient use of front garden space.
Carl
The BikeParker is an excellent way to store a bike outside,keeping it dry and locked up with minimum fuss,away from unwanted attention. Another good thing is it’s so compact you can fold it up and put it in your backpack and take it with you!
Karl
Looks great and great coverage of the whole bike. Most covers say they are waterproof but are not great so this will be handy.
Geoff
We are about to have some building work done and a Bike Parka would have yet another use which many won’t have thought about…. to keep the brick dust and sawdust from covering my new e-bike!
Steven
Exactly what I’ve been looking for! Great idea for bike storage, that looks like it takes up no more room than the bike itself!
David Dunnico
I live in Manchester. Need I say more?
David Carroll
Parka your bike out of the weather. Looks effective and practical.
Alex
Could be useful on a cycling tour to keep the bike dry. I’ve not taken a cover on past tours and sometimes it rains, naturally. Is it worth the extra bulk to carry?
Jamie Johnson
Well done Parka!
Lianne
My bike is in need of so much love as a result of not having a cover! It’s about to be fixed up but winning this cover would help me keep it nice after lots of hard work to make it nice again!
antvren
This would be fantastic for my daughter who lives on an exposed hillside with nowhere to store her bike. Hope she can strap it to someting solid!
Charlotte
This is so much better than a carrier bag over the seat. I’d love one!
Christopher
Really handy to keep the weather of my wife’s bike.
Hilary
OOOH I need this so much. Bike currently outside getting hammered by the elements & I’ve lost two covers to the violent wind that hurtles up the side of our house.
Giuseppe Caruso
One of my own…
Kevin Holland
My precious road bike is currently garaged but with a leaky roof. The Bike Parka would come in handy.
Great idea Bike Parka.
Fiona Hunt
Brilliant idea. Can’t the nk why it’s taken 200 years!
Fiona Hunt
Sorry misspelling in previous effort.
Brilliant idea. Can’t think why it’s taken 200 years!
Tom
This would be great to counter the noise and hassle of the tarpaulin and stall clips I currently use to cover my bike
Peter Clark
Would have come in handy today!
Paul Moran
My bike cover blew away in the wind recently 🙁
I need a new cover!
Caroline Toner
Just what I need to keep my new bike clean
James
Looks a useful item
Martha
Looks great!
plevyadophy
Great inTENT!! 😄
Wai
Looks great, just what I need
Tini Maher
Love how compact it is and the protection it would give to the bike! Looks well made too 👍👍👍
Damian Connaughton
Looks great for keeping the bike dry!
Greg
Parka me ride
and keep it dry
Mark B
Yes please. I’d love one
Craig S
Exactly what I need to keep my bike clean and dry! How did you know I was going to look for something like this this weekend!?
Jonathan Hunt
Would be great for our caravan holidays to give the bike added protection.
David Hunt
Very good simple idea I’m surprised it has taken so long for this to come in the market.
Rosemarie
Fathers day -Bikeparka a perfect gift- sorted. Seriously looking at Bike Vault for our office- great design.
Rachel Adams
Love ETA – love my bike – and she feels the cold so a Parka sounds just perfect!
Bill
I’m planning a cycle trip for later this year and one of these would come in very handy, I’m sure.
Joyce Edmond-Smith
I can’t carry my electric bike up front steps, so sometimes street is the only option , I and my bike desperately need the TLC of the Bike Parka
Ema
Good for winter 👍
Peter Chisnall
That’ll get it covered
Judy bedford
These would be great for the back of the camper van
Francis Voon
With one of these my bike will be covered.
Clive Jones
With 4 cyclists in the family I would need a lot of these, but 1 would be a start.
Frank Lee
dry bike?
David
Gives some privacy to the bike too.
Iain Shanks
Would be ideal for keeping bike dry.