Bike parking portal keeps out the thieves

An unmanned bike parking solution has been developed which is so secure that even the most determined thief would be unable breach it, according to Meesons, the sole UK distributor of the new system.

The Bike Guardian has been designed to prevent bike theft, day or night, from a secure bicycle storage area. The Bike Guardian portal sits on the perimeter of the cycle parking area providing a secure entrance/exit.

The development of Bike Guardian was prompted by rising demand for secure bike parking facilities, says Iain Entwistle, product marketing manager at Meesons.

“Developments in infrastructure to create cycle routes and promotion cycle use is great news but cyclists still have concerns as to where they can securely leave their bikes whilst at work or at the shops,” he says. “People are spending large sums of money on bikes and one of the main reasons why people are put off cycling is the lack of secure cycling parking provisions.”

The Bike Guardian portal and tag system knows which authorised user is linked to which bike, meaning they can only leave the parking area with their own bike, says Iain Entwistle.

Each bike is fitted with a tag that only operates in conjunction with the user’s access  ID. The system requires users to go through a portal to reach the bike park, which can be within a building or in an outdoor area.

Bike Guardian comprises two doors either side of the portal, with only one door open at any one time. Bike Guardian has internal sensors that verify that only one bike is present. Any tag that is removed or sabotaged is automatically deactivated, explains Entwistle. The portal and tag system is designed with the ability to prevent tailgating should someone try to follow an authorised user. The anti-tailgating function is an optional feature that might be suitable for certain applications such as office developments.

Even with the anti-tailgating function in operation, three authorised users can transit the portal within a minute, Entwistle adds.

A combination of RFID sensors, weight cells and volumetric detection within the portal determines whether or not to allow access through the portal.

The Bike Guardian can be supplied pre-built or in kit form when building access is limited. “The portal can be recessed into the floor or flushed mounted to an existing floor to minimise any intrusive building works,” explains Entwistle.

Bike Guardian is well suited to a range of environments including residential developments, offices, universities and colleges, transport hubs and town centre cycle hubs, Entwistle points out. “The Bike Guardian provides a scalable solution – the cycle parking provision can be increased by extending the area that the Bike Guardian entrance secures.

“Bike Guardian is a bespoke solution and is priced on a project by project basis. Our sales team will be happy to discuss projects further and provide quotations.”

Meesons is the exclusive distributor for the Bike Guardian in the UK. The first Bike Guardian will be installed in a large office building in the City of London later this year, says Entwistle.

http://www.securityportalsbymeesons.co.uk/the-bike-guardian/