Thanks everyone. We aren't specifically allowed to bring bikes into the building, but since I haven't used a locker (or commuted regularly) before, I wasn't sure if there are any drawbacks to using a locker outside or if I should ask if they'll revisit the indoor storage policy if I can find an appropriate place for my bike.

I have underground heated bike lock access in a parking garage. very nice for locking/unlocking in comfort, getting gear/lights organized, etc.. Plus it's another layer of security compared to outdoors. The downside is that in winter the corrosion process of melted snow or rain speeds up. But it's a good trade for a few bucks in replaceable parts. It's 5 bucks a month compared to a few hundred a month for a car, which is also a good trade.

When I worked for a summer at a research center for a big famous company, they had a covered outdoor bike shed where I'd lock my steel road bike. I no longer have that bike so if I were ever to go back to work there I'd have to weigh bringing my folder inside (folded of course) vs. locking it. I think I'd probably lock it. I don't know that I'd leave my carbon road bike in a common area like that -- too many ways for serious accidental frame damage to occur.

My workplace has indoor bike lockers, with 3 stages of security. You need a swipe card to get into the building, access code to get into the bike room, and a lock for your individual locker. I never worry about my bike at work.

Oh, and of course a very clean and nice shower room right next to the bike locker room.

:-)

My bike is stored in my office but I had lockers installed at one of our sites for the workers there. They are quite secure and I'd feel comfortable using them if I wasn't able to bring my bike inside with me.

One thing that surprised me. I knew there were a couple of commuters at that site so I purchased and installed 4 lockers. Quickly got requests from 6 people so I bought 4 more. Within a month I added another 4 and all 12 are taken. Haven't had any additional requests from that site but, as the area I set aside for the lockers only handled the 12, I'm looking for other locations for lockers in case we get additional requests.

I'm on a campus with lots of outside racks, but also a high risk of theft. I called the facilities department manager and asked for access to the locked mechanical/boiler room at the end of my hallway, so now I park the bike there every day. The facilities people go in sometimes, but they all know it's my bike and that I have permission to keep it there. They also know that if anyone nabbed it, the manager knows every person who has a key that opens that door, so that would be the end of their employment.

When I arrive on campus at the gym to shower and change for the day, I use a Kryptonite NY u-lock on the sheltered outside rack, but that's 30 minutes or so in full view of all the students exercising. A crow bar would be noticed.

If you have strict rules about bikes in the building, you're stuck, but otherwise ask the facilities people and maybe the IT people- they often have rooms for equipment and servers that have space for a bike and limited access.

Right now I can park my bike in my office, hanging it from a wall hook. When the company annexes the space next door after new year's there will be a dedicated bike parking room by the back door, with numerous wall hooks and probably a repair stand.

Wow, that sounds amazing. Though as something that I'd use regularly, I'd probably prefer a good pump to a repair stand, but a floor pump is a cheap addition you can make yourself if they're providing the repair stand.

We have a covered rack outside. In winter there's plenty of room, but in summer we're running short on available space, even with the 4 additional removable racks bought out. About 300 people in this building, room for about 35 bikes in racks. Additionally, a couple of bikes can be locked to other structures in the semi-secure, CCTV controlled yard.

Around here, bike lockers are mainly used in commuter train stations, to facilitate mixed mode commute. I can see the point there, but I think the covered rack is quite adequate at my workplace.

--J

My bike is six feet away, leaning against the office printer desk. That way, everybody in the office can admire it while they're not surfing the internet.

Also, the knowledge that everybody in the office knows I cycle to work helps develop that feeling of smug superiority that seems to be part of the commuter psyche.