Cycling to work is becoming increasingly common – 24% of Londoners cycled to work in 2022-3. Up from 21% in 2019-20. And with cities and government eyeing more sustainable transportation and planning, bicycle-friendly entrance design is becoming more important.
Whether it’s offices, commercial complexes or high-occupancy residential buildings, end of trip facilities are rising in popularity. But with little official guidance, we’re seeing cycle entrances with Entrance Matting which isn’t fit for purpose.
Here’s what to bear in mind, product specifications to look for and our tips for practical cycle entrances.
Why Consider Dedicated Cycle Entrances?
Bicycle tyres transport more water and dirt in bad weather, which can easily transfer to the rest of your building without proper care and attention. Without a dedicated cycle entrance, matting can get overwhelmed quickly, leading to unsafe flooring, unsightly entrances and expensive maintenance and cleaning operations.
Additionally, pedestrians and cyclists using the same entrance can get frustrated with obstructions or suffer from increased risk of collisions at busy periods.
The Practical Benefits of Bicycle-Friendly Entrance Design
✅Improve building security and bicycle storage access.
✅Separate bicycle traffic from the main entrance for safety and traffic flow.
✅Prevent slips and trips from wet or contaminated floors.
✅Reduce cleaning and maintenance costs throughout the building.
✅Protect internal flooring from increased moisture and dirt.
Bicycle Entrances for Enhanced Building Appeal
✅Support corporate sustainability goals and requirements for WELL and BREEAM certification.
✅Attract potential residents or employees.
✅Demonstrate commitment to active transportation and employee wellbeing.
✅Align with government initiatives for sustainable urban mobility.
✅Keep main entrances looking first-class
The dedicated cycle entrance at One Great Cumberland is a fantastic example of this, using INTRAflex XT and Waterlogic drainage. Considerate bicycle-friendly design and high-performance Entrance Matting specification can enhance both functionality and aesthetics.
Our project with AHMM at Ruskin Square is another example of architects incorporating cycle access using heavy-duty Entrance Matting within a premium office development. In this case, they specified INTRAbrush.
AHMM specified INTRAbrush for their bicycle-friendly entrance at Ruskin Square. One of our long-term partners and award-winning architects, beautifully prove again how they sensitively incorporate heavy-duty Entrance Matting into a premium office development.
Specifying the right Entrance Matting system for cycle entrances requires careful consideration of multiple factors. We’ve detailed these below/over the page. However, if you need further advice, INTRAsystems offer comprehensive support throughout the specification process. From technical guidance and sustainability documentation including EPDs, to product samples and specification reviews.
Contact us to discuss your specification or learn more about bicycle-friendly Entrance Matting products.
Key Design Considerations
Any bicycle-friendly entrance design needs to consider the shape, size and nature of bikes and their users. Function is the priority over form in this case, but there are still aesthetic opportunities and a variety of products to help you achieve a practical and polished entrance.
Here are our top tips to creating a bicycle-friendly entrance design.
Space
🚴Allow enough space for comfortable bicycle manoeuvring. Allocate space for two cyclists to walk alongside their bikes in opposite directions.
🛞Aim for a minimum 5-metres front-to-back to allow for two complete wheel rotations. The more matting you provide, the more water and dirt you can remove at source and keep the rest of the building in good condition.
👥Account for varied traffic patterns and peak commuting volume
– Think about the building’s use – is it a gym with multiple classes throughout the day with plenty of coming and going around the clock? Or an office where everyone arrives and departs at once?
– Do you need a larger jumping off point internally or externally as cyclists dismount?
– Do you need to funnel cyclists from a larger area to a smaller corridor?
💨Provide adequate ventilation for evaporation and to prevent foul odours or mould developing from dirty water.
Security and Access
🔓Integrate security systems that work with the ergonomics and practicalities of bike handling. RFID, proximity readers, automatic doors, barriers or gates would provide hands-free and easy access for cyclists while avoiding unauthorised access.
💦Automatic doors are practical for cyclists, but can let in more rain as they stay open for longer. Provide adequate drainage to moisture at the source.
Entrance Matting Performance
🔧Select open construction Entrance Matting to help collect water and prevent surface water.
📏Opt for a deep matwell with adequate drainage capability or plumbed pooling. Also consider direct weather exposure as doors are open longer to allow bikes and cyclists to pass through.
💧Choose a large surface area to promote evaporation.
🔗Wheeled traffic demands heavy-duty construction, so choose robust, impact-resistant materials which are durable enough to withstand a knock, or several, from bikes and their owners.
🚲Prioritise smooth edges to avoid tyre damage.
👞Non-slip surfaces are especially important for cycling footwear (cleats) and be mindful or transfer from rubber tyres and plastic cycling shoes to other floor substrates.
🧑🔧️Removable sections are easier to maintain and service.
⚫Dark colours look better for longer and hide wetter and dirtier sections.
Preparation and Installation
🔨Ensure Entrance Matting is level with surrounding flooring or has an appropriate ramped edge to avoid trips or damage to tyres.
⏫Provide the correct depth for the chosen drainage system.
🪚Prepare the subfloor and matwell appropriately – check with us if you’re in any doubt.
INTRAsystems Products Suitable for Cycle Entrances
INTRAsystems offer several solutions specifically suited for cycle entrances. Choose the right combination of system and insert for your needs, or contact us for advice.
Drainage is critical for cycle entrances because the aim is to remove moisture quickly before tracking through the building and making floors slippery. So, choose an Entrance Matting system with an open-construction and drainage.
INTRAmatting Waterlogic
Drainable matwell support system for high-moisture environments with extreme traffic traffic flow.
INTRAflow 💧
Heavy-duty recessed aluminium Entrance Matting for highly efficient moisture removal and drainage. Ideal for exposed areas with high footfall levels. Plank system eases install and maintenance.
INTRAflow Plus 💧
A wider version of INTRAflow for maximum moisture absorption. Plank system eases install and maintenance. Works with Waterlogic drainage system.
INTRAflex XT 💧
Heavy-duty recessed aluminium with removable sections for ease of maintenance. Suitable for high-traffic internal and external applications.
INTRAgrille XT
Architectural stainless steel Entrance Matting with outstanding visual appearance. Heavy-duty construction provides optimal dirt and moisture removal in high-traffic areas.
INTRAbrush
High-quality synthetic bristle brush system with aggressive scraping action. Ideal for external applications and extreme traffic levels with excessive soiling. Rollable for ease of maintenance. (Also available as an insert.) Wide range of colour options, including personalised designs or branding.
Key:💧 Compatible with INTRAmatting Waterlogic drainable matwell
Recommended Fibre Inserts:
Fibre inserts help remove moisture quickly by absorbing water directly from tyres and footwear, along with drips off clothing. Heavy-duty fibres often have tougher fibres which are good at scraping particles of dirt off tyres and footwear.
We recommend a combination of alternate fibre and rubber or brush inserts. The fibres absorb water while the rubber or brush reduce the fibres from getting flattened, so they perform at their best for longer. Otherwise, you’d need much more matting, or the water will just sit on top and transfer to other visitors and floor surfaces.
INTRAlux® Ultimate
Market-leading performance for moisture absorbency. Designed for Zone 2&3, inserts this technically innovative material absorbs quickly, drawing off 3x more moisture in the first step.
INTRAlux® Elite
Suitable for zones 2&3, this high-quality fibre is a great all-rounder, designed for applications where excellent scraping action is a priority. Keeps it sharp looks for years even with intensive commercial use.
Multi-directional Rubber
Rubber is ideal for external or exposed settings thanks to its anti-slip, hard-wearing, water- and oil-resistant qualities. The fine criss-cross ribbing helps to scrape dirt and debris, and can withstand traffic from any direction.
Brush
Designed to remove mud, grit, ice and snow from footwear and wheeled traffic. The hard-wearing nylon brushes scrape away heavy soiling from soles, studded and gripped footwear and tyre treads. It can perform at temperatures ranging from -25ºC to 40ºC, making it great for external or internal application.
Fine Brush
An alternative composition with smaller groups of bristles distributed across the insert. Offers the same scrubbing benefits for less intense soiling and with a more even and softer feel. Would be ideal for most urban cycle entrances.
Why Choose INTRAsystems for Your Cycle Entrance?
UK Specialists
As a dedicated Entrance Matting manufacturer, INTRAsystems brings unmatched specialist knowledge. And we design and manufacture all our products right here in the UK.
Expert Support
Our decades of practical experience mean we understand the unique challenges of creating effective entrance solutions. When you work with INTRAsystems, our expert UK-based customer support team provides comprehensive guidance – from specification through to installation and maintenance.
Sustainability
We build environmental responsibility into everything we do. Our commitment to sustainability extends from our manufacturing processes through to the product’s end of life. For more information download 12 Ways We Help You Meet Sustainability Commitments.
– 100% recycled aluminium, significantly reducing carbon footprint while maintaining superior performance.
– More than 80% of our fibre range is now made from 100% ECONYL® regenerated nylon from polluting plastic waste from all over the world. And our fibres are eligible for LEED® points.
– ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 accredited. And we carry out all UK production in accordance with the Waste Management Act.
– All our suppliers are similarly accredited, including 100% solar powered and carbon neutral plants.
– Whole-life carbon information with our Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs).
– We aim to recover, recycle and reuse raw materials whenever possible, and our regeneration contract achieves a 98% recovery rate.
– Hundreds of products to support BREEAM and LEED® points.
Engineered to Last
We design and manufacture our products to stand the test of time and thousands of feet and wheels. That’s why we’re confident to offer comprehensive warranties up to 15 years depending on the product and application.
We want your Entrance Matting to look great for years, so we provide detailed cleaning regime recommendations to help maintain optimal performance. To minimise environmental and economic impact, our systems feature replaceable components, so individual elements can be replaced, extending the overall lifespan while minimising waste.
The exceptional durability of INTRAsystems products means reduced environmental impact through fewer replacements and a lower lifetime cost of ownership. When you choose INTRAsystems, you’re investing in Entrance Matting that will perform beautifully for years to come.
Cycle Entrance Specification Checklist
✅ Bicycle-friendly access.
✅ Enough space for traffic volume and flow.
✅ Security measures.
✅ Open construction.
✅ Adequate drainage.
✅ Minimum 5m front-to-back.
✅ Heavy-duty system.
✅ High absorption and scrubbing fibres.
✅ Level installation (or appropriate ramping).
✅ Easy maintenance.
✅ Good ventilation
✅ Sustainable.
Your Entrance Matting Partner
Specifying the right Entrance Matting system for cycle entrances requires careful consideration. As Entrance Matting experts with decades of practical know-how, we’re perfectly placed to help you at every step. Whether you need product information, samples, specification support or our insider tups, we’re happy to share.