Autumn signals to cyclists that it’s time to dig out base layers, hats, gloves and extra lights. But what about protecting your bicycle from the ravages of winter?
Keeping a bicycle under cover protects it from wet weather and prying eyes, but with urban areas short on garages and sheds, for many it’s easier said than done. When a manufacturer of tents was challenged to address the problem, the result was Bike Parka – 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 Bike Parka offers a technical alternative to the basic tarpaulin. Manufactured from rip-stop, the lightweight material used to fabricate sails, parachutes and kites, the Bike Parka 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 less than £30. See bikeparka.com
Win a Bike Parka
We have a Bike Parka Urban in blue worth £40 to give away. To be in with a chance of winning, simply leave us a comment at the bottom of this page and let us know what type of bike you’d use it to cover.
The ethical choice
The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. Over 30 years on, we continue to offer cycle insurance, breakdown cover and mobility scooter insurance while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.
The Good Shopping Guide judges us to be the UK’s most ethical provider.
Darren C
Just bought a brand new Hybrid with hydraulic disc brakes and if I were to be the lucky winner it would be used to protect this, just happens to be blue too. Coincidence?
Sarah
I would use it to cover my Dawes Sardar
peter lawson
Bike Parka is the perfect choice for our hard Scottish winter. I will carefuĺly protect my vintage Orange c16r with this fabulous cover.
Craig
I’d use it on my daily commuter, a Ribble Audax.
Jon Pennycook
This would be useful when on holiday to keep my bike dry at campsites
SAMANTHA Murtagh
My AMAZING Liv Envie called Tiny. He is by my side come rain or shine
Gavin Wright
I’d be using it to make my emtb cosy-cosy 🙂
Carl Bridgman
I have a Cyclemax electric bike which I love – and for that reason would very much appreciate the Bike Parka.
Tim Newcomb
This would be perfect for my winter mtb 😊
Aneesa
I’d protect my Hybrid Bike (Carrera) that I use for transport around the city…
Sam
I’ve literally just thrown my bike cover away, it had a massive hole in it due to the wind. Need a proper cover for my bike and this would do nicely.
Helen
I have a amazing gravel bike – Genesis Croix de Fer – but need to keep it covered from the sea salt laden air!
Karen Watson
As a woman I feel so much more confident cycling now that I have your cycle insurance as I know you will get me home safely if I have a problem.
Helen
This bike parka will keep my traditional ladies touring bike free from the winter blues in readiness for fine weather rides.
Will Reid
I’d use it to cover my Cube eBike. I am just getting back into cycling after a nasty episode of mental ill health and cycling is helping me greatly to feel better and cope with the nights drawing in.
Adam
I’d use on my daily commuter, which is a Hybrid Merida Speeder.
Jill Magee
Would love this for the bike that gives me so much freedom and fun
Peter
I’d use it on my 2008 Specialized hybrid. It’s been a proper workhorse on my commute over the last 13 years and frankly it deserves a little TLC
Gavin
It would beat the polyphene I have wrapped over my two machines.
Sian M Evans
I’d use it to cover either my cargo trike or my orange Raleigh!
Jane Reid
This cover looks super. Just what I need for keeping my bike dry when parked up.
Stan
I’d use it for my commuting bike, last one kicked it due to rust, good idea to protect it!
Philip
Given the way energy prices are rocketing, I might need to wrap myself in the bike Parka with my bike this winter……
Mark B
The roof has been taken off the bike shelter at work so this could never have been more useful! Mine is a road bike with panniers.
Bryn Gwyndaf Jones
What couldn’t be nicer!
John Auric
When it gets a bit “parky” – it’s time to reach for the “Parka”
Sue
I would use the bike parka to cover my carrera crossfire e-bike
Andy Dark
I would use it with my Specialized electric bike. Had it three years now… and it still makes smile when i press down on pedal and accelerate off so quickly
Yousaf Mirza
Mommy, a cosy and dry bike. Would help me to keep the pride and joy well maintained.
Pamela
I’d gift it to my son for his daily commute
Francesca
Ooooo… my almost brand new Oxford Bike Works tourer. The time has come to leave it’s very own room indoors, definitely a rite of passage!
Mary
Would love one if these for my journeys with my Trek bike on the back of the car!
Jim W
This would keep my Boardman hybrid cosy all winter!
Hilary
Yes pleeeeaase! No easily accessible covered storage available at home for my hybrid bike, and if I have to wrestle it in and out of the shed that’s already full, then carry it down steps and over a patio and down some more steps, that’s a massive disincentive to ride to work! So only sensible option is to leave it locked outside, at the mercy of the elements 😬
Mariana
I’d use it for my Decathlon tilt 500
JohnB
I would use it on my lovely green Dawes Mean Street hybrid 🙂
Steve H
I’ve recently completed LEJOG on my old Mongoose Amasasuper hard tail mountain bike & thought it deserved a treat for getting me through the 1026 miles 🙂
Richard
This would go over our everyday bike which has a child seat and save me using up all our plastic bags to keep seats dry!
Alistair Leith
My winter cyclocross bike
Helen
This would be perfect for my Bridgestone angelino bike. It has an integrated baby seat which makes it a bit too bulky to fit in the shed so it has to live outside. Would keep the baby’s (and my!) bum dry!
Lucy
Here comes the rain again…
J R
I’d use it on my new Dirt Jumper as it lives outside and not allowed in the house.
CraigS-A
This would be great for protecting my hybrid trekking bike from the weather overnight when touring.
Peter Chisnall
That would be my bike covered!
Jamie Johnson
Hybrid mi lady…
Chris Bromwich
If its raining really hard while out and about maybe stop and put over bike and rider and wait for a gap in the rain 🙂
james Turnbull
i`d use it to cover my expensive ebike to keep it out of sight of thieves.
Jonathan B
I’d cover my electric Raleigh bike – got to keep those circuits dry in the Glasgow climate now the weather’s getting worse!
Martin Baker
Will be very useful when I park my 26” folder at the office.
Peter G
parka for a recumbent
Chris
It’s my pride and joy my daily ride, A Surly Disc Trucker.
Gillian
I think my lovely classic Ernie Clements racer deserves a cover like this.
Andy Brown
I’d use it to cover my only bike – a Ridgeback Velocity 14 (insurance covered with ETA btw!)
Paul E
This would be super for keeping the bikes dry and cosy over the winter. Yes please.
Fred
Almost a tent!
Kevin Holland
Last year I purchased a giant room disc hybrid. Currently in the bike shed. It is very difficult yo get the bike in and out, due to the extremely large handlebars and two other bikes in there. Looking at tethering it up outside, locked up and the bike cover would be a good idea for my bike to protect it.
Graham Corfield
This sounds just what I need for my Specialized Sequoia adventure bike!! Its just the addition I need.
Clive Jones
I would use this to show my gravel bike a little love inbetween the regular torture sessions it gets.
Dave A
Pack it up (my daily 90s old school 8 speed steel frame) on those horrid days – keeping things running, winter is coming!
Ema
Good way to keep my bike dry.
Huw Thomas
Giant bike, used every day.
Margaret
Brilliant idea! I would use it to cover my Volt e-bike, which replaced my traditional tourer 2 years ago and has enabled me to keep riding more through the lockdown. Glad the cover has a slot for a lock, that is vital, and it would be securely locked whenever left.
Bazza
It would be ideal to cover my trusty Paul Hewitt touring cycle. It deserves a good winter coat after all the miles it has carried me.
Martin Baker
I’d use it to cover my Dahon Cadenza at work.
Christopher
If lucky enough to win this cover I would use it to protect my Pelago commuter from the oncoming winter weather.
Jane Churchill
This would be a fantastic winter coat to cover my son’s road bike which needs a bit of comfort after many year’s of faithful use.
Pete G
Perfect to keep my wheels snug and dry through the winter
Kate Oliver
Park my Perky Condor Tourer when Pouring and Parky in Urban Bristol Under a Blue Bike Parka, Please!
Hubert W
I’d use it to cover my Carrera road bike
Colin
my son has to keep his bike outside so I would give it him if I won