Many people have heard that sitting for long periods is bad for your health and have started various initiatives to incorporate alternative styles of office furniture. From yoga balls, to standing desks and treadmill desks, the ideas are plentiful. Personally I like my bike desk.
This bike desk is used not only as a bike, but also as a standing desk from the opposite side. I have the option to sit, sit & peddle, or just stand. It’s adjustable in height, speed and difficulty. I feel so productive when I use it!
Step 1: Find a Bike
This is probably going to be the hardest step as it takes some searching for something that fits in your budget. My budget was FREE, so everything is what I had on hand or diverted from the land fills.
"My budget was FREE, so everything is what I had on hand or diverted from the land fills."
My parents told me they weren't using their bike, so I was given a basic exercise bike. It works, is sturdy & adjustable. Find one you are comfortable with.
Step 2: Adjust the Bike
Adjust the height & angle of the seat so you can sit up straight & peddle comfortably. If your seat cannot be angled, put something under the base of the bike, but make sure it is sturdy and will not compromise the safety of the bike. I used scrap wood to lift the front.
"Adjust the height & angle of the seat so you can sit up straight & peddle comfortably."
Sit on the seat and rotate/flip the handles until they are flat enough to hold a table top, but high enough to not get in the way of your knees when you peddle.
Remove any pieces that may be in the way and not needed. In this case, the display could be unplugged & removed.
Step 3: Find a Table Top
Finding something appropriate for the table top can be a challenge. It needs to be wide enough to extend over the handles, flat on one side to write on and sturdy enough to not bend or break when you put weight on it.
At first I used a 2” thick wooden cutting board until I found a broken table a neighbour was about to throw away.
Step 4: Attaching the Table Top
Each table top & bike pair will be unique.
I noticed holes in the frame where the display used to be, which are great for attaching part of the table top. I added a couple nails to prevent slipping forward or backward. I tied some yarn around the nail and through the holes to attach the front.
The sides of the table top had wooden braces on the underside. This was perfect to tie some yarn around. The more yarn, ribbon or string, the more support. I only show a couple, but you can add more.
"The more yarn, ribbon or string, the more support."
Make sure the top is level from left to right, but you can angle it front to back based on personal preference.
Step 5: Finishing Touches
There are many options to add your own finishing touches.
I went with leftover fabric from the trade show table cloths I made. I cleaned up the corners by pinning them with safety pins and added a curved plastic mesh pencil holder in the front.
What would YOU do to customize your bike desk?
"What would YOU do to customize your bike desk?"
Things To Remember:
Reuse – Try to use things that are just “laying around” before you go out and buy something new. You’d be surprised at what you already have.
Keep it safe – Make sure the desk doesn’t wobble and be sure to connect the table top to the bike, or things could fall & break.
Ergonomics – Sit up straight without too much labour, try to keep your elbows at 90% and wrists inline with your forearms. This may require a different thickness or height of table top.
Movement - Our bodies crave movement. Don't use a bike desk all day long either. Get up, walk around, sit down, do other tasks. It's all about changing it up!
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Laura Lake :)
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