COVID-19:
Cycling
- Try Before You Bike
- Cycle parking
- Bike repairs and maintenance
- Cycling clubs
- Cycle training - free lessons for all Haringey residents
- Cycle skills tips from Transport for London
- Park to Park - Haringey schools mass cycle ride 2019
- Active Travel Community project funding
- Sky Ride Local
- It's quicker by bike!
- Cycle maps and cycling Guides
- Cycle safety and HGVs
- Cycle security
- Cycling facts - why it's good for you
- Cycling on pavement rules and fines
- Feedback opportunity
- Further cycling resources
Try Before You Bike - new scheme in Haringey
Are you thinking of cycling?
Then Try Before You Bike - the flexible bike scheme that will get you cycling might be for you!
- Trial a new or nearly new bike for a monthly fee from:
- £10 for kids | £20 for adults | £20 for folding | £50 for electric | £100 for e-cargo bikes
- Bike delivered directly to your door with a free cycle skills session to increase your confidence
- If you like the bike, buy at a discounted price or pay monthly until you own it
- Range of bikes to try with a helpful guide to selecting the right one for you
- All bikes come with lights, lock and helmet and you can add any other accessories you might need
- Maintenance and theft cover available for peace of mind
- Free delivery and collection. No deposit, interest or cancellation fees
Sign up with Peddle My Wheels who run the programme on our behalf:
- Find out more on the Peddle my wheels website (external link)
Cycle Parking
Encouraging more people to cycle is a vital part of our plan to tackle congestion, improve air quality, promote physical activity and improve accessibility. We are committed to the promotion of cycling as serious transport. As the number of people cycling increases, we recognise the need for safe and secure parking.
On street cycle parking - Sheffield Cycle Stand
We have invested heavily in cycle parking facilities over recent years and have installed over 1,500 publicly accessible on-street cycle parking spaces. We have installed cycle stands along town centres, outside shops, doctors surgeries, local underground and rail stations etc.
We install high quality Sheffield stands where there is a high demand for on-street cycle parking.
If you would like to suggest a location for a Sheffield cycle stand, please email us at cycle.parking@haringey.gov.uk with the proposed location, and we will try to install the Sheffield stand, subject to funding availability.
Secure residential cycle parking - Bikehangar
We have installed Bikehangars on a number of residential streets to accommodate demand for secure residential cycle parking. To date we have installed 95 in the borough.
They are half the length of a parking bay and can store up to six bicycles.
Applications for Bikehangar spaces are managed by Cyclehoop, the company that supplies and subsequently manages the arrangement. However, Cyclehoop will only start taking requests once a Bikehanagar has been installed. A maximum of two spaces can be allocated per person, but if a Bikehangar is under-utilised over a period of time, then Cyclehoop will issue additional spaces if required.
To apply for a space and for rental charges, contact Cyclehoop directly:
- Web: Cyclehoop website (external link)
- Email: rentals@cyclehoop.com
- Telephone: 020 8699 1338
How do I request one for where I live?
We are accepting requests for new Bikehangars but please be aware there is a long waiting list due to unprecedented demand.
Please send your request to cycle.parking@haringey.gov.uk - please include the following details:
- Full name
- Street name and number (including any flat numbers/letters)
- Postcode
- Telephone number
- Number of spaces requested (max two per household)
- Confirm if you are willing to have it located outside your property
Subject to funding availability, we select installation sites depending upon:
- The date a request is received
- Demand from residents
- Fair distribution throughout the wards in Haringey
Please note, due to the high demand for the Bikehangar facility, we are unable to contact you individually regarding the status of your request.
Proposed Bikehangar locations - 2020
We are pleased to inform you that we have funding for additional cycle parking facilities to be introduced in this financial year.
Our provisional timetable is:
- Bikehangar locations to be added to this years programme are likely to be selected by September
- Statutory consultation to start in October
- Installations are planned from January 2021
Car Bike Ports
We are currently trialling cycle parking racks in the shape of cars, known as Car Bike Ports, that are able to take ten bicycles in a single car parking space. The message is, "ditch the car and start cycling".
We have only one of these at the moment on Fortis Green Road. If successful we will install additional car bike ports in the borough, subject to funding availability.
Bike Repairs and Maintenance
Bike Maintenance is back in our parks! Social Distancing and government guidelines will be followed.
We are now able to offer free bike maintenance sessions in three of our parks. These will cover basic safety checks and maintenance - not a full service.
Our mechanics can advise on bigger projects, but cannot undertake major refurbishments. If you know you need a new tyre, pedal, bell, brake pads etc, please bring the item with you.
All sessions will be held on Sundays from 2pm to 4pm and take place near the park cafés.
Locations, dates and times
- Finsbury Park, N4 - 12 July, 9 August, 13 September, 11 October
- Priory Park, N8 - 26 July, 23 August, 27 September, 25 October
- Bruce Castle Park, N22 - 19 July, 16 August, 29 September, 18 October
To help you with your bike repairs, we have this very useful booklet that may help you get through until we can support you again in person:
You may also get support for bike maintenance to keep your wheels spinning from your local bike shop and independent maintenance teams such as Finsbury Cycles (external link), Rockstone Cycling Hub (external link) in Lordship Rec and Bikes for Good Causes (external link) in Wood Green.
If you’re looking to get your bike checked over after carrying out your own repairs, or simply want to ensure your bike is safe and performing at its best, then head over to your local Halfords store (external link) and they’ll perform a bike assessment free of charge.
Cycling clubs
Pedal Power
Pedal Power is a cycling club for teenagers and adults with learning disabilities based in Finsbury Park.
The club is supported Smarter Travel programme in 3 local boroughs. For more information about Pedal Power visit the Pedal Power website (external link).
Wheely Tots
Wheely Tots is a registered children’s charity that believes all children should be healthy, confident and resilient. Wheely Tots make this possible by providing inclusive, friendly and rewarding family oriented events and sessions. They specialise in parent and toddler balance bike sessions from age 14 months upwards, and provide tools, support and help for the whole family.
Visit the Wheely Tots website (external link) to find out more, including when and how to book.
Your Bike Project
Check with the operating group regarding the current Covid 19 crisis, it is highly likely this is on hold at this time.
Your Bike Project is a new cycling club in Tottenham - get involved in this!
Gain hands-on, fun cycling skills and help your friends and family to get active. Your Bike Project host empowering cycle sessions that unlock new talents through relaxed peer-to-peer learning, where you’re encouraged to share your practical skills with your wider community. Be inspired by qualified cycle trainers and mechanics, and pick up a range of skills – mending, fitting and riding bikes as well as journey planning. Tools and bikes provided, or bring your own.
Your Bike Project is based on Broadwater Farm and Northumberland Park Estate, and is open to young people and their family members. To join in, visit the Your Bike Project website (external link).
Cycle Training
We are once again able to offer cycle training for intermediate level cyclists. Unfortunately the most recent government and World Health Organisation guidance says we are unable to train complete beginners at the moment.
We will review and change these measures as and when necessary and will update this page.
To book a cycle skills training session, please visit the Cycle Confident website (external link) or phone 020 3031 6730.
Children
We know that parents are also keen to get their children cycling and there is a lot of advice online. Children aged between 2 and 3 really enjoy using balance bikes - they usually gain a lot of confidence this way and progress straight onto two wheels with no stabilisers.
We recommend that first you check that any bike you plan to use is the right size for your child. Adjust the seat to allow them to have their feet on the floor. The Active For Life website (external link) has some good cycle skill tips.
We recommend checking the Haringey Safer Cycling Book (PDF, 5MB), offering excellent tips and advice on travelling by bike, from adjusting height to road skills.
Don't forget to also check our Summer Activities booklet for more training opportunities for our younger cyclists.
If you cannot download the booklet in this section, please email smarter.travel@haringey.gov.uk to receive a printed copy.
Cycle skills training tips from Transport for London
Some people may need to refresh their cycle skills, or to gain some tips and training before embarking on a first ride.
Transport for London (TfL) has created an online training module that is free for anyone to sign up and complete to improve your basic skills to feel more confident.
You'll learn:
- How to get you and your cycle prepared for the road
- How to start cycling on the road safely and responsibly
- How to brush up on your cycling skills
- How to cycle in a group with children
It’s an online training module that’s free for anyone to sign up and complete.
Visit the TfL website (external link) to find out more.
Park to Park Haringey Schools Mass Cycle Ride 2019
Each year we support our schools on a led ride around the borough to celebrate Bike Week. School teams are escorted to Lordship Recreation ground to join in a mass ride through our parks and finally ending at Alexandra Palace.
Last year 160 pupils, parents, teachers, cycle trainers and police officers cycled together, showing that cycling around the borough is healthy, quick, fun and free - watch that below:
You can also see the video from the Schools Mass Cycle Ride 2017 (External link)
Active Travel Community Project Funding
The Smarter Travel Team has now awarded the funding for the Active Travel Projects, look on our Smarter Travel page to see who was successful. The funding has now been awarded but the projects are on hold, pending government instructions to allow them to continue.
Sky Ride Local
Sky Ride - organised rides for men, women and children (depending on cycling level)
It is highly likely that this scheme has been suspended due to the crisis.
Please visit the Sky Ride website (external link) to find out more about Sky Ride and to join an organised ride. For further information about rides around the UK visit the British Cycling website (external link).
Breeze Rides
- For women only. Please check Breeze Rides - British Cycling website (external link) for more information.
Guide for choosing suitable rides
- Easy rides along relaxed, mostly traffic-free routes suitable for all abilities and ages
- Steady rides set at a comfortable pace, on mainly quiet roads with plenty of sights, possibly modest hills, and possibly some modest hills
- Challenging ride over a good distance with a few hills
See more information on these and other active lifestyle activities on our Walk, Run and Cycle page
It's quicker by bike!
A four mile trip in London takes on average:
- 40 Minutes by car
- 30 Minutes by public transport
- 22 Minutes by bike
Cycle Maps and Cycling Guides
Haringey has a network of cycle routes across the borough including cycle lanes on main roads, separated cycle lanes and special fully signed, quiet routes.
Haringey is part of the London Cycle Network and the London Cycle Guide provides a map of our on and off road cycle routes.
Cycle Safety and HGVs
London Cyclists Survival Guide:
- Be Seen – Wear something bright, use lights and make eye contact with other road users
- Protect Yourself – Wear a helmet and other appropriate clothing
- Get Trained – We offer bikeability cycle training. See the Haringey page on the Cycling Confident website (external link), or call 020 3031 6730
- Never position yourself between the left of a large vehicle and the kerb - especially at junctions
Lorries and HGVs have significant blind spots where cyclists are invisible. Read The London Cycling Campaign's page on cycling near HGVs (external link) to find out more about avoiding this hazard.
- Download our Look Out for Each Other leaflet (PDF, 450KB), promoting awareness and respect for other road users
Cycle Security
Cycle Security - Keep your bike secure
Know your frame number
- Usually this is on the bottom bracket of the frame (external link) - write it down. Nearly 75% of people reporting bicycle thefts to the police do not know their frame number
Register your bike
- Register your bicycle model, make and frame number on the BikeRegister website (external link) This will help the police to return any recovered bikes to the rightful owner. Our Smarter Travel team and the Police have regular free bike security marking events - contact smarter.travel@haringey.gov.uk for further information
- Three bike shops around Crouch End are offering a free Bike Register Service:
- Future Cycles N8 8LA and MiCycle N4 4ED - details are on in the Bike Security Marking leaflet (PDF, 146KB)
Locking your bike
- Before visiting a bike shop check Sold Secure website (external link) to see which locks are the most secure. Expect to pay £40+ for a secure lock. To best protect your bike from theft use two locks and always lock both wheels and the frame to the stand. There are more bike security tips on TfL's page about avoiding bike thefts (external link).
- Leave your bike somewhere where everyone can see it or in a well lit area covered by CCTV
Get insurance
- Check if your home insurance already covers your bicycle when it is away from your home. Also check that the total value of your bike is covered
Don’t buy a stolen second hand bike
- Make sure you get proof of ownership and check the frame number on the BikeRegister website (external link). If you register your bike with BikeRegister you have an increased chance of having your bike returned to you if it is stolen. Visit the website for details on how to get your bike on their database.
Cycling Facts - why it's good for you
- Cycling, even along flat ground, burns 400 calories in one hour
- Improves your strength, stamina and cardio-vascular fitness. Cycling helps to lower both blood pressure and the resting heart rate
- Shed those unwanted pounds. A cycle ride increases calorie consumption and raises the metabolic rate, which can help to lose weight
- Cycling is friendlier for your joints; less pressure is put on your joints than when running
- Reduces stress and helps to combat depression; improves your confidence and mental capacities
Cycling on Pavements Rules and Fines
You can only cycle on the footway if it is clearly signposted and classified by the borough as a foot and cycle way. If there are no signs, then it is an offence that carries a £50 fine. You can check the law on the GOV.UK website (external link).
Feedback Opportunity
We are keen to listen. Please email us at smarter.travel@haringey.gov.uk to provide feedback about cycling in Haringey. We are looking at ways to make cycling in Haringey more enjoyable and safer.
Further Cycling Resources
| Document title | File type | File size |
|---|---|---|
| Finsbury Park Cycle Parking | 1MB | |
| London Docklands and Lea Valley Map | 2MB | |
| Cycle Action Plan | 82KB |
The London Borough of Enfield website (external link) also has some useful information including maps and cycle routes for their borough linking directly with Haringey.
