Cycling
- Try Before You Bike
- Cycle Parking
- Bike Repairs and Maintenance
- Holiday Cycling Courses
- Cycling Clubs
- Cycle Training - free lessons for all Haringey residents
- Park to Park - Haringey schools mass cycle ride 2019
- Active Travel Community Project Funding
- Sky Ride Local
- Cycle Ride for Finsbury Park's 150 year celebration - 10 August
- 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?
The Try Before you Bike Scheme allows you to try a bike for under £20 month! Simple and affordable, it's like hire purchase without the commitment. Just choose your new bike and accessories using the helpful online tools. The bike gets delivered and you will even get a free cycling skills session to get you started.
Pay the monthly fee until you either own the bike, or return the bike!
- Monthly fee of under £20 for standard bike (affordable)
- Bike can be returned anytime after one month (flexible)
- Home/work delivery of fully fitted bike including accessories (perfect for beginners)
- Personalised two hour training session on delivery (giving you confidence to ride)
- Dedicated cycle mentor for on-going support and advice (support)
- Wide range of bikes to select from (choice)
- Comprehensive insurance and maintenance packages available (security)
- Easy to use online order system (easy)
Requests for electric bikes may attract a greater monthly payment amount.
Peddle My Wheels run the programme on behalf of Haringey Council.
Please visit the Peddle my wheels website (external link) for more information and to sign up.
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 who cycle 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 64 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 who 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.
As part of our 2019/20 Cycle Parking Works Programme, we have funding to install 11 more Bikehangars around the borough. The Statutory Notification document below contains details of where we are proposing to place the Bikehangars:
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
Pop-up bike maintenance dates for this summer season have now been published.
Download a copy of the current Pop-up bike maintenance dates - 2019 (PDF, 235KB).
Our mechanics will be able to assist with minor issues, such as adjusting your brakes, gears and assisting with punctures. If your bike needs more than this, bring your own parts with you and they'll try to help.
Important: they may not be able to perform major work on your bike, but should be able to give you good advice.
Bruce Castle Park - all sessions 2-4pm unless stated
28 July | 25 August | 22 September | 27 October
Finsbury Park - all sessions 2-4pm unless stated
10 August (Finsbury Park 150 Years Celebration) | 11 August | 15 September | 6 October
Priory Park - all sessions 2-4pm unless stated
21 July | 18 August | 8 September | 20 October
River Park House - 12 noon-2pm
1 August | 5 September | 3 October
You may also get support for bike maintenance to keep your wheels spinning from your local bike shop and independent maintenance teams such as Rockstone in Lordship Rec and Bikes for Good Causes on Green Lanes.
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. Halfords - book your free appointment (external link)
Holiday Cycling Courses
Our successful holiday courses have just finished. If you missed out, you can still apply for individual and group sessions through Cycle Confident, or look out for our October half term holiday information (coming soon).
All our cycle skills training courses are for anyone that lives, works, or is educated in Haringey - everyone welcome, 9 to adults.
Cycling clubs
Pedal Power
Pedal Power is a cycling club for teenagers and adults with learning disabilities based in Finsbury Park. The club is part funded by the Smarter Travel programme. 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.
Cycle Training - free lessons for all Haringey residents
Cycle Confident
- Cycle Training for those who wish to cycle to school with confidence. Level 1 and 2 Bikeability courses are designed to give trainees the skills needed to make a journey to and from school on quiet roads (two hours per day).
- Please book online on the Cycle Confident website (external link), or contact them on 020 3031 6730
Throughout the year we also offer the following:
If you live, work or study in Haringey and are aged 9 years or older (including adults), you can book on to our cycle skills training course absolutely free of charge! Courses are run by Cycle Confident:
For further information visit Cycle Confident's website (external link) or call: 020 3031 6730.
Changes to the National Bikeability Website
The Department for Transport (DfT) have released two new Bikeability websites, one for schools and parents (external link) and a second for professional trainers (external link). The launch of the new websites provides DfT and the wider Bikeability community with an opportunity to encourage more people to find out about Bikeability/child cycle training.
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:
Note for iPhone users and Youtube. There is a known bug with iOS and Youtube, Two buttons are read before the player but provide no functionality. We advise that you skip these to access the content.
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.
Sky Ride Local
Sky Ride - organised rides for men, women and children (depending on cycling level)
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
Cycle Ride for Finsbury Park's 150 year celebration - 10 August
We celebrated Finsbury Park's 150th anniversary on 10 August. Many activities took place in the park including a fun cycle ride for all ages and abilities. The cycle ride went from Lordship Rec to Finsbury Park.
The ride was led by trained instructors and was open to anyone who lives, works or studies in Haringey.
See the Finsbury Park Family Cycle Ride leaflet (PDF, 717 KB) for more information.
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. A new map is being worked on.
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:
- Evans Cycles N8 8DH, 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.
