Cycling in Tower Hamlets
Cycling is an efficient, cheap, healthy, non-polluting mode of
transport. Tower Hamlets Council wishes to encourage cycling to
help improve mobility, reduce traffic congestion, and improve
health in the borough.
Free adult cycle training and cycle buddying scheme
Anyone who works, studies or lives in Tower Hamlets can take
advantage of the free adult cycle training scheme.
The scheme offers one on one (although if preferred trainees can
book in pairs) sessions with a qualified cycle instructor rather
than in a group. This type of programme allows for
more time with a cycling instructor than if training takes place in
a large group. For those who would prefer a female cycling
instructor this can be arranged upon request.
The scheme has been altered so that sessions are available at a
time and day of the week that suits you (within normal Monday -
Saturday working hours).
Cycle training sessions last for one hour and for most beginners
will be based in the safety of Victoria Park where our training
provider, Bikeworks, is located. If you prefer, 2 hour sessions are
available allowing more time to develop your skills. For
more experienced cyclists training sessions can be arranged to
start from a different location within Tower Hamlets that suits
your requirements.
We are now also able to offer cycle buddying
training once you are at a competent level to cycle on the
road. This scheme pays for a professional instructor to ‘buddy’ you
on a useful journey (e.g. home to work), helping you to understand
and cycle the safest and most convenient route. Each participant is
entitled to one such hourly session.
For further information on these schemes visit Bikeworks or to book a cycle
training/cycle buddying session email cycletraining@bikeworks.org.uk
or call them on 020 8980 7998.
If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to
contact Sam Margolis, Tower Hamlets Council Active
Travel Officer, on 020 7364 6707 or sam.margolis@towerhamlets.gov.uk
Remember, if you work, live or study in Tower Hamlets the cycle
training programme and cycle buddying training is free for you to
use!
Cycle routes
Our own consultation with residents has told us that 15 per cent
of non-cyclists in Tower Hamlets would start cycling if there were
more safe cycle lanes available.
The council is committed to new cycle routes being introduced
wherever possible, in accordance with London wide initiatives. This
work is taking place in partnership with adjoining boroughs and the
Lea Valley Regional Park Authority.
We have made the safety and convenience of cyclists a priority
in the design and implementation of all new traffic management
measures and new developments.
Most recently we have worked with
Transport for London on bringing 'Cycle Superhighway Route 3'
through the Borough, running from Tower Gateway through Tower
Hamlets on route to Barking. As part of this we are installing new
cycle parking along the route, holding awareness raising events and
providing free Dr. Bikes and cyclists breakfasts. Use this
link to download details of the Dr Bike
sessions (pdf, 78.83 kb)
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Cycle map
Use this link to access a cycle
map (pdf, 1.5 mb) of the borough.
(You need Adobe Acrobat to view the map, which you
can download for free)
All Ability Cycling
We are committed to supporting anyone in
the borough who wishes to cycle. We fund and support Bikeworks’ All
Ability Cycling Club which takes place every fortnight on Saturdays
in Victoria Park between 1pm and 3pm. There are a range of bicycles
available for participants, including hand cycles, wheelchair
bicycles, tandems, scooters, two wheelers and much more. Specially
trained cycle instructors who have experience of working with
children, young people and adults with learning and/or mobility
impairments help ensure a rewarding and fun experience for all
those who come to the Club. To find out more see http://www.bikeworks.org.uk or
call 020 8980 7998.
Cycling and walking newsletters
Find out more about the latest cycling and walking schemes in
Tower Hamlets:
Summer 2010
(pdf, 244 kb)/
Spring 2010
(pdf, 200 kb)/
Autumn 2009
(pdf, 232 kb)/
February
2009 (pdf, 278 kb)/
Community led cycling projects
As part of the Healthy Borough programme Tower Hamlets Council
and NHS Tower Hamlets are funding a number of 'Community Led'
cycling projects in the Borough, encouraging more people to cycle
more often in our local communities. The details of these projects
are shown below:
1. Cycle FIT - The Jagonari Centre
The Jagonari Centre operates a cycling initiative for mainly
Muslim women of Bangladeshi background. The project provides
regular cycling sessions for women for whom access is only possible
because of the female-only environment and supports them until they
have increased confidence to cycle publicly. Monthly group rides
are also available, coupled with healthy picnics that are home-made
by learners and competitively judged for taste and health by a
panel of professionals and lay people. For more details contact The
Jagonari Centre on 020 7375 0520 or visit them at 183-185
Whitechapel Road, E1 1DW.
2. Cycle 4 Health - The Tower Hamlets Cycling Club
This project promotes cycling for health through free, weekly
cycling sessions. Bikes are available for use during the
sessions which incorporate:
- cycling skills
- basic maintenance
- healthy eating advice
Advice is also given on purchasing bikes cheaply through local
recycling schemes. The project brings together families for rides
in parks, along canal towpaths and local cycle-ways, enabling
riders to explore the wealth of leisure cycling routes available
locally. Participants gain skills and confidence to make cycling a
regular part of their exercise, making active travel an established
part of their health routine. For more details contact Janice
Djelloul at Janice.djelloul@yahoo.co.uk
3. Family Bike Club - Bikeworks
Bikeworks is establishing a family cycling club within the
borough by recruiting an ethnically diverse group of families and
utilising existing relationships with schools in the borough to do
this. The club enables families to engage in a range of cycling
activities, giving participants the chance to:
- Learn key skills, including road safety and assertive
cycling
- Participate in weekly family group cycle rides around Tower
Hamlets which provide the opportunity for exercise for all the
family
There is also the opportunity to socialise with other families
in the local community. For further details visit www.bikeworks.org.uk or email
info@bikeworks.org.uk or
call 020 8980 7998.
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Further information