Why local journeys are better by bike

By Emilie Charlesworth, the Sustrans officer responsible for cycle promotion in Redbridge.

With warmer weather finally upon us, now is the time to think about making more local journeys by bike. When you consider that most car journeys in outer London are under four miles, and that these journeys are the biggest contributors to traffic congestion and air pollution in our communities, choosing to cycle – to the shops, to school or to visit friends – really makes sense.  When you cycle, you know exactly how long your journey will take, every time – and you’ll be saving money and getting some exercise all at once!

The Redbridge Smarter Travel team has been working with sustainable transport charity Sustrans since 2011. We offer a range of initiatives to help you make more of those local journeys by bike.

Free cycle training

Free one-to-one training is available to all adults and children living and working in Redbridge. These lessons are ideal for complete beginners, or cyclists looking to improve their confidence on the road. Contact 0845 431 8451 or phil@cycleexperience.com to book your free lessons.

Free bike servicing and repairs

We will service your bike, and repair or replace inner tubes, pads and cables, all for free. On the first Sunday of every month, find us between 11am and 3pm at the Wanstead Farmers Market on Wanstead High Street. You can also drop by for help with route planning or to pick up some local cycling maps and leaflets.

Bike maintenance courses

We regularly run free bike maintenance courses where you can learn how to repair your own bike. Contact 07584 078 744 or emilie.charlesworth@sustrans.org.uk for details of forthcoming sessions.

Recycles

Recycles, a pilot project hosted by The Salvation Army in Ilford (www.salvationarmy.org.uk/lne/Illford), helps homeless people gain work experience and bike maintenance skills under the supervision of a bike mechanic.

 Bikes from the Chigwell Road Reuse and Recycle Centre and the borough's Safer Transport Team are reconditioned then sold to the public, with the revenue going directly back into the project. To find out more about Recycles, contact Julie Ward, Travel Plan Coordinator, at smarter.travel@redbridge.gov.uk or on 020 8708 3925.

Free cycle lockers

If you find that you don’t cycle as much as you would like to because of a lack of accessible, convenient storage for your bike, our cycle storage scheme may be able to help. This is part of a Transport for London funded project. Email emilie.charlesworth@sustrans.org.uk to find out more or to apply.

Free panniers through the local shopping scheme

The Biking Borough Shops scheme on Wanstead High Street rewards people who cycle to the local shops. Make a purchase in any participating Biking Borough shop to get a stamp; collect twenty stamps and get a free Ortlieb bike pannier to carry the shopping home in! For a list of participating shops, visit bikingboroughshops.wordpress.com and pick up your card today. This scheme is funded through Transport for London’s Biking Borough project, which supports cyclists in the ‘cycling hub’ area of Wanstead, Snaresbrook and South Woodford. 

Holiday Cycling Clubs

Our popular cycling sessions at the Wanstead Leisure Centre are now in their second year, and run during half-term, Easter and summer holidays. Children aged 5 to 13 can come along to enjoy free cycle skills training, games sessions, led rides and basic bike maintenance lessons. The next Cycling Club sessions will run from 10am to 12 noon on Tuesday 28 May, Wednesday 29 May and Thursday 30 May. Contact emilie.charlesworth@sustrans.org.uk or 07584 078 744 for details or to book a place.

Events

Our partnership with British Cycling is in its second year, and Skyrides will be back in the Borough this summer. See www.goskyride.com/redbridge for routes and dates.

Throughout the summer, the Smarter Travel team will be running free Dr Bike sessions and training days across the borough. Check www.redbridge.gov.uk/cycling or contact Julie Ward at smarter.travel@redbridge.gov.uk or on 020 8708 3925 for details.

What’s stopping you?

The most common reason for not wanting to cycle is not feeling safe on busy roads – but you don’t need to cycle the same way that you would drive! We can plan a route for you that uses quiet roads or designated cycle paths that you may be unaware of; we can provide free cycle training to boost your confidence; and we can even arrange for an instructor to ride your regular route with you until you feel comfortable riding it alone – all for free. In addition, you can find local cycling maps on www.redbridge.gov.uk/cycling. Contact emilie.charlesworth@sustrans.org.uk or 07584 078 744.

Having young children needn’t be an obstacle to cycling. There are lots of bike seats and trailers on the market suitable for children from 6 months.

Cycling can, in many cases, be quicker than driving or taking public transport. There are no traffic jams, no missed buses, and no signal failures when travelling by bike.

Cycling burns up to 500 calories an hour – typically more than walking or swimming. A 20-minute cycle to the station uses approximately the same number of calories contained in a cappuccino or a small glass of wine.

“Why spend time at the gym, going nowhere and paying for the privilege when you can cycle?”

Adam, musician

“There is no quicker way to travel short distances – no traffic jams and no wasting time looking for parking spaces. And there’s no such thing as missing the last bike at 00.35!”

Lea, speech and language therapist

“Cycling makes me feel young again and frees up my mind to think clearly. When I get to work I actually feel refreshed, wide-eyed and ready for the day ahead”

Pam, teacher