Piotr
I don’t travel by bike myself but I have friends who do. They save a lot of money and keep fit at the same time! But they do have to take care as they use the same busy roads as cars and buses
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Scroll down the page to view the next sections: 'Getting & parking a bike' and 'Staying safe and legal'.
Key information
1. Cycling can get you around London quicker and cheaper than public transport
On average, a four mile trip in London takes 40 minutes by car, 30 minutes by public transport and 22 minutes by bike!
2. ‘Pay as you bike’ in London
‘Santander Cycles’ is a hire scheme that allows you to rent a bike per journey. It’s not available in Haringey but is common in central London. Some people refer to these bikes as ‘Boris bikes’. You will pay:
- £2 to hire a bike for 24 hours
- The first 30 minutes of your ride are free of charge. Thereafter you pay an additional £2 for every 30 minutes that you ride
3. Join free cycling lessons in Haringey!
‘Cycle Confident’ offer free cycling lessons to both adults and children (aged 9+) who live, work or study in Haringey
- Book online on their website here or call directly on 0203 031 6730
4. Use a free navigation app to find the quickest and safest route
Navigation apps like CityMapper, Google Maps and Transport for London save us time by working out the best route. Your app will give you:
- A bike-friendly route
- The estimated journey time
5. Stay safe by following the basic road rules
You don’t need a licence to ride a bike, but you do need to follow some rules or risk being fined:
- Wear bright/ fluorescent clothes and a helmet
- Use bike lights at night
- Follow the traffic and light signals, and don’t cycle on the pavement unless clearly signposted
- Get insured to protect you should there be an accident, or if your bike is stolen
Getting & parking a bike
Haringey Council are encouraging people to get biking. It helps to reduce pollution and traffic, and keeps you healthy! Most people buy their own bikes, but there is a scheme to rent a bike per journey in Central London.
Buying a bike
You can buy a new or second-hand bike from a shop, along with accessories such as a helmet, lights and bike lock. Most people insure their bikes separately as sadly, thefts and accidents are common in London. Other purchase options include:
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Buying a second-hand bike from a seller
While the initial costs may be cheap, there is no warranty or guarantee that the bike hasn’t been stolen! Check if a bike is listed on a National Register Database before you buy.
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Pay a monthly fee
Schemes such as ‘Peddle my Wheels’ allow you to try a bike for under £20 a month. You pay a monthly fee until you cover the full price and own the bike, or return it if you change your mind! They also offer a free 2-hour cycling skills session to get you started! Find out more on their website here.
Renting a bike
‘Santander Cycles’ is a hire scheme that allows you to rent a bike per journey. It’s not available in Haringey but is commonly seen in and around central London.
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How much does it cost?
- Cost of bike access is £2 - you can take as many journeys as you like within 24 hours
- Cost of bike ride - the first 30 minutes of each journey is included in your £2 bike access fee. Thereafter, you pay £2 for every 30 minutes that you ride. They save you money for short and regular journeys. You also have the option to become a member and take advantage of discounts.
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How do I use the service?
- Find a docking station with an available bike - search online for your nearest one here
- Follow the instructions on the docking station screen - select ‘Hire a cycle’ and enter your debit or credit card. Once approved, a release code will be printed
- Choose your bike - check the tyres, brakes and bell before entering your five-digit release code in the keypad
- Wait for the green light on the docking keypad - pull the bike out, adjust your saddle and enjoy your ride!
- Return the bike to any docking station in London - push it firmly into an empty docking point. A green light will show that the bike has been securely docked
Parking a bike
Your bike needs to be locked in a dedicated space or you will risk being fined and your bike being taken away. With more people cycling every year, Haringey Council has invested in on-street parking spaces. Look out for:
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Sheffield Cycle Stand
- You’ll find these cycle stands in town centres, outside shops and stations
- They are free of charge to use and you don’t need to book in advance
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Bikehangars
- You’ll find these on a number of residential streets, with each storing up to six bikes
- You need to apply for a space and pay a rental charge to ‘Cyclehoop’. Read more and get in touch with Cyclehoop online here
Staying safe and legal
In any busy city accidents and thefts do happen so make sure you stay safe!
- You don’t need a licence to cycle but there are some rules you need to follow, or you may risk being fined
- Haringey has a network of cycle routes including cycle lanes on main roads and separated cycle lanes
Before you ride
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Check your bike is roadworthy
- You can do this free of charge at your local Halfords store. Find your local store here.
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Know your frame number
- You can find this on the bottom bracket of your frame
- Write it down and keep it safe! It will help you make a report and find your bike in case it is stolen
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Register your bike & get it insured
- Register your bike model, make and frame number online here to help police to locate it in case it is stolen
- Consider buying insurance in case of a theft or accident
On the road
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Be seen in daylight and poor light
- Wear something bright or fluorescent
- Use bike lights and other reflective accessories
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Protect yourself
- Wear a helmet which is the correct size, and fastened securely
- Don’t use a mobile phone or earphones while cycling
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Avoid the pavement
- You can only cycle on the pavement if it is clearly signposted as a foot and cycle way, or you may risk a fine of £50.
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Obey traffic and light signals
- Follow the road rules as you would if you were driving a car or you may risk a £50 fine
- Look out for signs that are designated for cyclists