Ride the Ingrebourne Way this Sunday

On Sunday 19 July, from 10am until 1pm, join Havering Cyclists on a Go-explore with Sustrans bike ride through the Ingrebourne Valley to celebrate 20 years of the Sustrans National Cycle Network. Book your place here.

Ride for Rainham Royals

The annual Rainham Royals cycle ride, sponsored by London Riverside Business Improvement District, takes place on Thursday 30 July from 11am. The Mayor of Havering, Councillor Brian Eagling, will start the event at the Barges Car Park, Coldharbour Lane, Rainham, RM13 9YB. For more information email Maggie Dixon.

Cycle for St Francis

Cyclists can support St Francis Hospice, in Havering-atte-Bower, by taking part in a number of rides this year including the Prudential Ride London to Surrey 100 on Sunday 2 August or the London to Paris on Wednesday 9 September. More information available here.

Mark it in the Market

Havering Police Safer Transport Team security code cycles free of charge in Romford Market, usually on the first Saturday of each month.

The next session will be on Saturday 1 August, between 11.00am and 2.00pm at the South Street end of the market place near Cycles UK.

Everyone who gets their bike marked will receive a free puncture repair kit.

All residents have to do is turn up with their bike so it can be security marked and stickers attached to warn would be thieves that they should leave this cycle alone. Details are added to the Bike Register.

Find out more about cycle security.

Extra bike marking services

In addition to monthly bike security marking at Romford Market, Havering Police Safer Transport Team will be bike marking on:

• Wednesday 12 August, 10.30am until 2.30pm for the Bike Event at Thames Chase, Pike Lane, Upminster, RM14 3NS
• Friday 21 August, 10am until 2pm at Hornchurch Country Park, Squadrons Approach, Hornchurch, RM12 6TS
• Thursday 27 August, 10am until 2pm  at the Safer Transport Team Fun Day,  Romford Market  
• Tuesday 1 September, 10am until 2pm at Hornchurch Country Park, Squadrons Approach, Hornchurch, RM12 6TS
• Saturday 3 October at the open day for the new Visitor’s Centre Hornchurch Country Park, Squadrons Approach, Hornchurch, RM12 6TS
• Tuesday 27 October, 10am until 2pm at Hornchurch Country Park, Squadrons Approach, Hornchurch, RM12 6TS
• Saturday  28 November, 10am until 2pm at Hornchurch Country Park, Squadrons Approach, Hornchurch, RM12 6TS.
  

New cycle pumps

Havering Council is installing new cycle pumps for public use near Elm Park, Gidea Park, Harold Wood, and Rainham railway stations.

The cycle pump near Romford Railway Station is being replaced with a more sturdy version. There is already a cycle pump near Upminster Station (pictured).

Cycle parking

New cycle stands are being installed by Havering Council to make it easier for cyclists to park and secure their bikes. Watch out for the new stands at railway stations, parks and shopping parades throughout Havering.

If you have a suggestion where a new cycle stand would be useful please email details to John Lynn.

Free cycle maintenance courses

The Council's cycle maintenance classes are up and running again.

The free classes at myplace, in Dagnam Park Drive, Harold Hill, have a basic course, which includes how to fix a puncture, while the advanced course will cover removal and installation of cycle parts. 

Get details of maintenance courses here.

Cycle training

Havering Council offers free training for families and adults, to help improve cyclists' awareness of possible dangers on the road and improve safety.

Many pupils also benefit from free Bikeability training at school. Get details of free cycle training courses here.

Roadworks and more

Havering Council’s weekly email Travel Update gives details of forthcoming roadworks and other transport issues affecting the Borough. Sign up for your copy here.

Safety first

Cyclists should check out the latest version of the Highway Code, which includes information on how to cycle safely.

For example Highway Code Rule 70 says:

When parking your cycle

• find a conspicuous location where it can be seen by passers-by
• use cycle stands or other cycle parking facilities wherever possible
• do not leave it where it would cause an obstruction or hazard to other road users
• secure it well so that it will not fall over and become an obstruction or hazard.

Check out the Highway Code for cyclists here.

Cycle News archive

Past editions of Cycle News can be viewed here.

Start to Ride

In cooperation with Cycle Training East, Havering Council is offering a series of free ‘Start to Ride courses’, which last for one day and are aimed at children who are new to riding without stabilisers. The sessions run on;

• Wednesday 29 July at Gidea Park Primary School, Lodge Avenue, Gidea Park, Romford, RM2 5AJ
• Wednesday 12 August- at Coopers' Company and Coborn School, St Mary's Lane, Upminster, RM14 3HS
• Wednesday 26 August at Broadford Primary School, Farringdon Avenue, Harold Hill, RM3 8JS

Bikeability

Bikeability Level 1 and 2 are two-day courses for more experienced bike riders aged 9+, which aim to improve their confidence and teach key skills. Sessions run from 10am to 2:30pm, are free of charge and are on:

• Tuesday 28 and Wednesday 29 July at Gidea Park Primary School, Lodge Avenue, Gidea Park, Romford, RM2 5AJ
• Tuesday 11 and Wednesday 12 August at Coopers' Company and Coborn School, St Mary's Lane, Upminster, RM14 3HS
• Tuesday 25 and Wednesday 26 August at Broadford Primary School, Farringdon Avenue, Harold Hill, RM3 8JS

More information

Cycle Training for adults

Havering Council provides courses throughout the year for adult cyclists and older non-riders. Click here to book a place or find out more information.

100 mile cycle ride for charity

Two people from Everyone Active’s Central Park Leisure Centre, in Gooshays Drive, Harold Hill, are taking part in the Prudential Ride London to Surrey cycle ride on Sunday 2 August to raise money for the Anthony Nolan Trust.

Everyone Active Group Exercise Manager for Central Park and Hornchurch, Catherine O’Brien Passfield, and Central Park gym member Michelle Ault, decided to do the ride, which starts at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, after Hornchurch Sports Centre General Manager, Chris Spencer recently underwent a successful bone marrow transplant.

Catherine and Michelle are hoping to raise £1,200 for the charity. Sponsor the cyclists here.

Register now

for Sky Rides

Sky Rides in Havering this year will follow two different routes.

On Sundays 26 July and 13 September, each starting at 2pm from Lodge Farm Park, Lodge Avenue, Romford, RM2 5AD, it is the Romford Ride through Raphael and Lodge Farm Parks.

On Sundays 9 August and 8 November, each starting at 10am from Upminster Library, Corbets Tey Road, Upminster, RM14 2BB, there is the South Havering Circular ride.

This Havering Sky Ride is free and includes guides.

More information on this Sky Ride is available here.

A list of other local Sky Rides is available here.

Check out other cycling events here.

App for London’s cycles

Santander Cycles has launched an App, making London’s cycle hire scheme easier to use.

The Santander Cycles App for Android and iOS smartphones is free to download for both members and casual users, from the Apple Store or Google Play. In addition to viewing the nearest docking station and bike availability, the new App is able to send a ‘bike release’ code straight to a user’s phone, which means they can hire a cycle without having to use the docking station terminal. 

All customers need to do is register with their bank card, use the App to ‘hire now’ from a nearby docking station, and just tap the code into a docking point to release a bike for use.

The right route

Havering Council has a number of cycle routes for different parts of the Borough.

Check out the local routes here.

Thames Chase cycle hire

Thames Chase is once again hiring cycles during school holidays and at weekends from the Thames Chase Forest Centre, Broadfields, Pike Lane, Upminster, RM14 3NS.

Hire charges start at £3 and include cycle helmets. More information is available here.

Free cycle guides

Boxes of free cycle guides are now available to order directly from Transport for London (TfL).

There are 14 different guides covering the whole of Greater London, so no matter where you're based, or your employees live, there's a map to help them cycle to work. Click here to check which guide best suits your business, its staff and its visitors.

To order, email us with the subject line 'Free Cycle Guides' and include your preferred guide number(s) and how many boxes of each you require. Please include the full delivery address, including a name and contact number for the person signing for the delivery.

This offer is for London businesses only and is first-come first-served. Each box contains 180 guides. We may supply an alternative guide number if your preferred choice is unavailable.

London Cycling Campaign

The Havering Branch of the London Cycling Campaign meets on the second Monday of every month in Hornchurch. Any interested cyclist can attend.

More information is available here.

Local cycling groups

There are several cycling groups that operate in Havering. 

All welcome new members and offer the opportunity to ride with fellow cyclists. You can also search for clubs further afield using the club finder tool on the British Cycling website.

More information here.