Smarter Travel

Why cycle?

Cycling is a cheap, efficient and healthy form of transport, which has little adverse impact on the environment. On local journeys, cycling is often faster and more reliable than other forms of transport, particularly in congested conditions.

Join the Council's cycling mailing list

Join the Council's cycling mailing list to be sent email alerts of cycling-related events and projects happening in Wandsworth and greater London.

Beginners' bicycle maintenance class

If you're a Wandsworth resident aged 16 years or older, you can learn how to keep your own bicycle in good working order by taking part in a free Beginners' Bicycle Maintenance Class.

Classes will cover the following topics: 

• Gears (making adjustments and replacing cables)
• Brakes (how brakes work, barrel replacing, brake pad wear, replacing brake pads, replacing brake cables)
• Wheels (detecting problems, adjusting wheel cones, removing a rear wheel, correcting a buckled wheel, replacing a broken spoke, refitting a wheel)
• Basic bike care and toolkit (parts of a bike, bike fitting, inspecting a bike, identifying repair, lubricating the chain, cleaning your bike, toolkit) and
• Puncture prevention and care (removing the wheel, locating a puncture, mending the puncture, replacing an inner tube, wheel health, ways of coping with a puncture).

All of our classes are currently full. Join the waiting list and we will email you when we schedule more classes.  

For more information contact the Technical Services Department.

Telephone: 020 8871 7983
Email: hgriffin@wandsworth.gov.uk.  

'Dr Bike' safety checks

At these free events Dr Bike will be able to check that your tyres, wheels, frame, brakes, gears, and chain are all in good working order and that your seat and handlebars are at the correct height. If Dr Bike believes your bike requires more than basic rep airs, you will need to visit a local specialist bike shop. Wandsworth Council staff will be on hand to offer advice, local cycling maps, and cycling giveaways. 

Check this page regularly or join the Council's cycling mailing list to find out when and where the next event will take place. 

For more information contact the Technical Services Department.

Telephone: 020 8871 7983
Email: hgriffin@wandsworth.gov.uk.  

Heavy Goods Vehicle awareness events

At these events cyclists are invited to sit in the cab of a Heavy Goods Vehicle and see how the road looks from the driver's point of view.

Check this page regularly or join the Council's cycling mailing list to find out when and where the next event will take place.

For more information contact the Technical Services Department.

Telephone: 020 8871 7983
Email: hgriffin@wandsworth.gov.uk. 

Free cycle training

Cycling training courses are available, free of charge, to children and adults who live, work, or go to school or college in Wandsworth. 

Tips for promoting cycling in your workplace

• Provide cycle parking
• Organise Dr Bike sessions and bicycle maintenance classes for employees
• Provide showers and changing facilities at your workplace
• Set up a Bicycle Users' Group (BUG) to promote awareness of cycling related issues
• Hold a cyclists' breakfast or lunchtime BBQ for people who cycle to work
• Run a Cycle Challenge to see who can complete the most cycle journeys in one week
• Distribute copies of the relevant London Cycle Guide for your area - these can be ordered from Transport for London on 020 7222 1234
• Arrange with your personnel department to pay cycle mileage for business journeys
• Take part in Bike Week, and the London Cycle Challenge, which runs each year in June.

Information and ideas 

The Transport for London website is a valuable source of information on schemes, facilities, cycle routes and events.

More information about cycling can be obtained from the Cyclists Touring Club www.ctc.org.uk and the London Cycling Campaign (LCC) www.lcc.org.uk.

Wandsworth Cyclists, the local LCC group, can be emailed at info@wandsworthcyclists.org.uk or visit www.wandsworthcyclists.org.uk

Organisations with travel plans may be eligible for funding to help run cycling initiatives.  For details please contact Andy Flood:

Telephone: 020 8871 6674
Email: aflood@wandsworth.gov.uk.