Walking and cycling initiatives

Walking and cycling initiatives

Incorporating walking and cycling into your everyday life has significant health and environmental benefits. It can reduce your risk of Type II diabetes and cardiovascular disease, while reducing carbon emissions and air pollution. In addition to creating streets and neighbourhoods that actively encourage walking and cycling, we offer programmes offering residents opportunities to give walking and cycling a go. See the list below to find out about our walking and cycling initiatives in your area.

For residents

Dr Bike 
Bring your cycle  to one of our free Dr Bike stands for a check-up. Dr Bike’s team of expert mechanics will check over tyres, gears, pedals and brakes and make any minor adjustments needed on the spot. If they can’t fix it on site, they will let you know what needs to be done and how much it should cost at a bike shop. We have organised the following sessions in your area:

• Saturday 23 March, 10am to 4pm at Robinswood Gardens E17
• Wednesday 27 March, 4pm to 7pm at Blackhorse Road Station 
• Tuesday 9 April, 10am to 4pm at Lloyd Park (part of Try Out Cycling Day)

Try Out Cycling Day
Come down to Lloyd Park from 10am to 4pm on Tuesday 9 April to find out how cycling can fit into your life. There will be free cargo bike trials, Dr Bike mechanics, an All Ability Cycling Club session and more. The event is free and there is no need to book in advance. 

All Ability Cycling Club
We offer free All Ability Cycling Club sessions for everyone, regardless of confidence or ability, to enjoy cycling. The sessions are led by trained instructors, who provide help with a range of cycles including relaxed tricycles, recumbents, wheelchair bikes, hand cycles and side-by-side bikes. Sessions are held in Higham Hill Park every second Saturday at 10am to 12pm. To find out more, visit the website.

Waltham Forest Wanders
Discover Waltham Forest on our walking and cycling trails showcasing famous people and places in the borough and sharing some of the area’s lesser-known secrets. The nine routes can be completed on your own or with family and friends and are a great way to learn more about our borough while enjoying great outdoor spaces. You can download guides for the nine different walks on our website.

Feel Good Walks
Our Feel Good Walks are a great way for you to get out and about, meet new people, and explore some of the beautiful green spaces the borough has to offer. The walks are led by trained volunteers and are free. Options for shorter or slower-paced walks are available. Visit our website to find the 2024 Programme.

Walk and Talk
Walk and Talk CIC combines group exercise with socialising to encourage older adults to become more active. They offer paid group classes at Higham Hill Hub six days a week. You can book a class on Walk and Talk’s website.

Walking groups
There are several walking groups in the borough, offering walks varying in length and difficulty around the borough and outside London. You can find out about each group by visiting their website.

• North East London Ramblers
• The London Strollers
• Lea Valley Friends Ramblers
• Walthamstow Walking Group

National Walking Month
National Walking Month is a time to celebrate the health and environmental benefits of walking and wheeling. Take part by walking part of the journey to work or going for a walk when catching up with friends instead of getting a coffee.

Car clubs
We have several car clubs operating in the borough to provide residents with a cheap, easy and environmentally friendly alternative to owning a car. They help to reduce the number of private vehicles on the road, as users often choose to give up a private vehicle or choose not to purchase a car. Car club vehicles are parked near where you live, ready for hire when you need it.  In the Lloyd Park and Higham Hill area, you can find Zipcars on Mersey Road and Renness Road and Hiyacars on Bromley Road and Renness Road.

For businesses

By getting involved with our free initiatives many businesses across the borough have been able to introduce cycles into the day-to-day running of their businesses. Whether you're looking for a greener and quicker way to deliver orders or want to provide your staff with cheaper and healthier transport options, we have lots of initiatives to help you make sustainable changes to your business. 

Free Cargo bike trial
Businesses can loan cargo bikes for up to one month for free to see how they could fit into the day-to-day running of your business. If you would like to sign up to a trail, visit our website.

Bike loans
We have more than 30 community cycles and a range of cargo bikes available for loan to anybody who lives, works or studies in Waltham Forest. For a small refundable deposit, you or your staff can loan a bike for up to one month. To loan a bike, visit our website.

Staff cycle training
We offer free cycle training for adults who live, work or study in Waltham Forest. You or your staff can sign up for one-to-one or group sessions seven days a week at a location to suit you. We can also work with new commuters to identify a safe, convenient route for you to cycle between home and work. To find out more or book a session, visit our website.

New cycle hub at Blackhorse Road Station
We have made it easier for commuters to store their bikes by installing a cycle hub conveniently located at Blackhorse Road Station. The hub offers a safe and cost-effective option to store your bike near the train station for the day, making it easier to ride and catch public transport to work. The new hubs have air pumps and tools on site in case you need to make repairs on the go.