Free cycle training

Cycling on roads requires competence and confidence.

The council offers free cycling training to anyone who lives, works or studies in the borough.

Road safety for cyclists

Cycling in heavy traffic is extremely dangerous. It is vital that all cyclists are aware of any dangers that may occur and are knowledgeable about maintaining their bike.

Read a summary of the rules for cyclists including advice on bike maintenance and safe behaviour on the road.

Cycling in Barking and Dagenham

Cycling is cheap, reliable, direct, environmentally friendly, and ideally suited to urban areas. It can benefit the local economy, reduce congestion on our roads, improve air quality and improve our personal fitness through regular exercise.

Following our recognition as an Outer London Biking borough, funding was provided by Transport for London (TfL) to develop a comprehensive cycling strategy as part of the project. The main aims are:

• to raise awareness of the benefits and availability of cycling
• to meet the demand of cyclists by providing adequate facilities, interchanges and direct routes with a network which covers the whole borough
• to enable all cyclists to do so safely and confidently with training, equipment and advice
• to improve attitudes of other road users to cyclists by increasing awareness and improving cyclists' behaviour through training
• to integrate cycling into all development, planning and public initiatives
• to communicate within the council and with stakeholders to both promote and ensure the most appropriate schemes
• to monitor cycling levels, attitudes and implications of schemes

Route maps offer a detailed map of the borough showing all the cycle lanes. Route maps also offer advice on cycling and safety.

Transport for London provides more useful information about cycling including a plan your journey option.

Cycle lighting

Cycle lighting is an important and legal requirement when it’s dark or when visibility is seriously reduced. To ride when it's dark your bike must have a working white front light, a red rear light and a red rear reflector.

By law, new bikes must be fitted with wheel and pedal reflectors and it is a good idea to upgrade older bikes too. All legal lights and reflectors will be marked with the latest safety standard. Pedal reflectors must be amber. Front reflectors are not essential, but if you have one, it must be white and facing forward.

Reflectors will not work when they are dirty, so keep them clean. Reflectors are not replacements for proper lights.

Cycle helmets

Cycling’s greatest danger is head injuries, and a helmet is your best defence. New helmets are far better than older models, with advances in materials making them light, comfortable, stylish and safe.

If you already own a helmet, check it fits correctly. Make sure that it feels snug and comfortable, allows clear all-round vision and hearing. It should not cover your eyes or ears, make sure it fits squarely on your head and it doesn't tilt forwards or backwards, and make sure it's well ventilated.

Most importantly, if it takes a hard knock, it is likely to be damaged. Don’t take a risk – buy a new helmet.