Bikability

We're often asked what replaced the Cycling Proficiency test. Well this is it. With on-road training the Bikeability scheme is a much improved cycle training course.
Ask your school if they can arrange training, or alternatively, contact Ealing's Cycling Officer, Bob Davis, Tel: 020 8825 5771 e-mail: robert.davis@ealing.gov.uk.
Note that for children, the usual age for training is from 9 years old. Adults can expect to pay £5 for a two-hour lesson. From experience we think it's well worth it. To book a lesson, contact Cycle Training Ltd on Freephone 0800 093 6454, and mention that you live in Ealing.

Bikes on Trains

All train companies on the National Rail network carry bicycles, but their rules vary. For instance, most bikes, with the exception of foldables, are not allowed on trains in the rush hour. Before travelling, check well in advance with the National Rail Enquiry Service Tel: 0845 748 4950. Eurostar still don't carry bikes on their passenger trains. They have to be shipped on a separate train with 24 hours allowed for delivery. You may find it easier (and quicker) to cycle to France.
For timetables of trains and coaches try Traveline. For details of rail companies try: UK Rail Travel.

Canal Towpaths

Some of the quietest off-road cycling in Ealing is along the Grand Union canal. In places the path is good, in others, in particular the stretch in Southall north of Bull's Bridge, it is very rough. Occasionally you will find gates designed to prevent motorcyclists using the canal. They are designed so regular bicycles can get through, but if you are on a recumbant, towing a trailer or on a bicycle with a high-backed child seat, you probably won't be able to pass. Information on cycling along canals is on the British Waterways website. www.waterscape.com
British Waterways, Norwood Top Lock, Poplar Avenue, Norwood Green, Southall, Middlesex UB2 4PN Tel: 020 8571 8900

Cycling Proficiency Scheme

The fondly remembered training scheme stopped running several years ago. The new training scheme is called Bikeability and unlike the old Cycling Proficiency it prepares you for the real world with on-road cycle training. See Bikeability above.

Cycle Sports

Ealing's cycle racing club is the Westerley Cycling Club. If you want to take part in competitive riding, or like the idea of long, fast club runs, then this is the place to go.
Contact Tom Newman: 020-8428 5946 www.westerleycycling.org.uk

Further afield London Dynamo is a club that meets in Richmond park every Saturday.

If you fancy some thing more competitive on the road then there is also The Gregarios Superclub Ciclist, a road racing club based in West London, Middlesex and beyond. Sunday club routes and more. Contact Danny Pollock: 020 8200 0674 email wave@nildram.co.uk http://www.gregarios.co.uk

For children and teenagers up to 16, then Hillingdon Slipstreamers is a great place to start. They run training sessions on Saturday mornings at the Hillingdon Cycle Circuit. Check out www.slipstreamers.co.uk for more details.

For competitive mountain bike riding, see West Drayton Mountain Bike Club

Cycle Theft

Cycle theft is a big problem in London. One of best ways to prevent cycle theft is to use a good lock. Always lock your bicycle to an immovable object and never leave it out on the street overnight.

You can register your bicycle with the police at www.imobilise.com so that if it is stolen and recovered they can return it to you.

The Police used to stamp postcodes on bicycles so that they could be returned to their owners. Now manufacturers are putting serial numbers on bikes again, all you need to do is register the number with the immobilise web site. If you want your postcode stamped on your bike, try Acton Police station. Tel: 020-8246 9764.

Cycle Training

The council offers on-road cycle training for children, adults and groups. See Bikeability above.

Cycle Workshops

You can learn how to maintain your bicycle at the Ealing BikeHub run by Ealing Cycling Campaign on the first Saturday of every month. The hub is based in Greenford. Visit the web site to find out more and book a place.

Outside the borough, Evans cycles in Brentford also offer maintenance classes. l

Ealing Borough Council

Responsible for maintaining the roads, providing cycle training for children, transport planning, etc. They have a number of help lines to report pot-holes, broken street lights, etc. which are listed separately below. For cycle training, contact Ealing's Cycling Officer (see below) The web site www.ealing.gov.uk has general information about Ealing and listings of events in the borough.
Perceval House, 14-16 Uxbridge Road, Ealing. W5 2HL Tel: 020 8825 5000

Ealing's Cycling Officer

The Council's cycling officer, Bob Davis, is working to improve cycle facilities and provide on-road cycle training for children and adults in Ealing. He is the person to contact if you want to arrange training for yourself or your children.
Robert Davis, London Borough of Ealing, Perceval House, 14-16 Uxbridge Road, Ealing, London W5 2HL
Tel: 020 8825 5771 e-mail: robert.davis@ealing.gov.uk

Ealing Cycling Campaign

The Ealing branch of the London Cycling Campaign.
Borough co-ordinator: David Lomas. Tel: 020-8579 0805, e-mail: david_lomas28@hotmail.com
Secretary: Tom Hartwell
Treasurer: Tim Greg
Council Liason: Peter Mynors
Rides Organiser: Kelvin Warth
Projects & Events: David Eales

Journey Planner

Transport for London have a journey planner at http://journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk . Click on 'Search more options' to bring up the cycle journey planner. To make sure you arrive on time, allow 50% longer than the estimated journey time - at least the first time you make the trip.

Maps

You can order free cycle maps of London from the LCC website map page.
A useful online map is streetmap.co.uk

Mountain Biking

Sadly, there are no mountains in Ealing. The best MB riding territory in south east England is said to be the network of trails around Leith Hill. Contact local bike shop, Nirvana Cycles for details: 01306 740300. www.nirvanacycles.com. They also organise rides.

The nearest MTB club is West Drayton Mountain Bike Club, based in Uxbridge.

If you want to do your own thing. This site has a map and details of a nearby ride in Colne Valley.

Old Actonians Cycling Club

Although officially the club for ex-pupils of Acton High School, this is open to anyone. There are regular rides from the club on Wednesday evenings (20-40 miles) and Sundays (30-60 miles). Their web site, www.oldactonians.co.uk/oa/clubs/cycling/about_cycl.xml, has more information.

Reporting Problems

Bus Drivers
To report dangerous bus drivers, go to Transport for London's contact page www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl. Click on the 'Contacts and links' link, which will take you to a page where you can fill out an online feedback form.

Parking in Cycle Lanes
To report persistent problems with vehicles parking in Ealing's cycle lanes, call the number below. Note that parking may be allowed in cycle lanes at certain times. This is particularly true of advisory cycle lanes (those with dotted white lines). Please check that offences are being committed before calling. 020 8825 6677.

Street Faults in Ealing
To report potholes and other street faults in Ealing and get them repaired, and get broken glass cleaned up, telephone 020-8825 6000. It is important to note the name of the road and the precise location - e.g. opposite house number ... Between 17.30 and 08.00 you can contact the emergency reporting number: 020-8825 5000. Or if you want to report potholes using the internet, go to fill that hole.

Street Faults on major roads and all traffic signals
To report faults on the following roads: A40, A406, Church Rd between Target and White Hart roundabout, The Parkway and Ruislip Rd between White Hart and Polish War Memorial roundabout, go to www.streetfaults.tfl.gov.uk To report a fault that is serious and very urgent, call the Street Faults Contact Centre on 0845 305 1234 (open 24 hours)

Street Lights
To report faulty street lights in Ealing, and get them repaired. Tel: 020 8825 6000 or fill out an online report form available at Ealing council's web page on street lighting

Safe Routes to Schools

This organisation gives you the information you need to develop a safe cycle route to your, or your child's, school. There is excellent web-site information at www.saferoutestoschools.org.uk
Safe Routes to Schools Information Service. Head Office: 35 King Street, Bristol. BS1 4DZ Tel: 0117 929 0888.

Westerley Cycling Club

Ealing's cycle racing club.
Contact Tom Newman: 020-8428 5946 www.westerleycycling.org.uk

Ealing Cycling Campaign hold monthly social rides from Ealing Town Hall on Sunday mornings. See our Rides Page for details. Other London Cycling Campaign rides are featured in the monthly LCC magazine, London Cyclist.

The Cyclists' Touring club also organise social rides around London. The nearest branch is West London CTC. Central London CTC also organise rides.

More challenging rides are organised by the Westerley Cycling Club, the Old Actonians Cycling Club, and, for under 16's, the Hillingdon Slipstreamers.

Birmingham to Southall Charity Ride

Each summer the Sikh community in Ealing organises a ride from Birmingham to Southall to raise money for local charities. Details normally available from June at: www.charitybikeride.com

Sponsored Cycle Rides

For details of the major national sponsored cycle rides (London to Brighton etc.) held during the summer, contact Bike Events. PO BOX 2127 Bristol BS99 7LN    0870 755 8519 www.bike-events.com

Discounts with LCC Membership

Membership of the LCC automatically entitles you to discounts on bikes and spares at certain shops. The full list if printed in the London Cyclist Magazine each month. Other shops, despite the lack of discounts, also offer a good service.

Woolsey of Acton (offers Discounts to members)


281 Acton Lane, Acton, W4 5DH. (020 8994 6893). Offers a generous 10% discount on bikes and spares for LCC members. Also does repairs, and sells a wide selection of bikes. Long established family shop with friendly owner. Well worth checking out. map

The Bike Shop

67, The Broadway, Greenford, UB6 9PN. (020 8578 7863). A decent range. Services and repairs bikes. A couple of our members reported that they had good service at this shop. map

Ealing Cycles

9 Bond Street, Ealing, W5 5AP (020 8567 3557). Handy for swift repairs, for choosing from a range of bikes including Brompton folders, and it has a good range of accessories. A bit expensive, but you pay for the high street location. It opens early so you can drop off your bike on your way to work for repairs and servicing. map

My Velo
The Perfume Factory, 140 Wales Farm Road, East Acton, W3 6UG (020 7199 8181). A new company offering personalised bikes made to order. Essentially they sell only two types of bike - a men's or women's hybrid. You just get to change the colours. You will find more choice in the bike shops above which sell many different styles of bicycle. map

London Joggers
112 Broadway, West Ealing, W13 0SY. (020 8566 0044). Half sports shoe shop, half bike shop, this unusual hybrid has a small selection of bicycles for sale, and a small range of spare parts including tyres and inner tubes. They also service bicycles. We have no feedback on this shop yet so, if you've used it, let us know about their service: info@ealingcycling.org.uk. map