LOCAL CYCLING INFORMATION

Where can I find cycle training?

The London Borough of Hounslow offer excellent training for adults and children. See: hounslow.gov.uk/getonyourbike and bikeworks.org.uk/hounslow

Where can I get my bike fixed?

See our list of local cycle shops. The London Borough of Hounslow also have “Dr Bike” for simple repairs, check-ups and bike registrations. There will be a Dr Bike 10am to 12pm on the second Saturday of every month outside Chiswick Police Station, W4 2DU.

London Bike Hub provide a range of cycling-related services, including:

  • “Dr Bike” services
  • Smoothie bike
  • Repairs and Servicing
  • Maintenance Training
  • Bike recycling
  • Training
What local cycle shops are there in Hounslow and neighbouring boroughs?
What are some local cycling organisations?
How can I ask for road & cycleway repairs?
Who is my local councillor?
Which roads are controlled by Hounslow Council and which are controlled by Transport for London?
Cycle Crime Prevention

Sergeant Jim Cope, Neighbourhood Sergeant for Brentford and Syon, came to one of of our monthly meetings and passed on the following information about bike theft.

He told us that local police had recently recovered 44 stolen bikes but have only been able to return 5 of them to owners so far because they don’t have sufficient information to identify the owners. It is important to mark your bike as mentioned, but as these marks can be removed by thieves, please also record other details about your bike such as the type and make of components and any other distinctive marks that can be used to identify and return the bike.

  • Get your bike security marked and registered at BikeRegister – Getting your bike security marked and registered is a visible deterrent to bike thieves. They know that if they are caught in possession of a registered bike, the rightful owner can be traced instantly and they will be arrested.
  • Record details of your bike – Frame number (normally found underneath the bike between the pedals or where the back wheel slots in), BikeRegister number, other distinguishing features, and take a photo – The more detail the better… from scratches to stickers, makes of pedals, gears, types of brakes, saddle, aftermarket additions.
  • Use locks of gold ‘Sold Secure’ standard – Also, use two different types of lock, with at least one being a high quality D-lock. It takes thieves a few seconds to cut through poor quality locks – make it as difficult for them as possible – two different locks may require two different tools to break.
  • Lock the frame and both wheels to a purpose built cycle parking stand – Not a railing or lamp post.
  • Make the locks and bike hard to manoeuvre ­- Secure your bike as close to the stand as possible. Try not to leave any slack chain or lock on the ground, this gives a thief a base to work on.
  • Take parts that are easy to remove with you – For example, saddles and wheels. Or use locking skewers, which can increase security by securing the bike’s components to the frame permanently, making it difficult for thieves to steal parts such as saddle or wheels.
    Lock your bike at recognised secure cycle parking – It should be well lit and covered by CCTV, overlooked by buildings and with plenty of passers-by.
  • Take the same care to lock your bike securely at home – Bikes get stolen from inside the home, communal hallways, gardens and sheds.
    Don’t buy a stolen second-hand bike – Insist on proof of ownership and check the bike frame number at BikeRegister. Never meet a seller in the street, insist on a home address.
  • If your bike has been stolen, contact the police – Give them your frame number, BikeRegister number, photo and any other details. You can also register your bike with its frame number retrospectively as stolen on BikeRegister.
  • If you find your stolen bike online – Please contact the Police on 101 and they will direct you to local officers who will be able to assist with attending the location and assist with identifying offenders. This is obviously dependent on available resources on the day… if you do decide to make a visit without Police then your safety is paramount so do not put yourself in a vulnerable position and consider the risks associated with such a scenario.

The following link is for ‘Secured by Design’ – https://www.securedbydesign.com/ which has similar information to the above https://www.securedbydesign.com/guidance/crime-prevention-advice/bike-security. It also contains information about other crime prevention advice and is useful for finding the right product that has been tested to UK security standards.

Other than ‘Bike Register’ other marking opportunities can be found at https://www.selectamark.co.uk/ or tracker devices that are ‘Thatcham’ approved.

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