Cycle Connect
London's inclusive active travel and mobility service
Cycle Connect is a transport service that uses side-by-side e-assist cycles, allowing passengers to ride with a trained pilot. Passengers can choose to pedal for exercise or simply enjoy the ride while their pilot manages the journey. This setup ensures a safe and inclusive experience for up to three passengers at a time, with support tailored to individual needs.
How it Works
STEP 1
Check Eligibility
STEP 2
Book
STEP 3
Ride
1. Check Eligibility
Cycle Connect is funded to provide free rides for individuals and community organisations who meet the following criteria:
1. You self-identify as belonging to one or more of the following groups:
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- older adults
- people with restricted mobility
- disabled people (including sensory impairments, learning and physical disabilities)
- people who experience social isolation and exclusion
2. You live within the eligibility area
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- Refer to the map below
1. Your organisation works with clients who belong to one or more of the following groups:
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- older adults
- people with restricted mobility
- disabled people (including sensory impairments, learning and physical disabilities)
- people who experience social isolation and exclusion
2. Your organisation is located within the eligibility area
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- Refer to the map below
2. Book
Check our hours of operation below and get in touch to book your trip!
MON: no service
TUE: 9:30am to 4:30pm
WED: 9:30am to 4:30pm
THU: 9:30am to 4:30pm
FRI: 9:30am to 4:30pm
SAT: no service
SUN: no service
MON: no service
TUE: no service
WED : 10:30am to 3:00pm
THU: no service
FRI: 10:30am to 3:00pm
SAT: no service
SUN: no service
Call:
0208 9807 998 (option 4)
3. Ride
Before your ride, please review our Passenger Agreement to ensure a safe and comfortable ride for everyone on board. More information about what to expect can be found below.
Our Side-by-Side cycles have space for up to 3 passengers, so you are welcome to bring your friends, family, or carers along for the ride. Just let us know during the booking process.
If you are booking as an individual, we’ll try to fill the available seats so as many people as possible can benefit from Cycle Connect! This means we will take bookings from other individuals and you may get to meet a new friend!
Our trained Cycle Connect pilots will take you on a ride, selecting the best possible route for the needs of everyone on board. During the ride, you are welcome to pedal for some gentle exercise, or just sit back and relax. We have storage for your belongings and can transport most mobility aids.
We will work with you in advance to create a plan that meets the needs of your organisation and clients. This can take many forms, such as a weekly ride through the neighbourhood or a pick-up/drop-off service to get people to and from a regular day program.
We look forward to working together! You can expect us to ask the following questions when we develop a session:
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- Purpose: What do you hope to get our of the Cycle Connect session?
- Timing: When will the ride take place and how often?
- Location: Is it a one-way or round-trip? Where will pick-up and drop-off take place?
- Passengers: How many people will attend the session? Do they have any specific accessibility needs?
From your end, we request a designated representative who will act as they point of contact and be responsible for coordinating your clients and making sure they are ready at the pre-determined pick-up time and location.
Any other questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch!
FAQs
Cycle Connect is designed to make cycling easier and more inclusive for adults of all abilities. Our side-by-side cycles are step-free and equipped to securely transport most mobility aids. Our friendly pilots can offer assistance with transferring onto the cycle and ensuring your feet are safely placed on the pedals. The cycle is steered by the pilot, and the power assist allows you to pedal as much or as little as you like.
While we aim to be as inclusive as possible, safety is our priority. Your first session may serve as a taster to ensure Cycle Connect meets your needs.
No, only the primary user of Cycle Connect needs to be a resident of our operational areas. This requirement is due to the conditions set by our funders. Carers, family members, and friends accompanying the primary user can be from elsewhere.
No, Cycle Connect is completely free to use. We are generously funded by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster City Council, Islington Council, the HS2 Community & Environment Fund, and Imperial Health Charity, allowing us to provide this service to eligible passengers at no charge.
Yes, our cycles have designated storage space for small personal belongings, such as bags or walking aids. If you’re unsure about specific items, please ask us before your trip.
We ask that you provide as much notice as possible if you need to cancel a trip. This allows us to offer the time slot to someone else who may benefit from the service.
Our service is often fully booked, so timely cancellations help us ensure that as many people as possible can experience the benefits of Cycle Connect. If cancellations are made with little to no notice repeatedly, we may need to discuss your future bookings with you.
Cycle Connect operates in most weather conditions, but we prioritize safety. Rides are canceled if yellow or red weather warnings are in place. We also encourage passengers to dress appropriately for the weather, whether it’s sunny, rainy, or cold.
Cycle Connect currently operates in specific areas based on funding. We’re always looking to expand, so please share your interest—it helps us advocate for new locations!
Yes, you can! Bookings can be made on behalf of passengers as long as they meet our eligibility criteria.
Yes, we’d love to collaborate with you to bring Cycle Connect to your event! Our service is available for hire, but there are a few key requirements to keep in mind:
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- The cycle must be hired with a trained pilot to ensure safety and proper operation.
- Events should align with our mission to serve our target demographics, such as individuals with disabilities, older adults, or those who would benefit from accessible, inclusive transport options.
- A fee is charged for the service, which helps support the ongoing operation and impact of Cycle Connect.
If you’re interested, please get in touch to discuss your event and how Cycle Connect can contribute. We’re happy to explore the possibilities with you!
At this time, Cycle Connect does not offer private rides. To ensure we can provide access to as many people as possible, you may share your ride with other individuals. We hope this approach allows more people to experience the benefits of the service. If you have specific concerns or needs, please get in touch, and we’ll do our best to accommodate you.
As a free-to-access service for eligible passengers, understanding who is using Cycle Connect and how they benefit helps us demonstrate our positive impact to funders. Any demographic questions you may be asked prior to your trip are entirely optional but play an essential role in ensuring we can continue to operate this service and secure future funding. All data collected is used solely for reporting and service development purposes.
Our Impact
Outcomes
“Being a carer can be isolating; you don’t meet people, you don’t see people. I really appreciate [the pilots] because you develop a bond with them. They’re from the outside looking in, so sometimes they can help with things that you’re going through.
There are a lot of disabled people that would benefit a great deal from the service. I’ve benefited, my son’s benefited – it’s life changing. It really is.”
-Caroline
“Every week, I go bike riding and I love it – absolutely love it.
I’ve always been active and strong, but I’m not quite where I want to be. It gets me moving and I’m more mobile than before.
I enjoy getting out in the fresh air. You just bump into people. You wouldn’t get that sitting indoors, would ya? You’re out living.”
-Michael
“I have hip problems and I’m in line for surgery. Walking is difficult and painful, even with my walking stick.
I attend a weekly appointment at the hospital to work on my mobility, and without Cycle Connect, I’d be struggling to get to and from the bus stop. The door-to-door service has really helped me!”
-Claudette
Passenger Spotlights
Reports
Discover the difference Cycle Connect is making in the local community by reading our Evaluation Report Summary. It highlights the positive outcomes and real-life benefits of the service.
Learn more about how Cycle Connect has previously supported efforts to tackle social isolation and loneliness across London by visiting the Department for Transport project overview.
See Cycle Connect in Action
With support from: