Cycle parking

We want to encourage cycling, and that means giving people safe and convenient places to store their bikes. Cycle Parking infrastructure in the Borough consists of:

• Bike Hangars: Designed for everyday cycle parking on residential streets.
• Station Cycle Hubs: Designed to enable secure cycle parking at Tube stations, National Rail and Overground stations.
• Cycle Stands: Located throughout the borough in areas of high footfall, including high streets.  Designed for short and medium length stay cycle parking.

If you live in a house or flat with limited space, cycle storage can be a challenge. To help, we've installed over 1000 hangars, giving over 6000 residents an accessible and secure place to store their cycles.

One Bike Hangar takes up only half a car parking space and can store up to 6 standard bikes. This makes them an extremely efficient and cost effective alternative to parking a car. Bike Hangar membership costs £40.00 per year.

How spaces are allocated

We allocate Bike Hangar spaces using a priority scoring system which is designed to prioritise residents in most need of a space. 

Locations for new Bike Hangars are chosen primarily based on the level of local demand.  Registering your interest in a Bike Hangar space enables us to build a better picture of demand in your area. This allows us to choose new Bike Hangar locations which work for everybody.

Read our Bikehangar FAQs

You can register your interest in a Bike Hangar space via the online form below. Once registered, you'll be placed on a waiting list until a suitable space becomes available.

Demand for Bike Hangar spaces is high and waiting times are unpredictable as they are based on the rate of membership turnover and the level of local demand. When spaces become available, we allocate them to residents on the waiting list. In addition, we are continuously working to install new Bike Hangars to meet demand. 

If you have a disability or specific accessibility requirement please contact the Bikehangar team directly at bikehangars@walthamforest.gov.uk with further details and they will include these requirements in your application.

If you have a place in one of our hangars and need to:

• request a new key
• or report an issue with a Bike Hangar

Please let us know.

For an annual fee of £40 Cycle Hubs are a convenient and secure option for storing your bike while using rail services.  A great solution to help you build cycling into the commute or weekend day out.

Our Station Cycle Hubs have:

• CCTV
• Key fob entry
• Help points
• Enhanced lighting
• Two-tiered user-friendly assisted cycle parking racks
• Cycle pumps

If you’d like to buy membership for our Station Cycle Hubs, see the new membership link below.

Please note: to access the secure cycle parking on Platform 1 at Lea Bridge Station, you will need to request an additional key. To request this, please email cyclehubinfo@walthamforest.gov.uk. 

Read our Station Cycle Hub FAQs

We have over 2,000 cycle stands in Waltham Forest. To request or suggest a new location for a cycle stand, please email cycling@walthamforest.gov.uk  

Here are a few tips to help you keep your cycle safe:

• Always lock your cycle when you leave it
• Try to avoid leaving your cycle in isolated places. Leave it where people can see it but avoid leaving it on display for long periods, even if locked properly
• Use a Cycle Stand, Cycle Hub or Bike Hangar where possible
• Lock your cycle through the frame using two good locks
• Secure or remove wheels: Secure removable parts; lock both wheels and the frame together. Remove smaller parts and accessories that can't be secured
• Lock your cycle to an immovable object, like a bike rack or ground anchors. Determined thieves can remove drainpipes and lift bikes over signposts
• Make the lock and cycle hard to move when parked. Stop thieves smashing it open by keeping the lock away from the ground. Keep the gap between the cycle and lock small
• Insure your cycle, either by extending your home contents insurance or by getting a separate policy. Cycling organisations like the London Cycling Campaign and Cycling uk, and many bike shops offer specialist cover
• Make a note of the serial number, make and model of your cycle. Keep a photograph of your cycle
• Have the frame security marked. Visit the Bike Register website to find out how to mark and protect your cycle

Waltham Forest Council supports the use of cargo bikes as a sustainable and practical mode of transport. To maintain safety, accessibility, and the smooth operation of public spaces, please follow the guidance below regarding cargo bike parking across the borough.

Where you can park your cargo bike

On-Street parking:

• Two-wheeled cargo bikes can typically be secured to standard on-street cycle parking stands (Sheffield stands), which are widely available across the borough. These bikes should fit comfortably within a single stand space.
• Three-wheeled cargo bikes are wider and are best parked at either end of a stand to minimise obstruction and provide more space.

Cycle Hubs:
Larger spaces for cargo bikes or adapted cycles are available at:

• Walthamstow Central (Selborne Road)
• Leyton Cycle Hub (Ground Floor)

Please note: Cycle Hubs are intended for short-term, daily use only.

Bikehangars:
Some Bikehangars may accommodate cargo bikes. To enquire:

• Register for a Bikehangar (see information above) and indicate that you have a cargo bike, or
• Email Bikehangars@walthamforest.gov.uk for further guidance.

Where you should not park your cargo bike

Footways and pavements:

• Do not park cargo bikes on pavements or footways unless using designated cycle parking. Parking must not obstruct pedestrians, wheelchair users, people using mobility aids, or those with pushchairs.

Obstruction, safety and enforcement:

• All cycle parking must comply with general rules relating to obstruction and highway safety.
• Cargo bikes causing an obstruction may be removed or relocated by council officers. It is the user’s responsibility to ensure their bike is parked legally and considerately.

How to park your cargo bike:

• Use a heavy-duty D-lock to secure the frame to a fixed, immovable object such as a cycle stand. Do not lock your bike to other street furniture or trees.
• Secure both wheels if possible, and ensure the lock goes through the frame — not just accessories or cargo containers.
• If your cargo bike is electric, remove or lock the battery before leaving it unattended.

We recognise that parking cargo bikes and larger adapted cycles can be more challenging due to their size. Waltham Forest Council is actively exploring dedicated non-standard cycle parking solutions to better accommodate these, and we hope to introduce these once demand and funding is available.

For more information or to share your feedback, please contact: cycling@walthamforest.gov.uk