A summer of walking and cycling in Waltham Forest

Activities run by our Community Walking and Cycling Fund recipients are in full swing this summer. These are community groups who have received funding to help get more people walking and cycling, and the activities are all designed to offer opportunities to socialise as well - whether it's walking with other members of the LGBTQ+ community with elop, or group cycling with Black or Muslim women. Check them out below and get in touch with the community groups for more information or to join the activities.

elop's summer walks programme

From June to September, elop invite you to walk together, enjoying some hidden gems in and around Waltham Forest while chatting to others in a relaxed environment. All of the walks offer a welcoming space to meet up and connect with others and are for different groups within the LGBTQ+ community.

Trans and non-binary

• Thursday 17 July, 6:30pm
• Saturday 6 September, 2pm

LGBTQ+ migrants, refugees and those seeking asylum

• Tuesday 1 July, 6:30pm
• Friday 12 September, 6.30pm

LGBTQ+

• Friday 27 June, 6:30pm
• Tuesday 22 July, 6:30pm
• Saturday 2 August, 4pm
• Wednesday 27 August, 6:30pm
• Saturday 27 September, 2pm

LGBTQ+ rainbow families – parents and children

• Sunday 24 August, 2:30pm

LBT+ women

• Tuesday 29 July, 6:30pm
• Thursday 21 August, 6:30pm

LGBTQ+ over 50s

• Friday 11 July, 6:30pm

LGBTQ+ youth, 12 to18 years old

• Wednesday 13 August, 2pm
• Thursday 28 August, 11am

Get more information and sign up by emailing events@elop.org

JoyRiders: cycling for all the family

Local cycling group JoyRiders have a series of family-friendly rides coming up, all starting at Leyton Jubilee Park and heading out to different locations. All of the rides are on Sundays, starting at 10am and finishing at 1pm. 

There will be rides on: 27 July, 3 August, 10 August, 17 August, 24 August, 31 August, 26 October, and 2 November. 

Head over to JoyRiders' new booking system to take part.

Black Women on Wheels: freedom to ride

If you're a Black woman and want to ride with other Black women while building confidence on your bike - these sessions are for you! Black Women on Wheels have a series of guided rides, and two free cycle maintenance sessions, taking place over their summer. 

For full information and to book, head over to the Black Women on wheels Eventbrite page or Black Women on wheels Instagram.

Cycle Sisters

Cycle Sisters are dedicated to helping more Muslim women get cycling. They have a series of group rides coming up for the summer - described as rides for anyone who can 'pedal, balance and steer'! For more information about the rides and to sign up, head over to the Cycle Sisters website. The rides are on:

• Saturday 21 June, 9:45am to 12:30pm
• Wednesday 25 June, 9:30am to 12:30pm
• Wednesday 2 July, 9:30am to 12:30pm
• Saturday 5 July, 9:45am to 12:30pm
• Wednesday 9 July, 9:30am to 12:30pm
• Wednesday 16 July, 9:30am to 12:30pm
• Saturday 19 July, 9:45am to 12:30pm

Sapphire Arts and Crafts: walk, talk and sketch project

Sapphire are providing a new walking group with a twist: you'll take inspiration from the walks to create art.

This 12 week project starts on Wednesday 18 June, and is open to all women living in Waltham Forest. All sessions take place on either Monday or Wednesday mornings, and you do not have to attend all sessions. 

You can register your interest to find out more by completing the Sapphire's form.

As well as activities from the Community Walking and Cycling Fund, there are lots of ways to get moving in Waltham Forest this summer:

• Dr Bike dates every weekend until September - bring your cycle along for a free check up by the Dr Bike mechanics, who will fix small issues on the spot and let you know about any other work that needs doing
• Weekly All Ability Cycling Club sessions at Leyton Jubilee Park have extended hours for the summer. From 9.30am to 12.30pm, drop in and try out a range of cycles, including recumbents, side-by-side cycles, handcycles and tricycles. The All Ability Club is for everyone and is particularly welcoming of anyone with SEND or physical disabilities.
• Waltham Forest Wanders These are a series of walks through the borough, designed to take you through the best of our green spaces while showing you some of Waltham Forest's history and culture
• If you'd like to try out cycling this summer, you can borrow one of our cycles for free, for up to a month at a time. We have standard cycles, cargo cycles and even a tricycle!