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Cycle Islington
On your bike
Imagine zipping through the daily grind to arrive at the office alert, on time and able to enjoy a bacon buttie with no fear of a potbelly. For the thousands of Islington residents who cycle to work every day, this is a happy reality. Cycling makes the borough greener, cleaner, and safer. And its serious fun. So weve put together this guide, with insights from local commuters, page 22 to 53, need to know tips for biking in Islington, page 2 to 6, and four of the best routes through the borough, page 8, 30, 42 and 54, to help you find the quickest way to work.
Why cycle
commute gets your blood pumping and will burn about 300 calories an hour, equal to a pint a day. Or a yearly loss of kg of body fat, if youre keen to rediscover your abs. Cycling can protect against coronary heart disease, diabetes, strokes, osteoporosis and colon cancer. But if you have health problems, discuss cycling with your doctor first.
Speed Cyclings the fastest way to travel in Stress-busting Being active releases
In 1949, 34% of miles travelled using a mechanical mode were by bicycle. Today, that figure is down to just 1-2%. Even though most of us own bikes there are an estimated 27 million across the UK we just dont use them. Cost saving On a bike you save your tube or
bus fare, and if you are driving into the south of the borough you avoid the 8 a day congestion charge a whopping ,000 a year. You wont need to be paying that costly gym membership anymore either.
Central London and will guarantee you arrive on time. Plus Islington has the advantage of being a fairly small, flat borough with lots of cycle routes. endorphins that can elevate your mood, reduce stress levels and easily make the cycling rush a serious addiction. Not to mention therell be no more road rage or tube delays.
a bike, youll help reduce the main source of air and noise pollution in London.
Getting a bike
any type of bicycle. Ideally, youll need one thats reliable, robust and simple to maintain like a hybrid. But you can easily start out on an old bike and with the money you save on tube and bus fares youll soon have enough for a decent upgrade.
Mountain
Street
a road bike but want more robust wheels and tyres then take a look at a street bike. Theyre like road bikes with flat handlebars, so you get the speed of a road bike with the riding position of a mountain bike an ideal fast commuting bike.
Folding
Road
For more bike advice, stop by the Islington Cyclists Action Group. They meet on the second Wednesday of every month at the Town Hall from 7.30 pm. Road bike Light and nimble, if speed is your
thing then this is your bike. A road bikes tyres are narrow and slick for lower rolling resistance and are slightly larger than a mountain bikes so once youre up to speed you can really move. The downsides are they are more prone to punctures, and may not be as comfortable as a hybrid. But being fast and efficient, a road bike suits a longer commute on good roads.
mountain bike-style frame, the hybrid, as its name suggests, gives you the best of both worlds. Part speed of a road bike mixed with part rugged durability of a mountain bike, and finished off with flat bars for a more comfortable cycling position. A good choice for commuting.
it says on the tin and folds neatly away in seconds to let you carry it with you on a bus, train or in your car. Perfect for nailing that commute from your local station, their smaller wheels add to their compactness and lightness. Best kept for relatively short urban distances.
fortable commute. A saddle thats too low will tire you out and put extra strain on your knees. A more upright position can ease back and neck strain. Make sure you can just about extend your leg on the down-stroke, and that your hips do not rock. Handlebars should be easy to reach drop bars make for a lower, faster riding position while flat bars give you a more upright position and better view of the traffic. A local bike shop can adjust your bike to match your size and give you more advice.
Brakes Check your brakes daily. Put the front brake on and push forward, and do the same for the back brakes. Your bike shouldnt move and the brake levers should not touch the handlebars. If they do, your brakes need adjusting. Check theres plenty of rubber left on the brake blocks.
2 Gears Check if your gears change smoothly. If not, it could be a minor bike shop job. 6 3 Chain Remember to regularly oil your chain its one of the kindest things you can do for your bike. 4 Pedals Grab both pedals and rock at right angles to the bike. If theres a lot of movement, your bottom bracket is too loose. 5 Wheels If the wheel wobbles from side to side as it passes through the brake blocks, its a buckled wheel and needs truing at a bike shop.
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Get your own cycle in gear Brush up on your maintenance skills for free at the councils cycle training sessions. Go to www.islington.gov.uk/cycling for more information.
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Tyres Always check your tyres are well inflated. If you dont have a gauge, borrow a pump and get a feel for the appropriate pressure. Punctures can be caused by a number of things including low tyre pressure.
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If you love your bike, chances are someone else will too.
a lock that matches the quality of your bike 20% of the cost of your bike as a guide. A bike you love deserves a top range hardened D lock or high quality padlock and chain. Look for the sold secure mark, which categorises locks into bronze, silver and gold ratings.
immovable, unbreakable object in a busy, well-lit place. Dont just lock the frame, but all removable parts such as the wheels and seat try cable extension locks that will go around the wheel, frame and immovable objects.
recovered and returned to the owners by the police. Its worthwhile security to mark your bike and register it at www.immobilise.com. To find your frame number, turn your bike upside down and look for a code on the bottom bracket (the bit of frame between the pedals).
police. You might get it back, and crime figures help the police commit their resources.
Safe spots Check out the first secure lock up of its kind in London 125 automated cycle racks on Blackstock Road opposite Finsbury Park.
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Cycle safe
brakes are working and that your tyres are pumped up before leaving the house.
be seen by other road users, especially at junctions or roundabouts where around 0% of collisions take place. Wear bright, fluorescent or reflective clothing and use good lights flashing are more visible than static.
road cant hear you ring your bell to warn them youre around.
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Cycling to work
Practicalities for the ride
Pavement cycling Tempting as it can be, if you ride on the pavement you risk a 30 fine or knocking over a pedestrian. Dont do it. Avoid the gutter Keep a metre space between
you and parked cars or the kerb. Doors opening into cyclists are a major cause of cycling accidents.
clothes you cycled to work in, resist the urge to race. You wouldnt run to work in your suit, so take it easy in the morning and save the fitness workout for the way home.
you need are good lights and high quality locks. But a snug fitting helmet, weatherproof, visible outer clothing and a pannier for carrying your heavier work stuff are a good idea in the long run.
on a main road in Islington (like Upper Street or Camden Road), report it to TFL Customer Services and Street Faults on 0845 305 245 or email enquiries@streetmanagement.org.uk For issues on other Islington roads, call 020 52 2000 or email contact@islington.gov.uk
boss for some help in making your commute easier with the governments cycle scheme. Your company could help save you money on the cost of a bike, give you cycle mileage and even put in showers at work. Go to www.cyclescheme.co.uk to find out more.
The weather excuse Bad weather is often cited as an excuse not to cycle. But in London it only rains heavily for on average 12 days a year. Honestly.
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Commuter routes
Quickest way to the office, please On the following pages youll find four main commuter cycle routes through Islington: p18 p30 p42 p54 Goodbye gridlock Canonbury to Clerkenwell For the fast not furious Finsbury Park to Kings Cross Down by the canal Hackney to Camden Whistling to work Camden Road to Old Street One, or part of one, may fit with your particular commute. See p64 for more information on free travel maps.
key to graphs
time distance times to cross a football pitch
5 = 5 minutes
110m calories burned 1 pint of bitter = 170 calories
75m
carbon emissions saved average car 163g CO2/km bus per passenger 60g CO2/km
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Goodbye gridlock
Canonbury to Clerkenwell
routes through Islington, theres safety in the sheer number of other cyclists. It travels through Angel into Central London along Colebrooke Row.
overview
Archway Finsbury Park
Holloway Road
Angel
Farringdon
time
distance
calories burned
11 204g 555g
142 kcal
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P P Y Y CA NO NB U R CA NO NB U R
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Jon Snow
Newsreader
Renowned newsreader for Channel 4 News, Islington resident and now president of CTC*, Jon Snow commutes to work by bike. His biographies often mention his cycling as much as his awarded career.
What is your favourite route through Islington? Highbury Fields to Rosebery Avenue. What is the best advice you would give a new cyclist? Go very carefully on city
streets, dont trust the painted bike lanes, assume the car has not seen you and even if it has might not mind killing you.
What safety tips would you give a new cyclist? Carry more locks than you think
you need, carry more lights and more fluorescent than you would want to be seen dead in.
What are you planning to do with your newfound power as president of CTC*? To politicise and raise the profile
of the urban cyclist and their needs, and to put the bike at the centre of any eventual integrated transport scheme.
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James Smith
BMX Rider
A professional flatland rider from South West London James is able to travel all over the world, riding full time due to his sponsorships from Wethepeople Bike co, Carhartt, Lotek and www.style43.com
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to when I was a kid, I always enjoyed riding bikes and over the years I guess I got addicted.
with friends, reading BMX magazines, getting a BMX of my own and trying to do tricks.
What tips would you give to a BMX novice? If its something you want to get good at,
it takes a lot of passion and time and persistence.
What is your best trick? I ride mainly flatland, How many bikes do you have and which is your favourite? It seems its always the one
Im riding at the time I find perfect.
but last year I took some time to ride park and I learnt to do back flips.
Do you know of any good BMX riding places in London? South Bank Im usually
there most weekends or late at night with friends riding till the early hours.
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all main roads. From Finsbury Park via Arsenals new stadium to Liverpool Road, into York Way and then down to Kings Cross. Down Thornhill Road you can enjoy the new cyclist-friendly speed humps.
overview
Archway
Finsbury Park
Finsbury Park
Arsenal
Holloway Road Caledonian Road
Traffic Watch out for industrial traffic around Tip If you want to get back in touch with
York Way. Luckily the roads are big and therefore give cyclists more room.
Kings Cross
nature, take Parkland Walk from Finsbury Park north towards Highgate. Not all parks are open to cycling if you see a blue sign with a bicycle in it, its ok to ride. Ben, Finsbury Park commuter
Farringdon
time
distance
calories burned
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FINSBURY PARK
FINSBURY PARK
AD RO
AD RO
SIS
SEVE N SEVE N
TE
RS RS TE SIS
ST.
THOMAS
ST.
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BL AC
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KS C TO K
KS C TO K
ROAD
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ROAD
ROAD
ROAD
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R OA
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DRAYTON PARK
DRAYTON PARK
FIELDW AY
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PL.
MAD
RAS
PL.
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FIELDW AY
ES C
CR
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DRAYTO N
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BENWELL
(A1 )
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LI V E R P LI V E R P
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LI V E R P OOL
HIGHBURY &HIGHBURY & ISLINGTON ISLINGTON
CANONBURYCANONBURY
RO AD RD OF FO
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Basin
Basin
Will Stevens
www.tallbiketourbritain.com
A resident of Highbury, one time bicycle courier in Montreal and currently an art student, Will rode his tall bike around the coastline of Britain for charity.
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Why did you get into tall bike riding? How far have you ever ridden it? My
I first came across tall bikes in New York when I raced at the bicycle messenger world championships in 2005. brother and I spent five months riding 5,821 miles around the coastline of Great Britain. Its the furthest tall bikes have ever been ridden.
How do you get on and off your tall bike? With a lot of practice! Its a running
start. A bit like getting on a moving horse.
What do you enjoy most about riding your tall bike? The view. Where do you ride it? Anywhere. On
the trip, we rode over mudflats, sandy beaches, crowded town centres, forest tracks, and mountain passes even motorways!
Have you met anyone with a taller bike than yours? Never met, but I believe
there are triple-decker bikes about.
as if the world doesnt have too much longer before major environmental changes start taking place, largely as a result of petrol engines. Cycling is a way to make a difference, however small.
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Rainy Dias
Cycle commuter
Originally from France, Rainy has lived in Angel since 2005. She works in PR and her bike is called Wheelie.
What trips do you make regularly by bicycle? Angel to Marble Arch. Marble Arch
to Putney. Putney to Angel.
What is your favourite route through Islington? The towpath to Victoria Park is lovely
though crowded and its a miracle I havent ended up in the canal yet.
What kind of bicycle do you ride and why? Second hand mountain bike because it
feels comfortable.
What safety tips would you give a new cyclist? Wear masses of reflective
gear and make sure you are as visible as possible. Check around you regularly. Watch out for errant pedestrians.
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the route follows the canal and then navigates the streets of Angel a handy place to stop for that morning croissant if you have time.
overview
Archway Finsbury Park
time
distance
calories burned
831g 306g
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N R OA
WAY
WAY
NIA
NIA
N R OA
DO
DO
ROA
YOR K
YOR K
LE
CA
LEY
AD
AD
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RO
STR
STR
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W AL K
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S HE PH E RD ES S
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S HE PH E RD ES S
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City Road Basin
ST
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N SQU ARE
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NEW NOR
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Jason Olding
www.raleigh-chopper-workshop.co.uk
Jason restores old classic Raleigh Chopper and Grifter cycles to make them available for everyone aged 9 to 90 to enjoy.
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How do you maintain your Chopper? How do you stop someone stealing your Chopper? Never leave it unattended
for even a moment. 240 volts helps too.
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Dominic Mandrell
Cycle commuter Dominic has worked as a graphic designer in Islington for nearly 15 years. He started cycling regularly to work two years ago and has caught the bike bug.
What do you enjoy most about cycling? What trips do you make regularly by bicycle? To work and back Stamford Hill to
Islington although Im now such a cycling enthusiast my bike is really an extension of my legs and I pretty much take it everywhere.
What is your favourite route through Islington? Clissold Park and down into the leafy
back streets of Canonbury. Its very picturesque, especially when the sun is out.
What safety tips would you give a new cyclist? Dont overtake bendy buses!
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Whistling to work
Camden Road to Old Street
overview
Archway
Finsbury Park
southbound, youll have to get off and walk for 20 metres down Bath Street or follow the cycle route around via Mora Street.
Highbury& Islington
Square so its a good way to commute further into East London if you need to. There are improvements taking place along this stretch of canal so check before you ride. Steve, Camden commuter
Angel
Old Street
Farringdon
time
distance
calories burned
978g 360g
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RO RF OR D N HU GE RF
AD D
RO
AD
N HU
GE
OR
DRAYTON PARK
DRAYTON PARK
AT CORPOR STREET
AT CORPOR STREET
N O R TH
R O A D TH NOR
ROAD
CALEDONIAN CALEDONIAN ROAD ROAD
ION
ION
ROA
ROA
D O N IA
D O N IA
CALE
CALE
(A 1 )
BEWDLEY
BEWDLEY STREET
STREET
S TR E E
UPPER
CR
UPPER
S TR E E
OS
CR
(A 1 )
YO
RK
NO RT H
YO
RK
RO ADRT H NO
RO AD
SH EA R
SH EA R
LI N G
LI N G
W AY
Reg e
W AY
M AR KE T
nts Can Reg e al nts C an
RO AD T M AR KE
RO AD
CK MA
EN
Z IE
ROA
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EN
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al
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W AY
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OU RN E RO AD
WEST BOUR
OU RN
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WEST BOUR
RO AD RD OF FO
D. NE R
RO AD
L I VE RP O O L L I VE RP O O L
D. NE R
T H OR N HI
T H OR N HI
LL
ROAD
LL
ROAD
R O AD
R O AD
ST
OS
RE
ET
ST
RE
AD RO
ET
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57SEX
ES
ES
SE
S ES
EX
RD
. S ES EX
RD
PA C K IN G TO N
PA C K IN G TO N ST
STR EET STR EET
ST
INGS ROSS
KINGS CROSS KINGS CROSS KINGS CROSS THAMESLINK THAMESLINK ANGEL ANGEL
PR
.
EB
EN
PR
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PA CK
ING TO N
SQU ARE
ING TO N
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e Reg nts Can al e Reg nts Can al
ARE
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IT
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IT
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STR EET
BA TH
BA TH
STR EET
SHEPHE
RDESS
WALK
OLD
ROW
ILL
NH
BU
WEL
L S TR
WEL
EET
L S TR
EET
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BU
NH
ILL
ROW
REE S TO L D T S T R E E T
OLD STREET
OLD STREET
OLD
S TO LD T S T R EE T R EE
Bobbin Bicycles
Mail Order Company, T 020 7253 1058 www.bobbinbicycles.com What kind of bicycles do you sell? We sell Dutch old-style bikes new bikes with jaunty vintage styling. Why are they good for riding in Islington? Bobbins are great for coasting along. Our front dynamo headlights are eco-friendly: the faster you peddle the brighter your light! What specialty services does Bobbin Bicycles offer? If you live or work in Islington, we can drop your new bike round and give you riding and route tips.
Finsbury Cycles
185 Seven Sisters Road, T 020 7263 0007 What specialty service do you offer? Every Wednesday between 6 pm and 7pm we offer security stamping of bicycles.
Holloway Cycles
302 Holloway Road, T 020 7700 6222 What are your top selling commuting bikes? Hybrids the most popular bikes in London. Sian Emmison and Tom Morris, Bobbin Bicycles
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Cycle Surgery
70 Holloway Road, T 020 7697 2848 What is your top selling bike? Hybrid bikes. What is the most common repair problem? Worn out chain intercept or buckled wheels. How is Cycle Surgery different? The service is better! We do what we can to make sure the customer leaves with a positive feeling about cycling.
Mosquito Bikes
123 Essex Road, T 020 7226 8765 What is your top selling bike? Marin Larkspur on the budget. What is the best bicycle in the shop? Scott SUB 10, SOMA imported from San Francisco and built in the shop. A single speed, light and simple-looking courier bike. How is Mosquito Bikes different? Its run by three cyclists and committed to high quality service. Weve been there for 20 years.
S&S Cycles
29 Chapel Market, T 020 7278 1631 What are your best bikes for commuters? Urban range or Giant Expression.
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Cycling in Islington
www.islington.gov.uk/cycling www.lcc.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=733
Cycling in London
Routes in London and to order cycling maps www.tfl.gov.uk/cycles
Cycling in the UK
www.sustrans.org.uk www.ctc.org.uk
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