Barking & Dagenham Independent Cycling Campaign

27/04/2026

This ...
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ASre2o6so/

Often the smartest transportation investments aren’t the most expensive ones. Villo!, Brussels’ public (e-)bike system, has one of the lowest barriers to entry: €1.50 per day or €3.50 per month for unlimited half-hour rides (€4 per month for e-bikes). At first glance, that might seem unsustainably low. But it reflects a deeper understanding: bike-sharing isn’t designed to make cities money. It’s designed to save them money. And the return on investment is substantial:

🚲 Public health savings: More cycling means more daily physical activity baked into people’s routines. That translates into lower healthcare costs, reduced chronic disease, and a healthier population; outcomes that far outweigh the operational costs.

⏱️ Travel time efficiency: Bike-sharing systems reduce congestion and provide fast, flexible first- and last-mile connections. Short urban trips often become quicker by bike than by car or public transport, saving time at scale across the city.

🛣️ Lower infrastructure and maintenance costs: Bicycles are light on infrastructure. Compared to cars, they cause negligible road wear, meaning less spending on repairs and long-term maintenance.

🛡️ Improved road safety: More cyclists typically lead to safer streets; a well-documented “safety in numbers” effect. Plus, fewer cars on the road reduces the severity and frequency of collisions.

🌬️ Reduced air and noise pollution: Every bike trip that replaces a car journey cuts emissions and noise. Cleaner air and quieter streets aren’t just environmental wins. They directly improve quality of life and reduce public health burdens.

When cities evaluate bike-sharing purely as a revenue-generating service, they miss the bigger picture. Systems like Villo! succeed because they’re treated as public infrastructure; just like roads, public transport, or utilities. Low pricing isn’t a flaw in the model, it’s a feature of a strategy focused on long-term societal returns. In the end, the best investments are the ones that don’t look profitable on paper; but pay dividends everywhere else.

22/04/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DkhZUhgJx/

Better Transport Week is back this June for another seven days of celebrations of public and shared transport, walking, wheeling and cycling.

This year, the week will run from 15 to 21 June and will focus on how better transport can help connect people and places.

To find out more and get involved visit bettertransportweek.org.uk.

18/04/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BLFQ48FdQ/

Roll & Stroll is an active travel challenge where you can get more active, have fun and win prizes. You can take part as an individual or with your workplace/social group.

26/03/2026

Here is a petition to get London Boroughs to complete their parts of TfL's cycling network by 2030. Please sign.

Tell your next council leader you want cycle routes that are safe & fun for everyone

17/02/2026

London Cycling Campaign has a bike theft petition. Please sign.

For too long, too little effort has been made to get to grips with cycle theft, and as a result, more and more people are falling victim to a crime that sees the perpetrators act with near impunity.

But it doesn’t have to be this way – LCC’s new report shows how other countries are doing far better at beating the thieves, as are other police forces.

Please support LCC’s campaign calling for action to combat cycle theft, by signing our petition today.

London Cycling Campaign are calling for action to be taken on cycle theft. Sign the petition to pledge your support.

29/01/2026

https://letsride.co.uk/rides/rainham-hall

Weekday ride from Upminster To Rainham Hall. Weds 4/2.

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15/01/2026

I only found out about an hour ago that today is National Pothole Day. Here's some advice on potholes from Cycling UK

Potholes aren’t just a nuisance, they’re downright dangerous. Content Officer Rebecca Armstrong looks at how they form, how to deal with them on a bike and why you should report them

01/01/2026

https://www.meetup.com/hubbub/events/312671020/?slug=hubbub&eventId=312671020

Havering CTC bike ride coming through B&D this Sunday.

Havering CTC ride setting off at 10am sharp from their normal start point outside Roomes nr Upminster Station. The Ride to Trinity Buoy Wharf in Blackwall must pass through

30/12/2025

I have been reporting damaged Voi hire e-bikes online and by SMS without much success, but have been told this can be done by e-mail, which I hadn't tried before today.

[email protected].

Include, preferably the 4-character code (unique vehicle reference) found by the vehicle’s handlebars and the rear mudguard and a picture of the vehicle.

I also include a link to the location of the vehicle on an online map and a brief description of the problem.

23/12/2025

I set up https://www.meetup.com/hubbub/ back in 2007 so that I could list rides in a convenient place. I never (well hardly ever) organised any rides, but if I got to hear of any in NE Greater London, I listed them. I hoped others in the group would do the same.

In truth in recent years it's all gone a bit tired/stale/out of date, but perhaps it could be useful again.

Meetup is having a GDPR driven clear-out of Meetup members who haven't interacted with Meetup for years. This could easily include members of https://www.meetup.com/hubbub/. So if you are in it and want to remain so, please interact.

Cycling events in NE Greater London (London Boroughs of: Barking & Dagenham, Havering, Newham, Redbridge and Waltham Forest. Always check with the organiser, especially for regular (repeating) events.