Ever wanted to cycle with your family but don’t know where to start? Want to join the increasing numbers of people cycling with their children in lockdown? Well our family cycling library could be for you!
Climate Action Lewisham, working with Lewisham Cyclists successfully bid for grant funding from Transport for London in February 2021 to set up a Family Cycling Library here in Lewisham, similar to one currently running in Hackney.
We took our inspiration on the project from them and the video below explains how it works.
You can read more about how some of our local families in Lewisham get around with their children on bikes here on our blog or read some of the testimonials at the bottom of this page.
Lewisham Family Cycling Library can lend you an electrically-assisted cargo-trike to transport your kids around. You can also hire other children’s rear-mounted seats or trailers, so that you can leave your car at home for the shorter trips. The library currently has an Christiania electric cargo trike with space for up to 4 kids, as well as a full range of various front and rear child seats, along with 3 rear trailers (2 for transporting up to 2 kids each and 1 trailer for cargo).
Our library sessions run once a month from April to October. Once you’ve had a 20 minute training session, you’re eligible to borrow the e-trike, or any other item, for up to two weeks. There’s a refundable deposit needed and an ID check, then it’s yours to try out for up to a fortnight.
We also can arrange private loan sessions with local schools, community groups, businesses and also residents in Lewisham. Here we would provide full training on how to use all equipment and also useful advice on how to look after it.
You can register your interest for the Lewisham Family Cycling Library by completing the form at this link, or by emailing us directly to borrow items from the library once you’ve had a training session with us.
Testimonials
Here are some comments from people who have borrowed equipment from us:
“It was great fun borrowing the e-cargo bike. As a family that cycles a lot already, I was surprised how good it was for journeys that we perhaps avoided previously based on distance. So instead of getting a combination of transports to get to piano lessons in Crofton Park we cycled all the way and back (and enjoyed it too). We also did the Bromley Junior parkrun whereas previously it was that bit too far for our 5-year old to cycle. It was a sociable way to travel as I could see the children and talk to them as we were travelling. I even experimented with 4 young children in there for Halloween and it worked brilliantly. I am convinced an e-cargo bike is suitable for us as a young family and will be useful for at least the next 5 years (until our children reach secondary age). I can also see how I would be able to double up and use the e-cargo bike for business purposes as we run a cafe. We are keen to avoid owning a car/van but have considered it recently because of the need to sometimes buy heavy items at short notice e.g. milk. The e-cargo bike provides us with an alternative more sustainable option.” Steven J.
“This was such an amazing experience to borrow the e-trike. I was a bit apprehensive due to the weather and worrying it would be to cold for the children but I think that made the experience all the bit better. The children absolutely loved it. I was able to get all 3 of my children in the cargo and do shopping too with enough space for 4-5 big shopping bags! I really started using the bike rather than my car and can actually see our family using an e-trike as our main source of transportation. I felt it was really good for myself also as it was a means for me to keep fit. I would also ride the bike everyday to drop my son to school and the little errands I needed to run.” Kamara