BUG is the Bicycle Users Group. We campaign for better conditions for cyclists of all ages and abilities at Woodside Square.
Current organiser: Angela Hobsbaum
Storage and security
Above ground
There are cycle sheds allocated to each block of flats. Levens and Jarman share a cycle shed; Chatto shares with the houses in Olmstead Close. The sheds have fob access and strong magnetic locks on the doors. Make sure the doors close securely. Residents of Avebury, Norton Lees and Roseneath are expected to use the underground car park.
Underground car park
There are three areas of cycle parking: a small area to the left of the vehicle entrance, with 16 Sheffield stands, and two long ranks of cycle racks in separate areas, one with 25 Sheffield stands, the other with 40 two-tier racks. Altogether these racks could accommodate 160 cycles!
Garages
If you have your own garage, this is the safest place to keep your bike.
Security
Determined bike thieves will use angle-grinders to cut through the best D-locks and we are working to improve the security, both above and below ground.
The cycle sheds above ground have been broken into; we have asked that the notices on them should be removed. All users should secure their cycles with strong D-locks, and owners of valuable bikes in the sheds should consider using an alarm to deter thieves.
Underground

There have been thefts despite restricted access to the garage. We are asking Anchor Hanover to install floor-to-ceiling metal sheeting to conceal the contents of the areas and to provide stronger locks; initially we want them to make the smallest cage secure. All users should ensure they use strong D-locks.
Bikeregister
https://www.bikeregister.com is the UK’s national police-approved bicycle marking and registration scheme. It won’t stop your bike being stolen but might make it easier to identify and retrieve it.
Children’s bikes
These can be stored in the cycle sheds or in your own garage.
Cycling around Woodside Square

Please respect the one-way system. When motor vehicles keep to the speed limit, this is a safe area for children learning to ride; the area between Chatto and Jarman is traffic-tree. Many people cycling from Grand Avenue to Woodside Avenue cycle straight down against the traffic, which can be dangerous. Don’t do it!
Keeping your wheels
On a development designed for older people, it’s likely that some cyclists will want to move to an electric bike, to make the local hills less challenging. E-bikes can be charged in the cycle sheds (I think).
Tricycles
Some people with mobility problems find that tricycles are a good way to keep moving, providing exercise as well as increasing their range.
Adapted cycles
There are many ingenious and efficient adaptations to conventional cycles; Wheels for Wellbeing campaigns for inclusive cycling wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk
Local cycle shops
The nearest shop is Muswell Hill Bikes https://www.muswellhillbikes.co.uk/
Just round the corner at 53 Fortis Green Rd, N10 3HP, 020 8883 3510.
Open every day, including Sunday. Very busy during Covid-19.
Finding your way
A helpful route-planner is cyclestreets which offers you three route options: fastest, balanced, quietest. It has photos of the route, and has helpful information about intersections, main roads, crossings, etc. If you clip your smartphone onto your bike you can read the route as you go.
Resources
London Cycling Campaign
Join to support improvements to cycling in London. It’s thanks to LCC campaigns that there are safer HGVs on the roads (you will have heard their ‘Warning! Vehicle turning left’ alerts) although lorries are still a danger on our streets. LCC campaigns for cycleways and better road conditions for everyone who cycles or wants to cycle in London. Membership gives you liability insurance, a free legal helpline, and cycling advice whenever you need it. More information from www.lcc.org.uk
Your local group is Haringey Cyclists which is currently campaigning for Low Traffic Neighbourhoods and School Streets in the borough. Your help would be appreciated!
Cycle training courses
Cycle training courses are run by Haringey Council in non-Covid-times for anyone from beginners to those needing to become more confident in traffic, see https://www.cycleconfident.com/sponsors/haringey/
Pedal-powered taxi and delivery service
https://www.pedalme.co.uk/ provides a fast, comfortable and safe cycle taxi and delivery service if you don’t want to use public transport or motor cars. Will transport you to main-line stations (or anywhere else) with your luggage, in the open air, at a very reasonable cost.
Cycle hire and dockless bikes
At present (January 2021) TfL’s Santander cycle hire scheme does not extend to Haringey, nor do other dockless schemes (Lime, Jump, etc.)
Reporting bad news
Potholes, abandoned bikes, etc. can be reported on https://www.fixmystreet.com/ which is useful if you aren’t sure whether it’s in Barnet, Camden, Haringey or Islington, as this is a national reporting system which will contact the relevant local authority.
Giving up your bike?
If you want to get rid of your bike then Bikes for Good Causes will gladly take it.
https://bikesforgoodcauses.co.uk/
They are local: 350 High Road, Wood Green, N22 8JW, 0208 888 1005. They say:
We accept all donated bikes and it doesn’t matter what condition they are in so if you have a bike that has been lying unused in your garage gathering dust (or garden gathering weeds!) please bring it in. Our aim is to restore all donated bikes we receive to their former glory but sometimes this is not possible so if we can’t restore a bike to one that is a safe and road worthy to sell, we will strip it down and keep any parts that are safe to re-use, either for a repair or offered for sale