More than 3,000 new parking spaces for bicycles – costing £1.6million – are coming to the borough soon.

Today, Waltham Forest Council announced it would install more than 500 new bike hangars around the borough to add to almost 700 available currently.

Hangar spaces are available for local residents to rent for £35 a year per bike, which the council claims is “amongst the lowest [fee] in London”.

Between January and March next year, the council will also open new cycling “hubs” outside stations, adding 160 spaces at Blackhorse Road Station and 26 new spaces each outside Chingford and Highams Park stations.

A bicycle hub in Leytonstone (credit: Waltham Forest Council)

Deputy council leader Clyde Loakes said: “We’re continuously supporting local people to ditch their car and help reduce the number of car journeys in Waltham Forest.

“This investment will give over 3,000 more residents in our borough easy access to their bike near to their home. All the bike hangars are secure, waterproof, convenient and safe places to store your bike.

“Alongside our 11 cycle hubs at key transport locations across the borough and the 50km and growing segregated cycle lanes – the second highest in London – we’re showing that Waltham Forest will continue to be a leader on cycling in London and across the UK.

“Cycling and walking is good for you physically and mentally, and supporting and expanding active travel transport infrastructure is a key part of our commitment to building a greener and cleaner borough.

“Apply for your spot in a bike hangar today – and together let’s reduce harmful emissions and make our neighbourhoods safer and less polluted places for everyone to enjoy.”