Bikeability Programme to Be Restored in the Borough
Free cycling proficiency training had been paused due to 'budget constraints'
Lessons will be restarting in the new year. Picture: Bikeworks
October 27, 2026
Cycling lessons in Hammersmith and Fulham are due to restart in the new year after months of cancellations due to “budget constraints” and a procurement exercise.
Transport for London (TfL) provides funding to all of the capital’s boroughs to deliver cycle training to residents.
While TfL allocates the support it is down to the councils to decide how lessons are managed, with most taking on private providers to deliver the teaching. In Hammersmith and Fulham this is done by Bikeworks and Cycling Instructor.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) understands that in February Bikeworks sent a letter to its instructors informing them that, due to “budget constraints”, it would have to cancel upcoming sessions.
Lessons eventually resumed, though in September both providers wrote to instructors stating none would proceed until Hammersmith and Fulham Council completes a procurement exercise, expected at the end of October.
Imogen Tranchell, a Green campaigner and actor who has been teaching cycling for several years, described the sudden cancellations as “outrageous”, leaving many instructors with little to no work.
Hammersmith and Fulham Council has said the sessions earlier in the year were paused while funding was confirmed. Once this was secured the affected lessons were rescheduled and delivered.
They added the pause announced in September was to keep the procurement process fair for every bidder, with the new contract to begin in January 2027. Training will then restart as soon as possible after that.
The Bikeability programme, previously known as cycling proficiency, offers free cycle skills, confidence and road training. It is funded by TfL and offered across all London boroughs.
The Bikeworks update in February meant that some Hammersmith and Fulham residents were left without lessons and instructors without work, reportedly amounting to 60 booked days over the month and into March.
The union, IWGB, was in communication with the council at the time seeking answers as to why the sessions were being cancelled.
In September instructors again received notice, from both of the borough’s providers, stating no work is to proceed until the procurement exercise has been completed.
The LDRS has been told the notice took immediate effect, leaving instructors with no time to find additional work.
In a letter to the Hammersmith and Chiswick Labour MP, Andy Slaughter, sent earlier this month, the union’s Cycling Instructors Branch Chair Charlie Cornwall wrote: “The delivery of the service is undeniably dependent on the work and skills of freelance cycling instructors. It is imperative that they know what to expect and where they stand by being included and informed in good time. The way in which instructors have been treated this year in Hammersmith and Fulham has shown a distinct disregard for their value.
“The feelings of concern and stress caused by these decisions are leading to real hardship among instructors. They do not know whether training will continue within the Borough and some instructors have actively started looking for other employment.”
The union estimates around a third of the year’s lessons have been missed due to the cancellations.
Mr Cornwall said: “Yet again the budget for cycle training has been reduced or, in this case, cancelled.
“Cycling is a core skill that should be easily accessible to everyone. It is key to increasing cycle journeys travelled and instrumental in reducing pollution.
“The decision taken this year by Hammersmith and Fulham may leave a lasting detriment to those who have missed out on being able to benefit from it.
“Instructors have also been left severely out of pocket and would like answers to the questions raised with local MPs and other government officials responsible for cycle training and Active Travel in the area.”
Ms Tranchell said the procurement process has not halted the service in the past.
She added that while the funds from TfL are “inadequate”, other boroughs have managed to deliver a continuous service.
On the cancellations, Ms Tranchell said: “We are low-paid and precarious. That’s a huge impact in terms of what you can do.”
TfL is understood to have provided more than £2.7 million to Hammersmith and Fulham to support cycling provision for 2026/27.
A TfL spokesperson said: “Cycle training in the capital provides a valuable opportunity for people of all ages and abilities to gain the skills and confidence to cycle safely. While TfL provides funding to boroughs to support the delivery of this training, local authorities decide how programmes are commissioned, scheduled and delivered.
“Decisions on how cycle training is phased throughout the year are therefore a matter for individual boroughs, provided funding is used for its intended purpose and agreed outcomes are delivered. We remain committed to supporting high-quality cycle training across London and recognise the valuable role that instructors play in delivering this service.”
A Hammersmith and Fulham Council spokesperson said its free training offer has helped more than 8,500 local people improve their cycling skills in the last three years, including hundreds of local students.
“We’re also making improvements to our protected cycle lanes in White City and Hammersmith while investing in more secure bike storage for residents, including a brand-new cycle hub in Fulham,” they added.
“Our popular training scheme will resume in the new year as part of our work to make walking and cycling the safe and convenient choice in Hammersmith and Fulham. It’s healthier for residents, better for our air and cheaper too.”
Bikeworks and Cycling Instructor were approached for comment.
Ben Lynch - Local Democracy Reporter
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