Peddle onto the property ladder with L&Q in London

According to data from a recently commissioned report by Transport for London, the number of people cycling in the capital is at an all-time high, with statistics indicating that between March and mid-June 2022, cycling levels were on average 24 per cent higher than the same period in 2019.*

With so many more cyclists on the road, developers are increasingly prioritising bikes in the design of developments, through the provision of forward thinking and cyclist-friendly developments with easy access to some of London’s prime cycle routes.

One such developer is L&Q, who recently launched new collections of homes in Walthamstow and Whitechapel which are ideally placed for easy access to the capital’s expansive network of cycle routes.

Situated on one of the cycle routes being delivered as part of the Waltham Forest Mini Holland scheme, a £30m project improving cycling infrastructure across the borough, is The Chain, a collection of 518 studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments that offers an impressive 800 secure cycling spaces for residents. Virtually car-free, the development is entirely cycle-themed, with every block at The Chain named with the two-wheeled sport in mind, such as Rally Building, Tandem house and Velo House.

In Whitechapel, L&Q’s attractive collection of one- and two-bedroom Shared Ownership homes at the Silk District, are ideally located for cyclists on the Cycle Superhighway 2, providing a safe and efficient bike route across the capital. Recently named the winner of the 2022 Resi Awards’ highly competitive ‘Development of the Year’ category, all residents have access to bike storage on site, making exploring the capital on two wheels even easier.

Claire Brenlund, Sales and Marketing Director at L&Q, comments: “TfL’s recent Cycling Action Plan recognises the importance of making cycling more accessible for people in London, by reducing road danger for users, improving on-street signage and digital mapping and delivering the cycle parking plan to provide more bike storage.* In light of TfL’s strategy, we’re pleased to be offering homes for first-time buyers in the capital which have bike storage and enjoy quick access to London’s network of cycle routes.

Our Shared Ownership homes at The Chain and L&Q at The Silk District offer a genuinely affordable opportunity to step onto the property ladder, and are both located in vibrant East London neighbourhoods, renowned for their wide array of nearby cultural venues and leisure activities.”

L&Q’s popular development, The Chain, is centred around outdoor living with each home featuring a balcony or terrace, and communal gardens positioned across the development. Contemporary high-specification kitchens feature modern handless cabinetry, Silestone work surfaces and fully integrated appliances. Additional extras include a freestanding washer/dryer in the utility cupboard and a video door entry system for extra convenience.

Offering first-time buyers a taste of the high life, L&Q at The Silk District gives residents the chance to enjoy access to an incredible array of on-site amenities that are rare to come by with Shared Ownership. A state-of-the-art gym is kitted out with a full selection of Technogym exercise equipment, as well as a private Peloton studio for spinning classes. Residents can also book out a private cinema space, ideal for entertaining guests.

Close to a wealth of cultural and entertainment opportunities, residents at both The Chain and L&Q at The Silk District enjoy a plethora of restaurants, bars and cafes on the doorstep. Walthamstow is a lively neighbourhood that mixes a contemporary, exciting art scene in with the best of authentic old London, as well as offering easy access to open green spaces including the Walthamstow Wetlands. Meanwhile, in Whitechapel, buyers will experience the best of East End character and history, with the trendy neighbourhoods of Shoreditch, Brick Lane and Spitalfields Market less than a 10-minute walk from the development.

As well as being situated on two of London’s major cycle networks, the two developments are ideally located for residents to benefit from excellent transport connections. From The Chain, three rail stations, St James Street, Walthamstow Central, and Walthamstow Queen’s Road are within walking distance of the development, providing residents both Underground and Overground links. Central London is only a few minutes away on the Victoria and Bakerloo Underground lines, whilst a direct Overground service from St James Street to Liverpool Street takes just 16 minutes. Meanwhile, L&Q at The Silk District is located a short walk from Whitechapel station, which is well-connected on the District Line, Hammersmith & City and Overground lines, meaning residents enjoy swift connections into central London and beyond. With the introduction of the Elizabeth Line, journeys will take just 3 minutes to Canary Wharf, 2 minutes to Liverpool Street and 10 minutes to Bond Street.