At Fairlop Waters
Fairlop Boats & Bikes
31 May 2026
Four wheels, two seats, no experience needed - what a Chuckle Bike is, who it's for, and what it costs.
If two wheels were never your thing, the Chuckle Bikes are the answer. Four wheels, two seats side by side, and no experience needed, so a grown-up and a child can pedal along together round the lake, and nobody has to balance. They're easy, they're stable, and they're a lovely way to see more of Fairlop Waters, our country park in Barkingside, east London. Here's how they work and who they're for.
What a Chuckle Bike actually is
A Chuckle Bike isn't a normal bicycle. It sits on four wheels, like a little buggy you pedal, with two seats next to each other and a steering wheel. Because it has four wheels, it doesn't tip and it won't wobble, so you don't need to know how to ride a bike to get going. You sit down, you start pedalling, and off you go.
That makes it a genuinely easy ride. There's no balancing, no getting your foot down at the lights, no "are they ready for a proper bike yet" worry. Two people pedal together and share the effort, so it's as gentle or as brisk as you like.
Who they're for (just about everyone)
This is the bit we love about them: a Chuckle Bike works for people a two-wheeler leaves out.
Little ones who can't yet ride alone can sit beside you and pedal along, feeling like they're doing it themselves, because they are.
Grown-ups who haven't cycled in years, or never learned, can hop on without a second thought. No skill needed.
Mixed-age families can stay together instead of splitting into "the ones who can cycle" and "the ones who can't". Everyone's on the same bike, at the same pace.
You sit, you pedal, you chat as you go. It's a friendly, unhurried way to cover more of the park than you'd manage on foot, and a nice change of pace from a turn on the lake.
A gentle loop round the lake, and quieter midweek
The Chuckle Bikes follow easy, level paths around Fairlop Waters, so it's a calm ride with plenty to look at: the water on one side, open green space on the other. It's the sort of pootle that suits a relaxed afternoon rather than a workout.
If you can come on a weekday, even better. Midweek is the quietest time at the lake: more room on the paths, shorter waits, and the park at its most peaceful. School-holiday weekdays are a good bet if you'd rather skip the weekend crowds. It's a calmer, easier visit, and the bikes are at their best when there's space to wander.
What it costs and how it works
There's no need to book. Bike hire is first-come, first-served, so you turn up on the day and pay at the boathouse by card or cash. We're open every weekend, all school holidays and bank holidays, from 11am until an hour before sunset. A member of our team will get you set up and point you at the trail before you ride off.
There are two sizes, and you can take one for half an hour or a full hour:
One-bench Chuckle Bike: £17.50 for 30 minutes, or £22.50 for the hour.
Two-bench Chuckle Bike, with room for more of you side by side: £23.50 for 30 minutes, or £32.50 for the hour.
You'll always find the current prices on the bike hire page too.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to know how to ride a bike?
No, that's the whole point. A Chuckle Bike has four wheels, so it won't tip and you don't need to balance. If you can sit and pedal, you can ride one.
Can children ride with me?
Yes. The two seats are side by side, so a grown-up and a child can pedal together and share the effort. It's made for families.
Do I need to book a Chuckle Bike?
No. It's first-come, first-served, so just turn up on the day. If you're bringing a bigger group, call us first on 07700 105100 so we can have enough ready for you.
Where can I ride?
Around the park's paths by the lake. Have a look at the bike trails to plan your loop before you come.
Hire a Chuckle Bike
A Chuckle Bike is one of the easiest, most welcoming ways to get a whole family out and moving: no skills, no fuss, just two seats and four wheels round a lovely lake. No booking needed: pick a day, head for Barkingside, and turn up.
See the bike trails to plan your route.
Fancy the water instead? Hire a boat on the lake: pedalos, rowing boats and electric boats.
Planning a group? Call us on 07700 105100.