Getting a Bike
Active Travel Hub > Cycling > Getting a Bike
buying or hiring a Bike
Getting a bike can be a daunting prospect. There are a lot of things to consider but there are plenty of places to get advice locally. You should consider where you will cycle day to day and on what surface you’ll be predominantly riding on.
Before you commit to buying a bike you may want to consider hiring a bike and seeing how it feels to cycle on the streets of Inverness.
e-Bike share
Inverness Hi-Bike offer electric bikes in various locations around Inverness. Perfect for making quick trips and if you don’t want to have a bike of your own 24/7. You can find out more about the scheme here.
Bike hire
Just here for a short time or want to test out different bikes before buying one of your own? There are several places in Inverness which offer bike hire for all types of bikes:
What type of bike should I get?
Hybrid
These bikes are a cross between mountain bikes and road bikes. Also referred to as city bikes, these are ideal for riding around town. Tyres have decent tread for gravel and grass paths, but aren’t designed for serious off road cycling.
Mountain
Mountain bikes come with suspension which offer a greater degree of comfort. They have thicker tyres and are designed to be ridden on rough off road trails.
Cargo
Cargo bikes are a growing trend for carrying shopping, tools and even people! They come in a range of designs to cater for any need.
Road
Road bikes have drop handlebars and skinny tyres as they are designed to be ridden on smooth, tarmac surfaces. They are more sporty and less comfortable than other bikes.
E-Bike
Electric bikes are a great way to increase your speed and distance whilst still pedalling. There are lots of types of e-bikes so be sure to do your research to get one that suits you.
Financial Assistance
E-bike Funding
Bikes can be expensive! There is funding available to encourage people to invest in new bikes, such as the interest-free loan from Home Energy Scotland towards an e-bike, cargo bike or adaptive bike.
This loan can be used to purchase up to 2 e-bikes, or 1 e-cargo bike, for your household and is payable over 4 years.
Cycle to work scheme
Cyclescheme is an employee benefit that saves you 25-39% on a bike and accessories. You pay nothing upfront and the payments are taken tax efficiently from your salary by your employer. Find out more
New Start Highland
New Start Highland on Carsegate Road stock refurbished bikes at a discounted price. If you’re looking for some cheap wheels from a local supplier then they are well worth visiting.
2nd hand websites
It can be tempting to purchase a bike from sites like Ebay, Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace. Whilst there are good deals to be had, you need to ensure what you are buying isn’t damaged or stolen. Make sure to see the bike in person before handing over any money. If you’re not sure what to look for, bring someone who knows more about bikes.
