How to Start an E-Bike Hire Business in the UK: Full Guide for 2025

E-bikes are growing in popularity, not just among commuters but also with tourists and leisure riders exploring scenic routes. If you’re considering starting an e-bike hire business in the UK, now is the perfect time to take advantage of this booming trend. This guide will walk you through the essential steps to establish your business, from planning to promoting.

I’ve been involved in the e-bike industry for eight years and have witnessed a remarkable transformation in their popularity. Back in 2016, when I first started using an e-bike, I felt like a loner—it was rare to see anyone else riding one. Fast forward to 2024, and it’s a completely different story. E-bikes are everywhere, with commuters and leisure riders embracing them in huge numbers.

The e-bike hire industry has also taken off, with major players like Beryl and Lime making electric bikes accessible in cities across the UK. However, 2025 is shaping up to be a fantastic year to start your own e-bike hire business, especially if you live in an area where these larger companies don’t operate. While it can be tough to compete with big companies on a national scale, smaller, local businesses have the advantage of offering a more bespoke service and filling gaps in underserved areas. If you’re considering starting an e-bike hire business, now is the perfect time to seize the opportunity.

Research and Planning

Starting an e-bike hire business requires thorough research and careful planning to ensure your service meets the needs of your target market. Here’s how to lay the groundwork effectively:

Understand Your Market

Identify the primary group of customers you want to serve. Will you focus on:

• Tourists: This is ideal in scenic or historic locations with popular cycle routes, such as the Camel Trail or the Tarka Trail.
• Commuters: Best in urban centres with developed cycling infrastructure where people want affordable transport options that beat congested traffic.
• Leisure Riders and Families: Target parks, countryside trails, or holiday destinations where people hire bikes for casual outings.
• Side Hustlers: Cater to delivery riders working with companies like Deliveroo, Stuart or Uber Eats who need reliable transport.

Conduct market research to assess demand in your chosen area. Tools like Google Trends, surveys, or local council data on cycling usage can help.

Hire or Rental?

It’s also important to understand the difference between hire and rental, as these terms will often appeal to different customers.

• Hire typically refers to short-term use, often on an hourly or daily basis. This is popular with tourists, leisure riders, or families who need e-bikes for a limited time.
• Rental, on the other hand, often implies longer-term use, such as weekly or monthly agreements. This option suits commuters, delivery riders, or locals looking for ongoing access to a reliable e-bike without committing to ownership.

By understanding your target market and whether hire or rental services best suit their needs, you can design a business model that aligns with their expectations and fills a gap in the local market.

Understand Your Competition

Research existing bike hire businesses in your area, including major players like Beryl Bikes, Lime, or local independent operators. These companies may already dominate urban areas and tourist hotspots, making it essential to find a niche or offer something unique.

1. Analyse Their Services: What do they provide? Hourly or daily rentals, subscription models, or pay-as-you-go options?
2. Study Customer Reviews: Look for common praises and complaints in online reviews. Are customers impressed by affordability, convenience, or bike quality? Are they frustrated by hidden fees, unreliable bikes, or poor customer service?
3. Evaluate Their Presence: Check their pricing, locations, website, and app usability to identify gaps you could fill.

Competing directly with large-scale operators like Beryl Bikes would require significant investment in app development, docking stations, and marketing. If you’re starting small, focus on personalised service, unique experiences, or targeting underserved areas.

Choose a Business Model

Your business model should align with your target customer base and market conditions:

• Hourly Rentals: Great for tourists or casual riders exploring a local area.
• Daily or Multi-Day Rentals: Ideal for longer leisure rides, guided tours, or holidaymakers.
• Long-Term Hire or Subscriptions: Appeals to commuters or delivery riders looking for a cost-effective, ongoing solution.

Consider offering guided tours in tourist areas, providing local insights and access to hidden gems. Alternatively, create a self-service model where customers can hire bikes for independent exploration. Each model has its own operational needs, so choose one that matches your resources and goals.

Assess Your Area

Before launching, it’s important to research your location. Choose an area with a strong demand for e-bike hire. For example, popular cycling routes such as Cornwall’s Camel Trail, Devon’s Tarka Trail, or Scotland’s Loch Lomond Cycle Path are excellent for attracting leisure riders and tourists. In urban areas, consider setting up near major attractions, public transport hubs, or densely populated neighbourhoods where commuters and tourists are likely to benefit from easy access to your service.

• Cycle Routes and Infrastructure: Is there a demand for bike hire in your area? Popular routes like the Monsal Trail in the Peak District or the Forest of Dean Family Cycle Trail attract leisure riders, while urban centres attract commuters.
• Gaps in Service: Are there underserved areas where existing operators don’t reach?
• Seasonality: Will your business thrive year-round, or will it be seasonal? Tourist-heavy areas may see significant off-peak dips.

Understanding your market, competition, and local conditions will allow you to refine your offering, ensuring your e-bike hire business stands out and meets customer needs.

Get the Necessary Licences and Insurance

• Register Your Business: Register your business with HMRC as a sole trader, partnership, or limited company.
• Public Liability Insurance: This protects you if a customer is injured while using your e-bike.
• Business Insurance: Covers damages or theft of your e-bikes.
• Local Council Permissions: Check with your local council about operating licences, particularly if you’re setting up in a tourist area or public park.

Source Your E-Bikes and Accessories

Sourcing the right e-bikes is important when setting up your hire business. The bikes you choose will impact your initial investment, maintenance costs, and the overall customer experience.

Standing Out from the Big Players

While companies like Beryl and Lime dominate the e-bike hire market in many cities, they typically offer just one type of bike—a standard utility e-bike designed for short urban trips. This creates a significant opportunity for smaller businesses to carve out a niche by catering to specific needs and offering a more diverse range of bikes.

For instance, focusing on e-road bikes or lightweight models can appeal to fitness enthusiasts and recreational riders who want the speed and efficiency of a traditional road bike with the added benefit of electric assistance. Similarly, offering electric gravel bikes could attract adventurers keen to explore off-road trails and scenic routes that standard hire bikes aren’t equipped to handle.

Another niche with strong potential is e-cargo bikes, designed for families or businesses. These bikes are perfect for carrying children, groceries, or larger loads, making them ideal for parents on school runs or local entrepreneurs needing an eco-friendly way to transport goods. Alternatively, e-MTBs (electric mountain bikes) could be a hit in areas near popular mountain biking trails, offering tourists and locals the chance to tackle more challenging terrains with ease.

By specialising in these niches and providing a selection of high-quality, tailored bikes, your business can stand out from the big players. Pair this with excellent customer service, knowledgeable staff, and flexible rental options, and you’ll position your business as a unique and appealing alternative to companies like Beryl and Lime.

Choosing the Right E-Bikes

You don’t need to break the bank to build a reliable fleet. Budget-friendly e-bikes are available for as little as £500 per unit, making them a practical choice for small businesses. While these lower-cost models might not have the bells and whistles of high-end e-bikes, many are surprisingly durable and ideal for-hire fleets.

• Hub Motor E-Bikes:
  Hub motor e-bikes are generally much cheaper than mid-drive models, in terms of upfront cost and long-term maintenance. These motors are mounted in the wheel hub, which makes them simpler and more robust—perfect for the wear and tear of a rental business. Hub motors also require less frequent servicing, saving you money over time.
• Mid-Drive E-Bikes:
  Mid-drive motors are mounted at the crank offering better performance for steep hills and uneven terrain. However, they’re significantly more expensive and have higher maintenance costs, making them better suited to premium rental offerings or guided tours in challenging environments.

What to Look for in a Hire Fleet E-Bike

1. Durability: Look for bikes with sturdy frames, puncture-resistant tyres, and reliable drivetrains that can withstand daily use.
2. Legality: Your e-bike fleet must adhere to UK electric bike laws. This means the motor should cut off at 15.5 mph (25 km/h) and can only be activated when pedalling (no throttle). Motor power shouldn’t exceed 250 watts continuously.
3. Battery Life: Choose bikes with a range of at least 30-50 miles to ensure customers can complete their rides without running out of power.
4. Ease of Use: Step-through frames are popular as they cater to riders of all ages and abilities. Bikes with simple controls and clear displays are also a big plus.
5. Maintenance Needs: Avoid bikes with complicated gear systems or proprietary parts that are expensive to replace.

Accessories to Include

To improve the customer experience, make sure each e-bike is equipped with:

• Helmets: A must for safety.
• Locks: High-quality locks to prevent theft during rentals.
• Lights: Front and rear lights for visibility, particularly for commuters or evening riders.
• Racks or Baskets: Useful for carrying personal items or small loads.
• Puncture Repair Kits: Optional but appreciated by adventurous riders tackling longer routes.

Optional Extras

If your location caters to specific customer needs, consider offering:

• Child Seats: For family-friendly rides.
• Trailer Attachments: For hauling cargo or small children.
• Premium Bikes: A small fleet of mid-drive or high-end models for customers willing to pay more.

Investing in affordable yet reliable e-bikes will allow you to start small and grow your business gradually while maintaining a balance between quality and cost-efficiency. Over time, you can expand your fleet to include premium options or diversify based on customer demand.

Create a Maintenance Plan

E-bikes require regular maintenance to ensure safety and reliability. Develop a schedule for:

• Battery checks
• Brake check and adjustment
• Checking wheel and steering bearings
• Tyre inspections

Partner with a local bike mechanic or train staff to handle basic repairs.

Set Up a Booking System

Make it easy for customers to book and pay. Options include:

• Online Booking Platforms: Use software like Simplybook.me or Calendly to manage reservations.
• Mobile Apps: Offer an app where users can locate and reserve bikes, particularly useful for urban hire schemes.
• Walk-In Bookings: For tourist-heavy areas, a walk-in system might also be effective.

Digital Marketing for Your E-Bike Hire Business

Build an Online Presence

1. Website: Create a user-friendly website design that includes information about your bikes, rental prices, and booking options. Use high-quality images and customer testimonials to build trust.
2. Social Media: Platforms like Instagram and Facebook are essential for reaching your audience. Share photos of your bikes, scenic routes, and customer experiences. Join relevant Facebook groups to promote your business. If your budget allows, hire a social media management company.
3. Google My Business: Set up a Google Business profile to improve visibility in local searches and attract nearby customers.

Content Marketing

1. Blog Posts: Write about the best cycling routes in your area, including guides to popular trails and highlight the benefits of exploring your local area by e-bike. A well-written blog article shows your potential customer that you have a genuine passion and interest in what you are doing and it can help with your website SEO (search engine optimisation)
2. Videos: Create YouTube videos showcasing your e-bikes in action or offering maintenance tips.

Paid Advertising

1. Google Ads: Target keywords like “e-bike hire near me” or “cycle hire in [location].”
2. Social Media Ads: Run targeted ads to reach tourists or adventure enthusiasts planning their trips.

Partnerships and Local Marketing

1. Tourist Attractions: Collaborate with nearby landmarks or hotels to offer package deals.
2. Cycle Routes: Partner with cafes or bike-friendly stops along popular routes for cross-promotion.
3. Local Events: Sponsor or participate in local cycling events to raise awareness.

Launch and Grow Your Business

• Host an opening event to generate interest. Offer discounts for early bookings or free test rides.
• Collect customer feedback to improve your service. Customer reviews are a great way to engender trust with potential customers.
• Expand your fleet or locations based on demand, adding more e-bikes or opening additional rental points in popular areas.

Conclusion

Starting an e-bike hire business in the UK in 2025 presents an exciting opportunity to tap into a rapidly growing market. As e-bikes continue to gain popularity, the demand for affordable e-bike hire is set to rise. By providing excellent customer service, and targeting the right locations, you can build a business that thrives in this competitive industry. With careful planning and a passion for e-bikes, you can turn your idea into a sustainable business. Good luck on your journey!