Why become a member?
The Bike Library is a simple, low-cost way to keep your kids riding as they grow. Instead of buying new bikes every couple of years, you borrow, ride and swap.
By removing the pressure to constantly buy and sell bikes, the library gives families a practical alternative that saves money, reduces clutter at home and keeps bikes circulating in the community instead of going to landfill.
As a member, your family gets ongoing access to quality, age-appropriate bikes and helmets, plus support to build your child’s skills and confidence at their own pace.
The benefits for your family
- Affordable access to bikes as your child grows, without the upfront cost of buying new each time.
- A chance to try different bike styles, wheel sizes and brake types before committing.
- Less storage stress at home – you return bikes when you’re done instead of finding somewhere to keep them.
- Support from people who love bikes and can help with fit, comfort and confidence.
- Opportunities to join group rides, play sessions and workshops with other local families.
The benefits for the community and environment
- Fewer bikes going to waste – we prioritise reuse, repair and refurbishment wherever possible.
- More kids riding more often, supporting active transport and healthier lifestyles.
- A welcoming space where families from different backgrounds can connect and learn together.
- A local example of the circular economy in action – sharing resources instead of buying new.
What your membership includes
A 12-month membership gives your household flexible access to our fleet of children’s bikes and selected accessories. Each child on your membership can borrow one age-appropriate bike at a time (subject to availability), generally for a standard hire period of up to 3 months. If your child outgrows their bike sooner, or is ready to move to a different style (for example, trying hand brakes instead of a coaster brake), you can return and swap, as long as a suitable bike is available. Every bike is safety-checked before it leaves the library and again at scheduled inspections so we know it stays safe to ride.
Your membership may also include:
- Access to helmets and basic accessories, depending on stock.
- Invitations to family rides, playgroups and confidence-building sessions.
- Simple maintenance workshops where kids and grown-ups can learn to look after their bikes.
Step-by-step: how it works
1. Join as a member
Sign up as the parent or guardian, read through the membership and safety information, and complete the agreement.
3. Borrow and ride
Take the bike home and use it for everyday adventures for up to 3 months, following the safety and care guidelines.
5. Return and repeat
When your membership term ends, you can return your bikes and choose whether to renew for another year of riding.
Your responsibilities as a member
To keep the library safe and fair for everyone, membership is held by a parent or legal guardian (18+) who accepts responsibility for all bikes borrowed under their account. As a member, you agree to supervise your child while they ride, make sure they wear an approved helmet, use bikes in a safe and sensible way, and store them securely when not in use. You also agree to bring bikes back for scheduled inspections, avoid unauthorised modifications and let us know quickly if there’s a mechanical issue, damage or a near-miss incident.
In some situations, members may be asked to contribute to the cost of loss, theft due to clear negligence, or damage that goes beyond normal wear and tear. We’ll always talk this through with you and aim to handle it fairly.
2. Get matched to a bike
We’ll talk about your child’s age, height, experience and confidence, and may do a short ability check or supervised test ride.
4. Check, renew or swap
Come back for your scheduled inspection. If the bike still fits and your child is happy, you can keep riding. If they’ve grown or are ready for something different, we’ll help you choose the next bike.