Wellington Electric Bike Rental: Waterfront Ride to Lookouts
Ride at your own pace, with the hills taken out of it
Rent a quality electric bike in Wellington and explore the city, bays and panoramic lookouts on your own route and timing. You pick a half-day or full-day rental, get a helmet, lock, cycle map with marked stops, and a safety briefing before you ride. The pedal-assist motor handles the climbs and headwinds so any fitness level can reach Mount Victoria, Zealandia or the Cable Car. Food and drinks are on you.
Options for this experience
2 optionsWhat’s included
- Your rental includes the electric bike, helmet and lock.
- a Wellington city cycle map with the best routes, photo spots and places to stop marked by staff.
- luggage storage during your ride.
- hi-vis gear if you want it.
- and a full safety briefing and practice time before you head out. Local taxes are covered.
Times
- Every day 09:00 09:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30 12:00 12:30 13:00 13:30 14:00 14:30 15:00 15:30 16:00 16:30 17:00
Before you book
Operated by Switched on Bikes
Prices and times updated today
Traveler reviews
The experience
Pick up your eBike at the Waterfront store (Unit 15/22 Herd Street, Te Aro) anytime from 9am and start riding within minutes of a safety briefing. The staff mark your cycle map with the best routes, photo spots, coffee stops and beaches, then you head out on your own. Half-day rentals run up to four hours. Full-day takes you through to closing time or up to 24 hours if you have a secure place to lock the bike overnight. The electric assist works like a regular bike except the motor takes the strain out of hills and headwinds. If you can ride a bike, you can ride an eBike.
Most riders start on the easy shared paths along the Waterfront near the city center, then use the cycle ways toward Miramar peninsula. From there, the routes split: stick to the quieter bays and lookouts, or push the bike to full power and climb to Mount Victoria for panoramic views across the harbour. Zealandia Sanctuary, the Wellington Cable Car and Weta Workshop are all reachable by bike, each marked on your map. The electric assist means you can cover a lot of ground in a short time without the usual fatigue from Wellington's hills.
For a bigger adventure, take an early train or ferry after pickup. The East by West Ferry to Days Bay connects to a dirt road toward Pencarrow Lighthouse, where you can climb up and look back across the harbour: seals and wildlife often appear. The Rimutaka Rail Trail is a world-class off-road option: take the train to Maymorn, ride to Featherston through native forest and old railway history, then catch the return train. Let the shop know at booking if you want to explore either of these, and they'll set you up with the right bike and schedule.
Is this one for you?Choose the half-day rental if you want to explore the Waterfront, bays and one or two landmarks like the Cable Car or Mount Victoria without committing a full day. Pick the full-day option if you're planning to reach Zealandia, Weta Workshop and the panoramic lookouts, or if you want to take a train or ferry to Days Bay or the Rimutaka Rail Trail. The electric assist means you can cover all of it without the usual fatigue from Wellington's hills.
Top questions
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
How do electric bikes work and do I need to be fit to ride one?
The eBikes are pedal-assist, meaning you pedal like a regular bike but the electric motor takes the strain out of hills and headwinds. Any fitness level can ride them. The motor does the heavy lifting, which is why the hills in Wellington get flattened. You do need to be able to ride a regular bike and have at least moderate fitness.
What's included in the rental and what do I need to bring?
The rental includes the eBike, helmet, lock, a Wellington city cycle map with marked stops and photo spots, luggage storage during your ride, and hi-vis gear if you want it. You'll get a full safety briefing and time to practice in a car-free space before heading out. Bring a valid credit card as a bond and wear comfortable clothes for riding.
Can I ride to Zealandia and the Wellington Cable Car on the same day?
Yes. Both are marked on your cycle map and reachable by eBike from the Waterfront store. The Cable Car is only 5 minutes away by bike, and Zealandia is accessible via the cycle ways. A full-day rental gives you time to visit both plus other stops like Mount Victoria or the Waterfront bays, depending on how long you spend at each place.
What if I want to ride further out, like to Days Bay or the Rimutaka Rail Trail?
You can take a train or ferry after picking up your bike. The East by West Ferry goes to Days Bay, where you can ride a dirt road to Pencarrow Lighthouse. The Rimutaka Rail Trail is accessed by train to Maymorn, then you ride to Featherston through forest and old railway lines. Let the shop know at booking if you're interested in either option and they'll schedule your bike and rental time to fit.
How long can I keep the bike and when do I need to return it?
Half-day rentals run up to four hours. Full-day rentals go through to closing time or up to 24 hours if you have a secure place to lock the bike overnight (at your own risk). Return bikes by 5:30pm if riding for one day. The shop is at Unit 15/22 Herd Street, Te Aro, a 5-minute walk from Te Papa Museum and the I-Site Information Center.
Are there any weight or height limits for the bikes?
The bike manufacturer has a weight limit of 330 lbs (150 kilograms). If you're under 5 foot tall, let the shop know when you book so they can set up the right bike for you. Children aged 13–17 must be accompanied by an adult. Younger children can ride in a pram or stroller, and specialized infant seats are available.
Wellington Electric Bike Rental: Waterfront Ride to Lookouts
2h–1d
from NZ$ 85 per person
≈ US$ 49 in your currency
Next, you choose your date and number of travelers and see the final price.