Bike Venture Rentals (open by appointment)

cycling — Ferrymead · Christchurch

About Bike Venture Rentals (open by appointment)

Bike Venture Rentals is a Christchurch-based bicycle hire and touring business operating out of Ferrymead on the eastern edge of the city. The business offers a broad range of cycling options for visitors and locals alike — from casual day rides through the city's parks and river paths, to mountain biking on the Port Hills, guided gondola-and-bike packages, and fully equipped long-distance touring and bikepacking adventures across New Zealand.

The fleet includes electric bikes, city and hybrid bikes from Avanti, and a strong lineup of Specialized mountain bikes — the Pitch, Rockhopper Sport, and Rockhopper Elite/Comp in 29" — alongside dedicated touring and gravel bikes from Specialized (the Sirrus) and Marin (Four Corners 25 and 24). Touring and bikepacking bags are available to hire alongside the bikes. Every standard hire includes a helmet, puncture repair kit, spare tube, and multitool.

Bike pick-up is available between 9am and 11am, with drop-off between 3pm and 5pm. A standard one-day hire covers 8 hours (9am to 5pm). 24-hour hire, alternative pick-up and drop-off times, and delivery or collection from locations across the city are all available on request. Bike relocation throughout New Zealand can also be arranged. Online bookings close 24 hours in advance — for next-day availability, contact directly by phone or email.

Additional hire equipment includes child seats ($15/day short term, $60/month long term), vehicle tow bar bike racks for up to four bikes ($5/day, $60/month), suction cup roof-mounted racks for two bikes ($30/day, $80/month), an e-bike rack for two e-bikes ($60/day), and trailer hire on a quote basis. Bike rack hire is available exclusively to bike rental customers. Family rates and half-day bookings are available by contacting the business.

Bike Venture Rentals Christchurch: Hire a Bike and Explore the City, Port Hills, and Beyond

Bike Venture Rentals is a Christchurch-based bicycle hire business with a scope that goes well beyond the standard day-rental model. From their base at 18 Settlers Crescent in Ferrymead, the team offers bike hire for city rides, mountain biking on the Port Hills, an all-in gondola-and-bike package, and full touring and bikepacking setups for riders heading out on New Zealand's long-distance cycle trails. Whether you're visiting for a day or spending weeks exploring the South Island by bicycle, the fleet and equipment are designed to cover it.

The business is deliberately flexible. Bikes are delivered throughout the city, so the Ferrymead storage base isn't always staffed — calling ahead to arrange a pick-up time or requesting delivery is the standard approach. Pick-up windows run from 9am to 11am and drop-off from 3pm to 5pm, with other arrangements available on request. Every hire includes a helmet, puncture repair kit, spare tube, and multitool as standard.

The Rides

For casual riders and visitors to Christchurch, the city itself offers excellent flat cycling. The Avon River, Hagley Park, and Central Christchurch are all well-suited to a relaxed day on a hybrid or city bike. Families looking for flat off-road riding have Bottle Lake Forest and McLeans Island as good options.

For mountain biking, the Port Hills are the standout destination — a range of tracks accessible from the city's southern edge, with options ranging from beginner-friendly routes to more technical terrain. The Gondola and Bike Hire Package is one of the more distinctive offerings: take the gondola up to the Port Hills summit, enjoy the views of Christchurch from the top, and then choose either an on-road or off-road route to ride down. The gondola operates from 10am to 4pm, and the package costs $100 for adults and $70 for children aged 10 to 16 (competent riders required). To book the gondola package, contact the business directly by phone or email.

For longer adventures, touring and bikepacking bikes are available alongside the bags and equipment needed for multi-day rides. The fleet includes dedicated touring and gravel bikes — the Specialized Sirrus and Marin Four Corners in two frame sizes — designed to handle loaded cycling on New Zealand's cycle trails. Bike relocation throughout New Zealand can also be arranged for riders planning point-to-point routes.

The Fleet and Accessories

The bike lineup covers a solid range of use cases. Electric bike riders can hire the Black ATB-L 48v. Mountain bikers have three Specialized options — the entry-level Pitch, the Rockhopper Sport, and the Rockhopper Elite/Comp, all in 29-inch wheel format. The Avanti Discovery MS 2 Low suits city and leisure riding.

Accessory hire is available for bike rental customers: child seats ($15/day), tow bar bike racks for up to four bikes ($5/day), a suction cup fork-mount roof rack for two bikes ($30/day), and an e-bike-specific tow ball rack holding two bikes up to 60kg ($60/day). Trailer hire is available by quote. Family rates and half-day bookings are available on request. Online bookings close 24 hours in advance — for next-day availability, call or email directly.

Signature items

  • Gondola & Bike Hire Package
  • Electric Bike (Black ATB-L 48v)
  • Specialized Rockhopper 29"
  • Marin Four Corners Touring Bike
  • Local Day Hire
  • Touring & Bikepacking Setup

Menu

Packages

  • Gondola & Bike Hire Package — Adult — Gondola ride up Port Hills + bike descent; gondola open 10am–4pm
  • Gondola & Bike Hire Package — Child — Ages 10–16, competent riders only; gondola + bike descent

Accessories

  • Child Seat (Short Term)
  • Child Seat (Long Term)
  • Vehicle Bike Rack — Tow Bar (Short Term) — Fits 1–4 bikes
  • Vehicle Bike Rack — Tow Bar (Long Term) — Fits 1–4 bikes
  • Suction Cup Roof Rack (Short Term) — Fork-mount, fits 2 bikes
  • Suction Cup Roof Rack (Long Term) — Fork-mount, fits 2 bikes
  • E Bike Rack (Short Term) — Tow ball mount, holds 2 e-bikes up to 60kg, tilts and folds
  • Trailer Hire — Email or call for quote

Bikes For Hire

  • Electric Bike: Black ATB-L 48v — E-bike hire
  • Avanti Discovery MS 2 Low — City/hybrid bike
  • Specialized Pitch — Entry mountain bike
  • Specialized Rockhopper Sport 29" — Trail mountain bike
  • Specialized Rockhopper Elite/Comp 29" — Performance mountain bike
  • Specialized Sirrus (Touring/Gravel) — Road/gravel touring bike
  • Marin Four Corners 25 (Touring/Gravel) — Loaded touring and gravel bike
  • Marin Four Corners 24 (Touring/Gravel) — Loaded touring and gravel bike
  • Touring & Bikepacking Bags — Bags for long-distance riding — available alongside touring bikes

Frequently asked questions

Where is Bike Venture Rentals based?
The storage base is at 18 Settlers Crescent, Ferrymead, Christchurch. As bikes are often being delivered, call ahead before turning up — phone +64 27 222 9893.
What is included in a standard bike hire?
Every hire includes a helmet, puncture repair kit, spare tube, and multitool.
What are the pick-up and drop-off times?
Pick-up is available between 9am and 11am; drop-off between 3pm and 5pm. Other times can be arranged on request. A one-day hire covers 8 hours (9am–5pm). 24-hour hire is available on request.
Can I book online for tomorrow?
Online bookings close 24 hours in advance. For next-day availability, call or email directly.
How much does the Gondola and Bike Hire Package cost?
$100 for adults, $70 for children aged 10–16 (competent riders required). The gondola operates from 10am to 4pm. Book by phone or email.
Is delivery available?
Yes — delivery and pick-up can be arranged on request. Bike relocation throughout New Zealand is also available.
Are there family rates or half-day options?
Yes — contact Bike Venture Rentals directly by phone or email for family rates and half-day booking enquiries.

Tips

  • {"body":"The business is mobile — bikes are often being delivered around the city. Ring +64 27 222 9893 to arrange a pick-up time before making the trip to the Ferrymead base.","title":"Call ahead before heading to Ferrymead"}
  • {"body":"The gondola and bike package can't be booked online — contact the team directly. The gondola runs 10am–4pm, so plan your day accordingly.","title":"Book the Gondola package by phone or email"}
  • {"body":"If you want a bike for tomorrow, don't rely on the website — call or email for live availability.","title":"Online bookings cut off 24 hours out"}
  • {"body":"Vehicle bike racks are available to hire from $5/day (tow bar) for bike rental customers — useful if you want to drive to the Port Hills or Bottle Lake Forest trailheads.","title":"Hire a bike rack if you're driving to a trail"}

Good to know

  • {"family":"Family rates available on request; child seats for hire ($15/day); Bottle Lake Forest and McLeans Island suit flat family rides"}