• Bicycle Hire on Isle of Barra

Bike Hire on the Isle of Barra

Hire bikes, The Hebridean Way & advice for families & individuals to explore our island paradise

      2023

IMPORTANT UPDATE - We have a new mobike number for enquiries of anything bike hire or bike repairs. We have finally given up with the Vodafone number. It was 07876 402842. This number is still valid when on the mainland or further north up the island however it is completely useless on Barra.

Therefore the new number for use on Barra is - 07985 637957. You can phone, text, WhatsApp or Messenger on this number.   

2023 August..... What a super busy season it has been. For bike hire on Barra & Vatersay and for Hebridean Way hires we have been rushed off our feet. Once again it has been busier that any previous year!!! And so many wonderful memories of some amazing people from all over the world. Its been a mixed year weather-wise but I'm pleased to say we have had far more 'good' weather than bad weather .......whatever there have been lots and lots of visitors wanting bikes. 

Every year for the past 6 years the enquires for the following year start to come in earlier and earlier. We are now approaching mid August 2023 and we are already getting enquiries about bike hire for the 2024 season. In particular Hebridean Way Hires. 

We are expecting to be all quiet with bike hires through the autums - winter period but early indications from current online bookings are that 2024 is going to be another very busy year.

If you have any plans to visit Barra in 2024 or perhaps take on the Hebridean Way then now is the time to start formulating your plans. If you have any queries or questions about bike hire for Barra & Vatersay or for the Hebridean Way then please feel free to contact us.

HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON. Tony [Barra Bike Hire].

For further updates or questions feel free to e-mail Tony on info@barrabikehire.co.uk or flanagan63@btinternet.com or call me for a chat on 07876 402842. If you don't manage to get through please leave a message and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

We often have problems with mobile phone connections in the winter months - possibly due to high winds and adverse weather conditions resulting in mast problems and interrupted mobile phone signals. The best and most reliable means of getting through is a by means of a WhatsApp message on 07876 402842. [Tony Flanagan]

Welcome to Barra Bike Hire

Barra Bike Hire is based on the beautiful Isle of Barra in the Outer Hebrides - the 'Islands on the Edge'. It is a truly amazing place and we count ourselves very fortunate to live in such a beautiful place. Each and every day one feels to be close to, part of and surrounded on all sides by the landscape... a landscape of hills and moorland, sea and surf and some of the most fantastic beaches in the world. The coastal ring road around Barra is a relatively quiet single carriageway - with passing places - and is generally ideal for cycling. There are also a number of spur roads that give you access to many more wonderfully secluded spots to discover and explore. A quality hire bike from Barra Bike Hire is, in our opinion, easily the best way to explore our island ‘Barradise’. We pride ourselves on providing first class service from point of contact right through to getting you on the road on your bike. Don't just take our word for how good our service is .... see what past clients have said on Trip Advisor.  Read more about the Isle of Barra »

Bikes for Hire

1. Local bikes [..for use on Barra & Eriskay/South Uist]. We have a varied fleet of well maintained bikes for hire locally. We cater for individuals, families, and groups. Bikes can be hired for half days (up to 4hrs) or a full day (normally available from 9.00am til 6.30pm - earlier &/or later by arrangement). Multi-day rentals are also available and the more days you hire a bike the cheaper it gets. We also offer a bike delivery and collection service when possible anywhere on the island ....but only for full day and multi-day hires (Due to the high prices of fuel & transport and staffing costs we do have to make a nominal charge for delivery). 

Hire rates for adult bikes (2023 season) - these fees apply to bike hires for day and multi day use on Barra & Vatersay & for day excursions on Eriskay & South Uist. 

Standard bikes: (Hybrid or MTB) £20.00/day 1 - £14.00/day 2 & then £12.00/day for each day thereafter. Half day hires are £14.00/bike

E-bikes: £38.00/day 1 - £28.00/day 2 & then £24.00/day for each day thereafter. Note: we only offer full day hires for e-bikes during May, June, July & August. 

2. Hebridean Way Touring / Hybrid bike [Barra - Stornoway]. These are a fleet of higher 'spec' bikes prepared with the Hebridean Way in mind. They come with pannier racks (rear racks only available), mudguards, hydraulic disc brakes, multi-tool, puncture repair items, spare tubes, pump, lights & a lock. Once you have completed the ride you can leave the bikes at our drop off point in Stornoway and we will take care of recovering them back to Barra. Pannier bags and helmets are also available for hire as extras. [Hire rates for adult bikes - Standard touring bikes £34.00/day for the first 3 days; £24.00/day for days 4, 5 & 6 and then £16.00/bike for each day thereafter. E-touring bikes £40.00/day for the first 3 days; £32.00/day on day 4, 5 & 6 and then £24.00/bike for each day thereafter. 

3. Electric Pedal Assisted bikes for use locally on Barra or on the Hebridean Way. These are high spec e-bikes that are available all year round and will definitely get you round everything on Barra and beyond without having to get off and push up any of the hills!!!!. If you have never tried an e-bike you will be amazed at just how easy they are to use and at how effective they are!! The e-bike mantra is .... "further, faster and for longer". [Hire rates, once again, for adult bikes for use on Barra & Vatersay - £38.00/day for day 1 & then £28.00/day for day 2 and then £24.00/day each day thereafter for "local use". Note: Slightly different rates apply for Hebridean Way use. Please ask for details.]

Note: Due to legal requirements we are unable to hire e-bikes to anyone under 14 years of age. 

THE HEBRIDEAN WAY.

As well as hire bikes for use on Barra and the local surrounding islands we also have expedition prepared bikes for use on the Hebridean Way. Being based at the southern end of the 185-mile (292km) cycle route known as the Hebridean Way we are well placed to offer specialist bike hire, support and guidance to cyclists visiting the Outer Hebrides. We will set you up with your hire bikes on Barra and arrange for you to drop them off in Stornoway. You choose how many days you want the bike for. There is a 'one-way' surchage for the service which covers the cost of sending the bikes all the way back to Barra. Do please call or email if we can help in any way with bike hire, accessories hire (helmets; pannier bags) or just assisting with the logistics. For more Hebridean Way logistics information see our Blog Page. 

Why hire a bike for the Hebridean Way from Barra Bike Hire? 

1. We are based on Barra at the start of the ride which means we can meet & greet you in person and ensure you are fully set up to get the best out of your hire bike before you set off.

2. We have top quality new and nearly new bikes that are fully prepared for long distance challenge rides..... and our personal service is second to none - See us on Trip Advisor.

3. We provide a back up and emergency support and back-up all the way up the islands.

4. We are the most competetively priced hire provider!! - The cheapest hire fees on the market when you compare the full service provision like for like = best value for money. E-mail us for a quote today.

Bike Repairs, Servicing

Barra Bike HIre also offer a bike repair & maintenance service. We keep a limited stock of spare parts to keep bikes on the road. If needed we can order in parts however it can take a day or two to arrive by post depending on what is needed. We are able to undertake emergency call outs to anywhere on the island for our own hire fleet and also visiting cyclists and their bikes. Contact us on 07876 402842. WhatsApp messeging is usually the most reliable way of getting through.  More repairs & servicing »

Family Run

We are a small, friendly, family run business. We originally set up in 2013 / 2014 when we invested in half a dozen rental bikes to provide for guests staying in our self-catering apartment and the self-catering holiday let 'across the road'. At that time bike hire on Barra was difficult to source and at times simply not available. Since then, due to growing demand, we invested in more bicycles and  now have a varied and diverse rental fleet to cater for most needs. We have conventional bikes - hybrid, road and mountain bikes, children's bikes, specialist Hebridean Way expedition bikes and also E-bikes. Read more about us »

 

Our Cycle Hire Prices

Up to 4hrs (half day)Full Day (4hrs+ - 6.30pm) 1Multi-Day after day 1 (per day) 2
Adult Bikes£14.00£20.00£14.00
Child's Bike / Youth Bike£12.00£16.00£10.00
Kiddy adaptions£5.00£8.00£5.00
E-Bikes£28.00£38.00£28.00

1 Bikes to be returned by 6.30pm on day of hire or on the last day of hire for multi day hires..

2 An adult bike hired for 3 days or more the charge is £10.00/day for day 3 and each day thereafter. E-bikes on day 3 are charged out at £20.00/day and each day thereafter.

Call us on +44 (0) 7876 402842 or email .

Book Bicycles Now

Our clients say...

We cycled the Hebridean cycle route on Barra bikes. It's a great tour with fantastic landscapes and quiet. The bikes were just perfect! Very stable, and easy to handle. Tony was so helpful in advising with what is needed along the way, and helped planning the logistics with our luggage. The Stornoway counterpart from Bespoke cycles collected the bikes, so we just could cycle from south to the north, with the wind in the back. We do recommend Barra Bike Hire highly! Thank you very much! 5/5

Liz Timmermans

Tony very kindly helped me out. The wheel hub had stopped working having just been replaced. I thought my cycling trip of the Hebridean Way was cancelled. Fortunately Tony very kindly took it apart and cleaned it … resulting in a bike that worked the whole trip. Thanks Tony for your kind and calming help … felt very reassured you’d do your utmost for us and you succeeded, Great service and kindness … couldn’t have asked for more Many thanks Kim 5/5

Kim Shaw

Barra bikes are excellent. The bikes themselves are in really good condition and are perfect for the job. Tony is friendly, helpful and very knowledgeable. I can't recommend them highly enough. Thank you! See you next year. 5/5

Saraj Pal

Thanks to Tony and Barra bike hire for the bikes and support on our challenge to cycle the Hebridean Way. In May 2019, 4 of us lads decided to cycle the route and flying in to Barra, with bikes already there, was by far the easiest and cheapest way to do it. Tony made it incredibly easy to hire 4 good bikes with panniers and kit, and helped us arrange a pick up from the Butt of Ness back to our last nights accommodation in Stornoway, with the bikes being returned to Barra by his Stornoway counterpart Alister. Top class support from start to finish. Thank you Tony and Alister. 5/5

Simmy

Tony, Kay and Steve are absolute heroes. My bike broke down just at the start of my cycling holiday. Firstly, Kay found me on the side of the road in my disastrous state and let me know about barra bike hire (which happened to be two doors down). Then Tony and Steve looked at the bike, were extremely helpful and knowledgeable and in a nutshell saved my cycling holiday from disaster. Steve lent me his own bike for the duration of my holiday while Tony drove my bike up to Bespoke Bikes in Stornoway to get it fixed there, ready for me to collect on my penultimate day on the Outer Hebrides. It's not an exaggeration to say that without Tony, Steve and Kay my holiday would have been ended before it even began. Thank you so much guys. 5/5

Will Sorf

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