Seattle, the principal city of Washington, is among the top-most bike-friendly cities in the United States. Cyclists get to use the sidewalks of the city at a reasonable speed. Therefore, for tourists and backpackers in, bike rentals in Seattle are a great way of going around the city. Moreover, it is an eco-friendly mode of transportation as well.
This article talks about all the top Seattle bike rental options and all other necessary details for a biking trip around the Emerald City.
Things You Need for Renting Bikes in Seattle
Here are some things you need to know before hiring from an average Seattle bike rental company.
1. A Valid ID ProofA US driver’s license is not enough for renting bikes in Seattle. A valid US Government-sanctioned ID proof with the photo and verification of name, address, and nationality are needed.2. Rate and DurationMost bike rentals in Seattle charge on an hourly basis. Some companies offer daily or weekly packages if you are going on a biking trip across the state. Before signing the rental papers, bikers need to make up their mind about the duration of the trip.3. Modes of PaymentThe bike rentals in Seattle mostly operate with payment modes available. American Express, MasterCard, and VISA debit and credit cards are widely accepted, along with cash. Nowadays, digital wallets are also quite popular and most up, and coming rentals have them.Some companies accept payments in instalments while others choose advance payment options. The latter is applicable mostly in long-duration rentals, such as more than a week or two.4. Reservation OptionsDifferent bike rentals in Seattle have different reservation policies. Their official website should state whether they take a booking in advance or on-the-spot reservation is available. Several Seattle bike rental companies offer online booking, and the bike can be retrieved by showing a reservation ID or scanning a QR code.5. Safety, Security, and InsuranceThe top bike rentals in Seattle should offer you Damage Waiver or Theft Protection insurance during the time of hiring. Upon purchase, the insurance protects the buyer from any personal or third-party damage expenses, as well as vehicle theft expenses.Other than that, before setting off with the bike, check the brakes, gears, lights, and tires of the vehicle properly yourself. The rental should ideally provide you with a cover for flat tires as well. Some companies over at-the-spot repairing if you are within the Seattle city limits. You may also hire a repair kit if you are an expert yourself.6) Drop Off and Pick UpMost bike rentals in Seattle do drop-offs and pick-ups at the hotel or Airbnb you are lodged at. If you plan to catch a flight back home or travel to another location, then book from such a rental that allows one-way trips. You will either need to drop off the bike at their branch in the said location or send it back to Seattle using Amtrak’s bike shipping service. Clarify all your questions with the rental before taking off.
Seattle Bike Rental Rules to Follow
- Even though many people bike in Seattle without helmets, we suggest you always keep it on for safety purposes.
- If you are riding on the sidewalk, maintain a reasonable speed. Bikers are bound by Seattle law to ride in a “careful and prudent manner” on sidewalks as per traffic laws and keep in mind the pedestrians' rights.
- There are bike lanes for bikers on most roads. However, if there are no bike lanes, try to be on the right side of the road and ride. Here, you have to keep a minimum of 3 to 4 feet distance between cars and other vehicles.
- Keep two of your hands on the bike handles while riding. Do not eat or drink, leaving one hand off the handle while being on the bike. If you wish to have water, stop somewhere near to have it and then precede the ride. Do not have alcoholic drinks while riding.
- You can expect the bike lane to be busy during peak office hours as many people ride to Seattle workplaces.
- All the traffic light changes apply to bikes as well.
- Using hand-signalling for turns and stops is extremely important in Seattle for the safety of co-riders.
5 Top Bike Rentals in Seattle
1. Pedal Anywhere
Pedal Anywhere is an amazing option for choosing both electric and traditional bikes in Seattle. Whether you want a quick ride along with the town or looking for an offsite trip, Pedal Anywhere is the solution for all. 24 hours is the minimum rental duration, but you can book for more than a month. They offer hotel/Airbnb pick up and drop-offs and the option to send the bikes back from another location via Amtrak.Eligible one-way destinations:
- Portland
- San Francisco (Oakland)
- Sacramento
- Los Angeles
- San Diego
- Spokane
- San Jose
- Bellingham
- Eugene
- Santa Barbara
- Denver
- Salt Lake City
Address: 611 Eastlake Avenue East, Seattle, WA 98101
Phone: (206) 823-7314
Email: [email protected]
Hours: Thursday – Monday: 9AM – 6PM, Tuesday - Wednesday: Closed
2. Wheel Fun Rentals
If you are an amateur biker, Wheel Fun Rentals is the trusted place for you to get bike rentals in Seattle. The rental company has among the most trusted and educated staff in their house. They have multiple outlets across the country and two shops in Washington – at Seattle and Tacoma.Wheel Fun Rentals offer solo bikes and smaller bikes for kids, tandem cycles for the whole family, and local tours with self-guided audio for tourists. Deuce Coupe and Surreys can also be rented at Wheel Fun Rentals. A regular bike is available at an hourly rate of USD 13 and a full day’s USD 33. Tandem bikes are available at USD 20 per hour.
Address: 2530 Alki Avenue SW, Seattle, Washington 98116
Phone: (206) 932-2035
Email: [email protected]
Hours: 10:00 AM to sunset for 7 days a week between March and mid-September.
10:00 AM to sunset for Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays between mid-September to mid-November.
The rental is usually closed between mid-November to February end.
3. Evo Rentals
Evo Rentals offer not only bike rentals in Seattle but most other adventure sports gears – skaters, snowboards, surfing boards, camp accessories, skiing gear, and more. Among bikes, they have the regular and e-bike variety in both comfort hybrid and mountain bikes. However, the e-bikes are not available for a long-term booking. Comfort hybrids can be booked for 24 hours at USC 40 and a week at USD 200, while mountain bikes can be hired for a day at USD 90 and 7 days at USD 450. The e-bike variety can be rented at USD 70 and USD 150 for a single day’s use respectively.Address: 3500 Stone Way N, Seattle, WA 98103
Phone: US and Canada: 1-866-386-1590; Worldwide: (206) 632-7598
Hours: Monday to Thursday - 07:00 AM - 07:00 PM
Friday - 07:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Saturday and Sunday - 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
4. Pedego Electric Bikes
Pedego Bike Rentals both sell and rent out bikes, and the latter is perfect for exploring Seattle on a limited budget. Their Standard rentals are available at USD 20 per hour, premium at USD 25 per hour, and Specialty at USD 30 per hour. For a full day’s rent, the rates for the same are USD 100, USD 125, and USD 150 respectively.Address: 2609 NW Market St., Seattle, WA 98107
Phone: (206) 880-1252Email: [email protected]
Hours: Tuesday to Thursday – By Appointment Only
Friday to Sunday – 12:00 AM to 5:00 PMMonday – Closed
5. Alki Bike & Board
Established in 1987, the family-owned Alki Bike & Board was the first bike rental in Seattle along the Alki Beach area. Their bike rental service comes with a guided tour along the coast with a stunning view of the Olympic Mountains and the Seattle skyline. Their website promises you can even get a look at wildlife like seals, bald eagles, and orca whales during the tour. Alki Bike & Board are a green bike rental in Seattle, promoting sustainability and carbon-neutrality in their business.Address: 2606 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98119There are quite a few other bike rentals in Seattle which you can choose from, such as Montlake Bicycle Shop, Recycled Cycles, Seattle Cycling Tours, and Spider's Ski & Sports. But they have put their rental service on hold at the moment. Explore the city streets in your own terms at pocket-friendly rates with the top bike rentals in Seattle.
Phone: (206) 938-3322
Hours: Monday to Thursday and Sunday - 12:00 PM to 06:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM to 06:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM to 06:00 PM