Bike Hire | Student Tips & Advice

If you’re studying for more than a few weeks at the school and would like a bike to ride around the city, it might be cheaper for you to buy one.

There are lots of bike shops in Portsmouth where you can rent or buy a new or second-hand bike.

Important information:

It is illegal to ride a bike at night without lights so you if you want to use your bike in the dark, you must have lights. A lock is essential if you don’t want your bike to be stolen. A helmet is recommended for general safety. You can buy helmets from £20, locks from £10 (D-locks are a little more expensive but the best for security) and lights from £12.

Below are details for 2 bike shops that are located near to LSI/IH Portsmouth.

Southsea Cycles
Portsmouth Cycle Exchange

Both of the shops recommended below sell helmets, locks and lights.

Southsea Cycles
You can buy or hire a bike from Southsea Cycles on Albert Road.
- Cost to buy
  
  Here you can buy a second-hand bike from £50. They are fully serviced. They will also buy back your bike if it is still in a good condition.
- Cost to hire
  
  - £15 a day (one day is 24 hours - if you rent a bike at 2pm on Tuesday, you must return it by 2pm on Wednesday)
  
  - If you rent a bike for 7 days or more, you will get a discount of 10%
  
  - You have to pay £100 deposit but you will get this back when you return the bike (as long as it is not damaged)
- Is insurance included in the hire cost?
  
  No they do not provide insurance. LSI/IH Portsmouth recommends that all students take out insurance before coming to the UK. See our Insurance information for more advice.
- What do I get for my money when I hire?
  
  - a bike
  - a helmet
  - a lock
- What do I need to hire a bike?
  
  -a driving licence or a passport as proof of identity
  
  - a debit or credit card to pay for the bike
- What happens if the bike is stolen or badly damaged when I’m renting it?
  
  Each bike costs £300, so if someone steals it while you are renting, you will need to pay the full £300.
Portsmouth Cycle Exchange
Cycle Exchange
- Cost to buy
  
  Here you can buy a second-hand bike from £69. They are fully serviced and have a year’s guarantee.
- Cost to rent
  
  When bikes are available, the cost of renting is £10 a day. Insurance is not included.

Buying or Hiring a bike in Portsmouth