Wellington Electric Bike Hire & Tours – Switched on Bikes
Wellington Electric Bike Hire & Tours - Switched on Bikes
Explore Wellington the easy way with Switched on Bikes. Hire a quality electric bike from the waterfront or join a guided tour to see the city’s highlights, bays, and scenic lookouts — with pedal assist to tackle the hills comfortably.
Want to see more of Wellington? Hire an e-bike or join a guided tour
Switched on Bikes offers electric bike hire and guided tours in Wellington, making it easy to explore the city’s hills, coastline, and neighbourhoods with minimal effort. Located on the Wellington Waterfront, just a short walk from the i-SITE Visitor Centre, it’s the perfect starting point for discovering the capital on two wheels.
With quality electric bikes and pedal-assist technology, riding Wellington’s hills becomes comfortable and fun. Cruise along the waterfront, cycle to nearby beaches, or ride effortlessly to scenic lookouts such as Mount Victoria while enjoying panoramic city and harbour views.
Guided Electric Bike Tours
Guided tours are ideal if you want local insight while covering more ground. Knowledgeable guides share Wellington’s history, culture, and stories as you ride past some of the city’s most iconic landmarks.
Popular guided tours include:
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City Highlights Tour – Ride past Wellington’s must-see attractions, including Parliament’s Beehive, Wellington Cathedral, and Te Papa
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Wadestown to Zealandia Tour – Cycle through leafy suburbs to Zealandia Ecosanctuary, home to native wildlife
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Wellington Waterfront Tour – Enjoy an easy, scenic ride along the harbour with skyline and coastal views
Self-Guided Electric Bike Hire
Prefer to explore at your own pace? Electric bike hire is available for independent riders, with a range of suggested routes from easy waterfront rides to more challenging hill climbs. Maps and route advice are provided to help you make the most of your time in Wellington.
Whether you’re visiting Wellington for the first time or rediscovering your own city, Switched on Bikes offers a relaxed, enjoyable way to experience more with less effort.
Guided Electric Bike Tour
Introduction to Wellington
Price: $145 per adult Teenager $100
Departs: Select time when booking
Duration: 2 to 2.5 Hours
An easy-paced introduction to Wellington, perfect if you’re short on time or prefer riding mostly on cycle paths.
Ride along the Wellington Waterfront while your local guide introduces you to the people, stories, and places that shaped the capital into New Zealand’s creative hub. There’s plenty of time for photos, questions, and relaxed riding.
Highlights
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Wellington Waterfront & Oriental Bay
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New Zealand Parliament & Wellington Railway Station
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Te Papa Museum & Cuba Street
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Wellington Stadium
Regular bikes are used for this mostly flat tour, with the option to upgrade to an electric bike.
Meet at Switched on Bikes on Queens Wharf. Tour finishes back at the store.
Guided Electric Bike Tour
Wellington Bays & Mt Victoria
Price: $195 per adult Teenager $125
Departs: Select when booking
Duration: 3 to 4 Hours
This small-group guided e-bike tour is one of Wellington’s top-rated experiences and covers far more ground with ease.
After a safety briefing and practice session, follow your guide along the waterfront, through Wellington’s bays, and around the scenic Miramar Peninsula. Finish with an effortless climb to the Mt Victoria lookout for panoramic views over the city and harbour.
Highlights
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Oriental Bay & Wellington Harbour
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Miramar Peninsula coastal riding
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Café stop along the way
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Mt Victoria lookout
Modern pedal-assist electric bikes ensure riders of all abilities can keep pace comfortably.
Tour returns to Switched on Bikes by early afternoon.
City Bike Hire (Non-Electric)
Price: $60 per person
Hire period: Half Day (Upto 4 Hours)
Pick Up: from 8:30 am onwards & ride for upto 4 Hours, returned prior 5:30 pm.
Explore Wellington at your own pace with a standard city bike. Ideal for relaxed rides along the waterfront or around the bays.
Recommended routes include the Miramar Peninsula loop or a ride to Lyall Bay with a suggested café stop along the way. A full-day hire is available if you’d like time to visit attractions such as Te Papa or Wētā Workshop.
Includes helmet, lock, and cycle map with local tips.
BOOK HERE Full Day Hire $70 per person
Tandem Bike Hire - Half Day
Price: $85 per person
Hire period: Half Day (Upto 4 Hours)
Pick Up: from 8:30 am onwards & ride for upto 4 Hours, returned prior 5:30 pm.
A fun and social way to explore Wellington together. Cruise the waterfront, ride the bays to Shelly Bay, or challenge yourselves with a longer loop via Happy Valley Road.
Perfect for couples, friends, or anyone wanting a shared riding experience. Helmets, lock, and route maps included, plus a pre-ride briefing in a large car-free space.
Electric Bike Hire - Half Day
Price: $85 per person
Hire period: Half Day (Upto 4 Hours)
Pick Up: Anytime from 8:30 am onwards & ride for upto 4 Hours, returned prior 5:30 pm.
Hire an electric bike and explore Wellington effortlessly, regardless of fitness level. Pedal-assist makes hills and longer rides comfortable and enjoyable.
Recommended half-day routes include the bays, Miramar Peninsula, and Mt Victoria lookout, with café stops and scenic viewpoints along the way.
Upgrade to a full day if you’d like to visit attractions such as Zealandia, Te Papa, or Wētā Workshop.
Electric Bike Hire - Full Day
Price: $99 per person
Hire period: Full Day (Upto 8 Hours)
Pick Up: Anytime from 8:30 am (9:00 am Weekends) onwards & ride for upto Hours, returned prior 5:30 pm.
The best option for seeing the most of Wellington in one day. Use your e-bike as both transport and activity as you ride between the city’s must-see attractions.
Suggested routes include the bays, Mt Victoria lookout, Miramar Peninsula, and rides to Zealandia Sanctuary, Te Papa, the Cable Car, or Wētā Workshop. With pedal assist, you can cover more ground without rushing.
Wellington Places to See by Bike
With so many great places to explore, Wellington is an ideal city to discover on two wheels. Whether you’re looking for scenic viewpoints, coastal rides, or mountain bike trails, an electric bike makes it easy to see more with less effort.
Mount Victoria
Just a 10-minute ride from our store, Mount Victoria offers a range of mountain bike trails from easy to expert. At the top, you’ll find Wellington’s most popular lookout point, with spectacular panoramic views across the city and harbour.
Polhill Reserve & Brooklyn Wind Turbine
Only 15 minutes from the waterfront, Polhill Reserve features a network of trails ranging from shared paths to expert downhill runs. Climb to the top to visit the iconic Brooklyn Wind Turbine and lookout, then enjoy a rewarding ride back down.
Makara Peak Mountain Bike Park
Makara Peak is further afield, but well worth the effort. You can take the Cable Car with your bike to the Botanic Garden, then ride on to Makara Peak (allow 1.5–2 hours to reach the top). Once there, you’re rewarded with Wellington’s largest collection of mountain bike trails. A full-day hire is recommended for this ride.
Miramar Peninsula
Miramar offers short but fun downhill trails and is reached via a scenic ride around Wellington’s bays. This area is also known as Wellington’s film-making suburb, adding an extra layer of interest to the ride.
Red Rocks & Wellington South Coast
Riding to Red Rocks is a scenic and relatively easy journey. The route follows flat coastal roads around the bays before continuing along a rough beach track to Wellington’s rugged southern coast. In winter, you may spot fur seals resting on the rocks — and yes, the rocks really are red. A full-day hire is recommended for this ride.
See Wellington Your Way on an Electric Bike
Whether you’re chasing viewpoints, coastal scenery, or off-road trails, an electric bike gives you the freedom to explore Wellington at your own pace — without worrying about hills or distance.
Frequently Asked Questions – Wellington Electric Bike Hire & Tours
Why choose Switched on Bikes for electric bike hire and tours in Wellington?
Switched on Bikes is a locally owned Wellington company offering high-quality electric bike hire and guided tours from a central waterfront location. With a range of tour options and flexible hire periods, it’s an easy and enjoyable way to explore the city on two wheels.
How do electric bikes make sightseeing in Wellington easier?
Electric bikes provide pedal assistance, making it much easier to ride Wellington’s hills, longer distances, and coastal routes. This allows you to see more of the city without getting tired, regardless of your fitness level.
Are the guided electric bike tours suitable for beginners?
Yes. Guided tours are run at a relaxed pace and include a safety briefing and practice session before setting off. They’re well suited to beginners or anyone with limited cycling experience, with regular stops for photos and questions.
What can I see on a self-guided electric bike hire in Wellington?
With a self-guided hire, you can explore Wellington’s waterfront, bays, beaches, and scenic lookouts at your own pace. Popular destinations include Mount Victoria, Polhill Reserve, the Miramar Peninsula, Makara Peak, and Red Rocks on the South Coast.
Why choose an electric bike tour instead of other sightseeing options?
Electric bike tours offer a fun, flexible, and environmentally friendly way to experience Wellington. You can cover more ground than walking, enjoy open-air views, and reach places that are harder to access by car or bus — all while enjoying local insight or riding independently.
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