WAIHEKE CYCLES E-BIKE HIRE TERMS AND CONDITIONS
These Terms and Conditions are designed to keep you safe, informed and supported during your e-bike hire.
These Terms and Conditions operate alongside the Waiheke Cycles E-Bike Hire Waiver and Risk Acknowledgement. Together, they form your hire agreement with Waiheke Cycles.
The person making the booking must accept these Terms and Conditions. Each adult rider must also complete or accept their own waiver before riding.
1. Road Use and Safety
1.1 All riders must follow New Zealand road rules and wear an approved helmet at all times.
1.2 Keep left, ride predictably and use cycle lanes or shared paths where available. Ride with awareness of traffic, pedestrians, road conditions and your surroundings.
1.3 All riders must behave safely, respectfully and responsibly.
1.4 Appropriate footwear is required. Loose clothing or other items that could interfere with the wheels, chain, pedals or controls must be secured before riding.
2. Equipment Use and Care
2.1 Treat the bike and all supplied equipment with reasonable care. If something feels wrong, stop riding as soon as safely possible and contact us.
2.2 Do not attempt significant repairs or adjustments without our approval. We may talk you through a simple adjustment where appropriate.
2.3 Do not ride through the sea, sand, tidal water, deep water or rivers. Salt water, sand and submersion can cause serious damage to the bike and its electrical components.
2.4 Skidding, drifting, burnouts, intentional brake-locking and deliberately spinning the rear wheel are strictly prohibited. These actions cause severe and unnecessary damage to tyres, drivetrains and braking systems and are not considered normal use.
2.5 Any tyre damaged through deliberate skidding or brake-locking will need to be replaced. The renter will be responsible for the reasonable cost of replacement and installation.
2.6 Bikes must not be jumped, ridden down stairs, raced, used for stunts, deliberately abused or used to tow another person, bicycle, vehicle or object.
2.7 Do not modify or tamper with the motor, battery, display, speed settings, electrical system or any other part of the bike. Batteries must not be removed unless Waiheke Cycles has given permission.
2.8 Chargers are provided for multi-day hires only. Any charger supplied must be kept dry and used only as instructed.
2.9 E-bikes and supplied equipment must remain on Waiheke Island for the entire hire period unless Waiheke Cycles has given prior written permission.
2.10 The bike is for the use of authorised riders included in the booking. It must not be lent, transferred or sub-hired to another person without our approval.
2.11 Riders may be responsible for the reasonable repair, cleaning or replacement costs resulting from misuse, negligence, prohibited use, improper locking or deliberate damage. Normal wear and tear and mechanical failure during normal permitted use will not be charged.
2.12 Any assessment of rider-caused damage will be based on the condition of the bike, the nature of the damage and the circumstances of the hire.
3. Cancellations, Refunds and Weather
3.1 You may cancel up to 48 hours before your scheduled hire time for a refund of the hire fee, less any non-refundable payment-processing cost disclosed at the time of booking.
3.2 No-shows, change-of-mind cancellations made within 48 hours of the hire time, and early returns after the hire has begun are not refundable.
3.3 If you become unwell or injured before your ride, we will try to reschedule your booking where availability allows.
3.4 Light rain does not automatically make riding unsafe. If you are unsure, contact us and we will give you honest advice based on the expected conditions.
3.5 If Waiheke Cycles determines that the conditions are unsafe for your hire to proceed, we will offer to move the booking to another suitable day, subject to availability, or refund the affected hire fee.
4. Rider Responsibility
4.1 Each rider is responsible for riding within their ability, experience and comfort level.
4.2 Each rider must decide whether they are physically able to complete their intended ride. Anyone with concerns about whether cycling is suitable for them should seek appropriate medical advice before riding.
4.3 Riders must not ride while impaired by alcohol, drugs, medication or any other substance that may affect their judgement, coordination or ability to ride safely.
5. Mechanical Issues, Accidents and Support
5.1 If you experience a mechanical or safety issue, stop riding as soon as safely possible and contact us.
5.2 If a bike becomes unusable because of a mechanical failure that was not caused by the rider, we will provide reasonable assistance or recovery without charge.
5.3 Notify Waiheke Cycles as soon as reasonably possible following any accident, collision, significant damage, loss, theft or mechanical problem.
5.4 If you require collection because of illness, discomfort or an inability to continue, we will assist where reasonably possible. We will discuss any applicable collection fee with you before arranging the collection.
5.5 Reasonable recovery or collection costs may apply where assistance is required because of prohibited use, abandonment, loss of keys, failure to return the bike as agreed or circumstances caused by the rider rather than a fault with the bike.
6. Group Bookings
6.1 The person making a group booking is responsible for providing accurate booking information and ensuring these Terms and Conditions are made available to every rider.
6.2 Each adult rider must accept their own E-Bike Hire Waiver and Risk Acknowledgement before riding.
6.3 Each rider is responsible for their own riding and behaviour.
6.4 The responsible adult accepting the waiver for a minor is responsible for supervising that minor throughout the hire.
6.5 Advance notice for large groups or multi-day hires helps us prepare the correct bikes and equipment.
7. Delivery and Collection
7.1 Delivery and collection may be available depending on the location, timing, number of bikes and staff availability.
7.2 Any delivery or collection charge will be confirmed before the booking is finalised.
7.3 The renter is responsible for ensuring someone is available at the agreed location and time unless another arrangement has been confirmed with Waiheke Cycles.
7.4 Additional costs may apply if delivery or collection cannot be completed as agreed because the customer is absent, the location is inaccessible or the bikes are not ready for collection.
8. Rider Size, Fit and Comfort
8.1 Our e-bikes fit most adults comfortably. Riders must provide accurate height and other sizing information where requested so we can allocate a suitable bike.
8.2 Weight, terrain, assistance level, wind and riding style can affect battery range. If you are planning a longer ride, ask us for route advice.
8.3 If you have not ridden recently or feel nervous, let us know. We always explain the bike’s operation and provide a short test ride before departure.
8.4 The rider remains responsible for telling us before departure if the allocated bike does not feel comfortable or manageable.
9. Children and Passengers
9.1 Passengers are not permitted unless they are carried in an approved child or junior seat supplied or fitted by Waiheke Cycles.
9.2 Children using a supplied seat must meet the applicable age, height and weight requirements confirmed during booking. All restraints, foot supports and safety equipment must be used correctly, and the child must wear an approved helmet.
9.3 Children riding their own bike must be capable of safely controlling it and must receive appropriate adult supervision.
9.4 The responsible adult must consider the child’s experience, ability and the riding conditions when deciding whether it is safe for the child to ride or be carried.
9.5 Carrying a child changes the bike’s weight, balance, handling and stopping distance. The adult rider must ride accordingly.
10. Where You Can Ride
10.1 You may ride on public roads, shared paths and formed, maintained gravel roads.
10.2 These bikes are not mountain bikes. Mountain biking and off-road riding are strictly prohibited, including MTB trails, single-track, unformed tracks, jumps, berms, beaches, sand and other rough terrain.
10.3 Please respect private property and stay off restricted tracks and environmentally sensitive areas.
10.4 If you are considering a longer or more challenging road ride, such as Man O’ War, let us know your confidence level so we can give you honest advice about whether the route is suitable.
11. Security, Loss and Theft
11.1 You are responsible for taking reasonable precautions to protect the bike and supplied equipment from loss or theft.
11.2 Whenever the bike is left unattended, use the supplied lock and secure the bike to an appropriate fixed object wherever reasonably possible.
11.3 Keep keys, removable accessories and other supplied equipment secure.
11.4 Notify Waiheke Cycles immediately if a bike or any supplied equipment is lost or stolen.
11.5 Where loss or theft results from a failure to take reasonable security precautions, the renter may be responsible for the reasonable repair or replacement cost.
12. Return, Late Fees and Missing Equipment
12.1 Return the bike and all supplied equipment to the agreed location by the agreed time.
12.2 If you expect to be late or cannot return the bike as agreed, contact Waiheke Cycles as soon as reasonably possible.
12.3 Reasonable additional charges may apply for extra hire time, missing equipment or collection required because the bike was not returned as agreed.
12.4 You may be responsible for the reasonable repair or replacement cost of missing or damaged equipment, including batteries, displays, helmets, locks, keys, panniers, phone holders, lights, chargers and child seats.
12.5 To the extent permitted by law and the applicable payment provider, you authorise Waiheke Cycles to charge the payment method associated with the booking for amounts properly payable under these Terms.
12.6 Any charge will reflect the reasonable cost incurred and is not intended to operate as a penalty.
13. Environmental and Community Respect
13.1 Ride with care for Waiheke Island’s environment and community.
13.2 Do not damage tracks, roadsides or vegetation. Respect wildlife, residents, other road users, private property and local spaces.
14. Website, Privacy and Communications
14.1 We aim to keep the information on our website accurate and current, but availability, pricing and operational details may change.
14.2 We collect and use personal information to manage bookings, provide equipment and support, process payments, meet legal obligations and communicate with customers.
14.3 Information may be shared with booking, payment and other service providers where reasonably necessary to provide these services, or where required by law. We do not sell customer information.
14.4 By booking with us, you agree that we may contact you with information directly related to your booking or hire.
14.5 Marketing messages will only be sent where you have chosen to receive them, and you may opt out at any time.
14.6 Content owned by Waiheke Cycles, including original photographs, written material, branding and graphics, must not be reproduced or used without permission.
15. New Zealand Consumer Rights
15.1 Nothing in these Terms and Conditions excludes, restricts or modifies any right, guarantee, remedy or liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or restricted under New Zealand law.
16. Optional Accidental Damage Waiver Protection
16.1 An optional Accidental Damage Waiver may be purchased at the time of booking for $10 per bike, per hire day. If selected, the Accidental Damage Waiver must be purchased for all bikes included in the same booking and for the full duration of the hire.
16.2 Where the Accidental Damage Waiver has been purchased, Waiheke Cycles will waive the hirer’s liability for the first $500 of eligible accidental damage to each covered bike occurring during the hire period.
16.3 The Accidental Damage Waiver applies to genuine accidental damage occurring while the bike is being used in accordance with these Hire Terms, including accidental crash damage and accidental damage occurring while the bike is parked.
16.4 The Accidental Damage Waiver does not apply to theft or loss of the bike, loss or theft of accessories, deliberate or reckless damage, unauthorised modifications or tampering, carrying unauthorised passengers, prohibited use, or damage arising from any breach of these Hire Terms. Any exclusions or prohibited uses stated elsewhere in these Hire Terms continue to apply.
16.5 The hirer remains responsible for:
any eligible repair costs exceeding the $500 waiver limit;
the full cost of any damage or loss excluded from the Accidental Damage Waiver; and
any other liability arising under these Hire Terms that is not specifically waived by this section.
16.6 Reasonable punctures and normal wear arising from ordinary use are already covered as part of the standard hire and do not count towards the $500 Accidental Damage Waiver.
16.7 The Accidental Damage Waiver is a contractual reduction of the hirer’s liability to Waiheke Cycles and is not represented as an insurance policy.
17. Location & Tracking Devices
17.1 Hire bikes may be fitted with GPS, Bluetooth or other location or tracking devices.
17.2 These devices may collect or provide location information during the hire period. Waiheke Cycles may access this information where reasonably necessary for purposes including locating or recovering an overdue, missing or stolen bike, protecting our property, responding to an emergency, or investigating a suspected serious breach of these Hire Terms.
17.3 Tracking information will not be used for unrelated purposes and will only be accessed, retained or disclosed where reasonably necessary for the purposes for which it was collected or where otherwise required or permitted by law.
17.4 By hiring a bike from Waiheke Cycles, the hirer acknowledges that a tracking device may be fitted to the bike and that location information may be collected and used for the purposes described above.