Hiring a bike in Tyne and Wear is certainly not as easy as in many countries, but it's getting better! See also the bike hire links page on this site for places further afield, but known bike hire places in Tyne and Wear at present are as follows. We have also been notified of a hire facility in mid Northumberland and are listing that first.

Northumberland

Black Sheep Bikes
Shepherds Cottage
Burradon, Thropton
Northumberland
NE65 7HF
Opening spring 2006. Typical charges are £12 a day for a mountain or touring bike or £17 a day for a tandem. Can meet you off the ferry or bring bikes to your holiday accommodation. There would be an extra charge for this and for extras such as luggage racks or child seats - ring or email for a price. Lots of choice of bikes, though advance booking is advised.
Tel: 01669 631121
Email: info@blacksheepbikes.co.uk
Internet: www.blacksheepbikes.co.uk
Location map: www.streetmap.co.uk

Tyne and Wear

Tyne Bridge Bike Hire
The Guildhall
Quayside
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 3AF
Opened July 2005. In same building as the Tourist Information Centre and there is also now a tearoom. They can transport your own bikes (for C2C etc) on their trailer as well as hiring you one of their bikes
Tel: 0191 277 2441 or 07932 767814 (out of hours)
Email: info@tynebridgebikehire.co.uk
Internet: www.tynebridgebikehire.co.uk

South Shields seafront
Walkway Tent Store
Sea Road
South Shields
Ran last year from 28 May to 31 August 2005 - not sure yet if running in 2006. Excellent coastal cycle rotue down to mouth of Wear. Cycles are available for half-day, full-day or weekly hire.
Tel: 0191 424 7981.

Whickham Thorns Outdoor Activity Centre
Market Lane
Dunston
Gateshead
NE11 9NX
New mountain bikes are available to hire for individuals or groups. Bikes can be hired by the hour, the day or over the weekend. Open 7 days a week: Mon-Fri 11.00am -10.00pm, Sat 11.00am - 6.30pm & Sun 12 noon - 3.00pm.
Tel: 0191 433 5767
Fax: 0191 433 5766
Email: whickhamthorns@leisure.gatesheadmbc.gov.uk
Internet: www.gateshead.gov.uk/leisserv/whickhamthorns.htm
Location map: www.streetmap.co.uk

Newburn Leisure Centre
Grange Rd
Newburn
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE15 8ND
Explore the Tyne Valley on excellent routes, flat and virtually traffic free. Junior, ladies and adults mountain bikes. Hire 1.5 hrs @ £4.00 (with Citycard discount £3.60 and £2.40), half day hire £8.00, full day £16.00. Tandem and special needs bikes: hire 1.5 hrs @ £4.50 (with Citycard discount £4.05 & £2.70). Special rates for group bookings. Need two items of identification for hire - passport, driving licence and/or credit card.
Tel: 0191 264 0014
Email: michael.irvine@newcastle.gov.uk
Location map: www.streetmap.co.uk

Newcastle Central Station left luggage office has two mountain bikes for hire @ £10 per day with £50 deposit. Bookable in advance. No idea what quality. Tel: 0191 233 1616. Open: Mon-Sat 08.00-20.00, Sun 09.00-20.00.

A&S Cycles in South Shields may be able to do limited hire on request - see details of shop here.

See also cycle hire page on Northumberland County Council site for hire locations to west and north.

This page partially updated 17 May 2007.