Discover Nelson by bike with The Gentle Cycling Company’s full-day hire. Cruise coastal paths, vineyards, and the Great Taste Trail at your own pace with family-friendly and e-bike options.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
Hang tight — photos are loading
This usually takes just a second.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
4+ hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for riders of varied fitness levels; e-bikes help with endurance and hills.
Wildlife
History
Nelson was one of New Zealand's earliest European settlements, with the Great Taste Trail passing through areas once important for Maori seasonal food gathering.
Conservation
The region emphasizes maintaining native vegetation and clean waterways, making low-impact cycling a preferred eco-friendly option.
The Gentle Cycling Company
Discover Nelson by bike with The Gentle Cycling Company’s full-day hire. Cruise coastal paths, vineyards, and the Great Taste Trail at your own pace with family-friendly and e-bike options.
The Gentle Cycling Company is a Nelson, Nelson based operator offering bike hire, shuttle services and a range of cycling experiences across the Nelson region.
The company provides multiple bike hire durations, including 3‑hour, half‑day (4 hours), 6‑hour, full‑day, two‑day, three‑day and five‑day rentals. Riders can choose standard bicycles or electric bikes (e‑bikes); e‑bikes make hills easier and extend possible riding distances. Shuttle services include the Nelson Airport Shuttle, which carries up to 10 people and their bikes or luggage into Nelson or Richmond, and Coastal Shuttle options that transport groups up to 20 people to destinations such as Mapua, Motueka or Kaiteriteri Mountain Bike Park.
Available trips and experiences listed include the Rameka Track Shuttle, Mapua Shuttle with a ferry to Mapua and Rabbit Island access, Kaiteriteri bike hire options, Spooner's Tunnel Tour, Great Taste Wine and Beer tours (Gold, Silver, Bronze), Paddle & Pedal Combo, Rabbit Island Picnic Tour, Great Taste Goose Chase, Mapua Cycle & Shuttle and a variety of independent multi‑day bike hire packages. The Gentle Cycling Company offers transport of bikes and luggage and can customize shuttle pickups or group arrangements on request. Trip names and summaries reflect the experiences offered; prospective customers should contact the operator directly for current availability, group requirements and booking details.
Base Location
Nelson, Nelson
Operates from Nelson city
Bike Types
Standard & E‑bikes
Choose standard or electric bikes
Shuttle Capacity
Up to 20
Group shuttles for people and gear
Rental Durations
3 hrs–5 days
Flexible short and multi‑day hires
Secure standard or e‑bike rentals, book airport or coastal shuttles, or request a customized group transfer — check availability and book in advance.
Plan Your Route Around Your Fitness Level
Choose a route that matches your cycling ability—from flat coastal paths to more demanding vineyard climbs.
Bring a Water Bottle
Hydration is key; carry enough water when cycling, especially on sunny days along exposed trails.
Check Bike Fit Before You Ride
Adjust your bike properly for comfort, especially if renting an e-bike or cargo bike for longer rides.
Wear a Helmet
Helmets are supplied but always recommended for safety on mixed-use paths and occasional road sections.
Helmet
Protect your head on mixed terrain and road segments.
Water Bottle
Stay hydrated during sunny, warm rides.
summer
Layered Clothing
Adjust to changing temperatures and weather conditions easily.
spring|fall|winter
Puncture Repair Kit
Useful fallback to fix flats on gravel and unsealed sections of the Great Taste Trail.