Wee Bike Library
The Wee Bike Library is a programme based in Edinburgh and Perth where families can borrow kids bikes (+ cargo bikes) for free and exchange those bikes for the next size up as their kids grow. It has been operating since August 2023 and expanded to include cargo bikes in June 2025.
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The aim of the Wee Bike Library is to remove barriers that families face when trying to access bikes for their children and change behaviour around transport methods. By being able to borrow both kids bikes and Cargo bikes, the wee bike library is creating generational change and making sustainable travel across our cities more accessible.
When using the Wee Bike Library, customers can also borrow a set of lights, lock and helmet to use with their bike. Borrowed bikes can also be repaired for free during the loan period.
Reserve a Bike
"My child has gained a whole new friendship circle because wee bike library provided a much needed bigger bike which has allowed it to happen. The friendships made have been invaluable to her.”
-Wee Bike Library Parent
Frequently asked questions
Yes! There is no cost to borrow or repair a borrowed bike from us.
Upon collection, you may receive a lock, lights and a helmet if you need them. These are also free of charge, however when you stop using the service the lock and lights must be returned. We cannot accept the return of used helmets.
The Wee Bike Library is available to everyone in Edinburgh and Perth and is operated on a first come, first served basis. As long as there is a suitable bike available for reservation on our website, anyone in those areas can access the service.
To sign up, please visit this link.
If you are having trouble, you can follow the instructions on the video below.
To reserve a bike, please follow this link and create an account on our Wee Bike Library platform.
Once you have created an account, you will be able to reserve a bike and choose a collection and return date.
If you are having trouble reserving a bike, you can watch the video below.
The cargo bikes in our fleet consist of adult sized electric, motor assisted bikes that can transport cargo or passengers.
We have a range of cargo bikes available in Edinburgh and Perth, each with their own features and specifications. Please refer to our online inventory to find out more about our cargo bikes.
Yes!
Providing that we have bikes available, you can reserve one bike for each of your children.
Loans for our cargo bikes work slightly differently to our kids bikes:
Loans can be up to one month and users borrowing cargo bikes must also sign an additional loan agreement and watch a safety video due to the nature of these bikes
Our cargo bikes already come with a set of lights, so those will not be provided. A lock will be provided with the bike and must be used whenever the bike is left unattended. We can also provide a helmet if users don’t have one already
Cargo bikes available through the Wee Bike Library are not available for purchase
We aim to provide at least one bike of each size across all branches every week. Bike sizes will vary between a balance bike and a 24" wheel.
If your child is under 16 and too tall for a 24" bike we can provide a bigger one, providing we have a suitable bike available.
Bikes are added to the inventory every week and we always aim to have at least one bike of each size available. Bikes will also be returned to us from time to time.
If you don't find a suitable bike straight away, we recommend checking the inventory each week to see if more bikes have been added or returned.
You can, providing that there is an unreserved bike available. You will still need to sign up and agree to our Terms and Conditions online, however you can do this whilst still in the shop.
Customers must sign up online and agree to our Terms and Conditions in order to access bikes through the Wee Bike Library. This is so that we can keep track of who has our bikes, how many bikes are out and due back in, etc.
We need your name, proof of ID and address so we know who we are lending out bikes to and so we can confirm that the person who made the reservation is the same person who is collecting the bike.
We need your email address to contact you about feedback on the programme, as we will need to report to our funders from time to time.
We need card details because if a bike is not returned or has been lost/stolen/damaged beyond repair, we will need to charge compensation as per our Terms and Conditions.
We currently do not sell kids bikes as they are all provided free of charge through our Wee Bike Library.
By using the Library, you can borrow bikes for all your children and swap them for the next size up as they grow, so you don't need to buy bikes until your children need adult bikes.
You will need to bring proof of ID (passport, driving licence, bank card) and proof of address (council tax or utility bill). We will accept those in electronic format if you cannot bring the physical copy.
If you are collecting a bike on behalf of the person who made the reservation, you will need to provide your name as well as their ID and proof of address.
You will not be able to collect bikes if you fail to provide ID and proof of address.
Unfortunately our bikes are only available at the location specified on our website.
If you are able (and willing) to go to a different branch to collect a bike we will not stop you from doing so. However, we will not transport bikes between branches ourselves and the bike would have to be returned to the same branch it was collected from originally.
Upon collection, providing that we have a bike available that is the appropriate size for your child, you may borrow that bike instead of the bike you originally reserved.
If there isn't a bike available, you would need to cancel your reservation and reserve the appropriate bike when it became available on our inventory.
We always aim to have at least one bike of each size available every week.
If you would like to swap the bike for another bike of the same size (based on personal preference rather than the bike being the wrong size), you will need to cancel your reservation, return the bike you originally borrowed and make a new reservation for a different bike.
The largest kids bike size we offer is a 24". If your child is under 16 and requires a bike bigger than a 24", please contact us on weebikelibrary@thebikestation.org.uk
When you reserve a bike, you will need to choose a return date as well. Bikes can either be returned on those dates or at any other time during our opening hours.
You do not need to book an appointment to return bikes, however if you are exchanging it for the next size up we would recommend returning them on the same day you are collecting the new bike to save you from having to make two trips.
If you are unable to return the bike on its due date, please contact us as soon as you can to let us know, or amend your reservation on our website. Failure to do so may result in a weekly charge for each week the bike is overdue.
You can contact us through social media or email us at weebikelibrary@thebikestation.org.uk.