Bike Hire Terms and Conditions
Last updated: 10 August 2026
These terms apply to bicycles, e-bikes, equipment and accessories hired from Drover Cycles.
1. About us
Bike hire is provided by:
Drover Cycles (Hay on Wye) Ltd
Forest Road
Hay-on-Wye
Herefordshire
HR3 5DS
Registered in England and Wales under company number 16125118.
Telephone: 01497 822419
Email: info@drovercycles.co.uk
In these terms, “Drover Cycles”, “we”, “us”, “our” and “the Owner” mean Drover Cycles (Hay on Wye) Ltd.
The person making or accepting the hire is referred to as “the Hirer”.
2. Booking and payment
Where hire is booked more than seven days before the hire date, a deposit of 25% of the hire price is payable when booking.
The remaining balance is due seven days before the hire date.
Where a booking is made within seven days of the hire date, the full hire price is payable when booking.
A booking is not confirmed until any payment required at that stage has been received.
3. Cancellation by the Hirer
If you cancel more than 72 hours before the agreed hire time, the booking deposit is non-refundable but any balance paid above the deposit will be refunded.
If you cancel less than 72 hours before the agreed hire time, or fail to attend or collect the bicycles, the full hire charge is non-refundable.
Where at least 24 hours’ notice is given, you may request that the booking be transferred to another available date within the same calendar year. We will not charge an administration fee for doing so, but all changes are subject to availability.
4. Weather and unsafe conditions
Normal poor weather does not automatically entitle the Hirer to a refund.
Where at least 24 hours’ notice is given, a booking may instead be transferred to another available date in the same calendar year as described above.
If Drover Cycles determines that weather, flooding, ice or other conditions make it unsafe for the hire or delivery to proceed, we will offer a full refund or, if you prefer, transfer the booking to another available date.
5. The hire period
The hire period begins when the bicycle or equipment is handed to the Hirer or delivered to the agreed location and continues until it is returned to or recovered by Drover Cycles.
The bicycle and all supplied accessories remain the property of Drover Cycles (Hay on Wye) Ltd throughout the hire period.
The Hirer must not sell, sub-hire, lend or otherwise part with possession of the hired equipment except to another authorised rider included in the booking.
6. Condition of equipment
We will supply bicycles and equipment in a condition suitable for their intended use.
The Hirer should report any apparent problem or damage before setting off.
The Hirer agrees to take reasonable care of the equipment and return it, together with all accessories supplied, in substantially the same condition as received, allowing for reasonable wear and tear.
7. Rider responsibility
Cycling involves inherent risks.
Each rider is responsible for riding within their own ability and for making reasonable decisions about route choice, terrain, weather, traffic and other conditions.
The Hirer and riders must:
- use the bicycle responsibly and for an appropriate purpose;
- comply with applicable road traffic laws and regulations;
- follow reasonable safety instructions provided by Drover Cycles;
- not ride while under the influence of alcohol or drugs;
- stop using the bicycle if a fault develops that could make continued use unsafe; and
- notify Drover Cycles as soon as reasonably possible of a significant breakdown, accident, theft or loss.
8. Helmets and safety equipment
We strongly recommend that all riders wear an appropriately fitted cycle helmet.
Where helmets or other safety equipment are supplied, riders are responsible for using them correctly.
Parents or responsible adults are responsible for decisions concerning children in their care.
9. E-bikes
The minimum legal age for riding an electrically assisted pedal cycle on a public road in the UK is 14 years.
Anyone hiring or riding one of our e-bikes must meet the applicable legal requirements.
E-bikes must not be modified, derestricted or tampered with.
10. Child seats and trailers
Child seats are generally suitable for children from approximately nine months to six years, subject to the individual product’s limits, with a maximum child weight of 22kg where specified by the manufacturer.
Trailers are generally recommended from approximately one year of age and have a maximum total load of 45kg, subject to the limits of the particular trailer supplied.
Children develop at different rates. The responsible adult must ensure that a child is physically capable of using the relevant equipment safely, including being able to sit upright and adequately support their head where required.
Manufacturer instructions and limits take precedence.
11. Breakdowns
If a bicycle develops a mechanical fault during normal use that is not caused by misuse or damage, please contact us.
Riders may deal with straightforward roadside issues for which suitable equipment and knowledge are available, such as a puncture or displaced chain.
For more significant faults, we will use reasonable efforts to provide assistance, repair the bicycle or provide a replacement where practicable.
If a fault for which we are responsible materially prevents use of the bicycle and we cannot provide a reasonable remedy, we will provide an appropriate refund for the affected part of the hire.
12. Damage
The Hirer is responsible for taking reasonable care of the hired equipment.
We may charge the reasonable cost of repairing damage caused by accident, misuse, negligence or failure to comply with these terms, excluding reasonable wear and tear.
Where equipment is damaged beyond economic repair through circumstances for which the Hirer is responsible, we may charge a reasonable amount reflecting its replacement value and condition.
13. Damage Waiver
Where offered, an optional Damage Waiver may reduce or remove the Hirer’s liability for specified accidental damage.
The Damage Waiver does not cover deliberate or malicious damage, theft, loss, reckless or careless use, prohibited use, or failure to return the equipment.
The exact scope of the Damage Waiver will be explained when it is purchased and those terms form part of the hire agreement.
14. Security, loss and theft
When unattended, bicycles must be secured inside a building or vehicle or locked to a suitable immovable object using an appropriate lock.
The Hirer must take reasonable precautions against theft.
If a bicycle or other equipment is lost or stolen during the hire period, the Hirer must notify Drover Cycles promptly and, in the case of theft, report it to the police where appropriate.
Where loss or theft results from the Hirer’s failure to take reasonable care or comply with these terms, we may charge up to the reasonable replacement value of the equipment.
If an amount has been paid for lost or stolen equipment and the equipment is subsequently recovered in usable condition, we will refund the appropriate amount, allowing for any reasonable costs or damage arising from the incident.
15. Deposits and payment cards
We may require a security deposit or payment-card authorisation as a condition of hire.
Any security deposit will be returned following the hire provided the equipment is returned as agreed and no properly chargeable amount is outstanding.
We will explain any charge we propose to make for loss or damage.
16. Late return
Equipment must be returned at the agreed time and place.
If equipment is returned materially late without prior agreement, we may make a reasonable additional hire charge reflecting the additional period and any resulting costs.
17. Fines and penalties
The Hirer is responsible for fines, penalties or charges arising from their use of the bicycle during the hire period where those amounts are legally the Hirer’s responsibility.
18. Our responsibility
Nothing in these terms excludes or limits liability where it would be unlawful to do so, including liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence or for fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation.
We are responsible for foreseeable loss or damage caused by our breach of contract or failure to use reasonable care and skill.
We are not responsible for loss or damage caused by a rider’s misuse of the bicycle, failure to follow reasonable instructions, riding beyond their ability, or circumstances outside our reasonable control.
Nothing in these terms affects your statutory rights.
19. Personal belongings
Drover Cycles is not responsible for personal belongings left with us, in baskets or luggage, or otherwise carried during the hire except where loss or damage is caused by our negligence.
20. Ending a hire
We may terminate a hire and recover our equipment where the Hirer materially breaches these terms, uses equipment unlawfully or dangerously, or puts the equipment at unreasonable risk.
Where reasonable additional costs are incurred in recovering equipment because of the Hirer’s breach, we may charge those reasonable costs.
21. Personal information
Personal information relating to hire bookings is processed in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
22. Refunds
Our cancellation arrangements are set out above and summarised in our Refund Policy.
Nothing in these terms affects any statutory rights which cannot legally be excluded.
23. Governing law
These terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales.
If you are a consumer resident elsewhere in the United Kingdom, you retain any mandatory rights available to you under applicable law.
24. Contact
If you have any questions about a hire or these terms, please contact:
Drover Cycles (Hay on Wye) Ltd
Forest Road
Hay-on-Wye
Herefordshire
HR3 5DS
Telephone: 01497 822419
Email: info@drovercycles.co.uk