Whakatāne E-Bike Library Logo header image

Whakatāne E-Bike Library

Now's a great time to increase your physical and mental health, decrease your carbon footprint and save money. We've put together a package so you can bike anywhere without arriving covered in sweat or carrying bulky items and a few kids! It will also save you the worry of finding a car park in town.

Our E-Bike Library, funded by Waka Kotahi (NZ Transport Agency) and open to Whakatāne District residents, is your opportunity to try an electric bike and discover a new lifestyle. Carrying bulky items is also easy and fun with the different types of cargo style electric bikes on offer.

See below for the full list of bikes. You can borrow cargo-style bikes for carrying kids, groceries and anything else in your busy lifestyle, as well as normal electric bikes for commuting and errands. The bikes come fitted with accessories such as child seats, panniers, lights and locks so that you’re all set to go.

We can guide you to find a bike that suits your needs, and let you know which bikes are available at any point in time. Bikes are available to borrow for 21 days, with just a donation of $100 to Cycling Without Age EBOP  - our community partner that operates the scheme.

The awesome teams at Whakatāne Cycle Centre and Full Cycle Bikes will also give you $100 off a future e-bike purchase just for borrowing a bike from the Whakatāne E-Bike Library.

Jump to a section: How to borrow a bike from usOur expectations | Whakatāne E-bike Library Loan Enquiry | Our Bikes | Whakatāne E-Bike Library Partners

 How to borrow a bike from us

  1. Scroll down the page to have a look at the different types of bikes available in our fleet.
  2. Pick a bike that you’d like to borrow.
  3. Fill in our loan enquiry form below.
  4. Our team will be in touch to book in a loan for you as soon as possible!

For general enquiries regarding the Whakatāne E-Bike Library, please email richard.hamer@whakatane.govt.nz

 Our expectations

We're expecting the Whakatāne E-Bike Library will be a very popular programme within our community, and demand will be high. Please bear with us if you make an application, but don’t get a response immediately.  Many of the people involved are volunteers.

As we have a range of types and styles of e-bikes, some may be available much quicker than others. We will prioritise the scheme for people who will be using the bikes in urban settings, on a regular basis and for daily errands. The bikes are not aimed at people who want to use them just once or twice for out of town rides or for mountain biking.

We really do look forward to getting you on a set of electric wheels as soon as we can!

 Whakatāne E-bike Library Loan Enquiry

Please note: We always treat your private information with respect. While your details will be shared with Cycling Without Age to facilitate the loan process, and Waka Kotahi for evaluation purposes, they will not be used to market to you nor will they be shared with any other parties. This form should take about five minutes to complete.

For example commuting, child-carrying, errands, all-round car replacement, or any other considerations (are you petite or very tall? Our bikes mostly suit heights between 150-190cm).

 Our Bikes

Picture of Yuba Supercargo

Yuba Supercargo
Designed for active families and small businesses.

🛈 Read more about the Yuba Supercargo

Designed for active families and small businesses alike, the Yuba Supercargo fits nearly every rider thanks to a low step-through frame with an adjustable stem and seat post.

The extra-low front cargo rack, lightweight frame and double-cable steering give you confidence and control, no matter who – or what – you’re carrying around.

Check out the video below to see the Yuba Supercargo in action. Note features and model may differ.

Wattwheels eTrike

Wattwheels eTrike
Supports people with mobility needs.

🛈 Read more about the Wattwheels eTrike

A three-wheeled e-bike with an ultra low step through frame and low centre of gravity. Supports people with mobility needs. Not meant to carry children. The Wattwheels XT model comes with a mid-drive motor capable of in excess of 80km on a charge with plenty of torque and fat tyres for a more comfortable ride.

This is one size fits all!

Check out the video below to see the Wattwheels eTrike in action. Note features and model may differ.

Yuba Spicy Curry

Yuba Spicy Curry
Can be set up for cargo or kids.

🛈 Read more about the Yuba Spicy Curry

Cargo bikes are great for several reasons, from giving you an option to ride a bike with your kids to help bring materials you need for work without resorting to a car. The Yuba Spicy Curry does both of these things and more.

This feature-heavy cargo bike frame weighs just 63 pounds, a lighter frame for a cargo bike due to its premium 6061-T6 construction.

We can set this up for cargo or kids, just let us know in advance.

This is one size fits all!

Check out the video below to see the Yuba Spicy Curry in action. Note features and model may differ.

SINCH Mode 2

SINCH Mode 2
Great bike for on-road or off-road use.

🛈 Read more about the SINCH Mode 2

The Mode 2 is a great bike for on-road or off-road use whether it’s riding around town or exploring the cycle trails of Aotearoa.

The powerful Shimano intuitive mid-drive motor provides plenty of assistance to let you tackle those longer rides and bigger hills.

We have a women's sized medium and men's sized large available.

Check out the video below to see the SINCH Mode 2 in action. Note features and model may differ.

Merida Espresso CC 400SE EQ

Merida Espresso CC 400SE EQ
Great for forest tracks and trails while still retaining the urban practicality.

🛈 Read more about the Merida Espresso

With a mix of value and performance, the Merida Espresso CC 400SE EQ pairs a semi-integrated 504 Wh battery, trekking dedicated Shimano E6100 drive unit and rugged, off-road-ready rubber. That means it's able to take trips on forest tracks and trails while still retaining the urban practicality you expect from a convenient, low step-through frame design.

These bikes can be provided with both easily interchangeable child seats or double panniers.

We have one small and one medium available.

Merida eBig Tour 600 EQ

Merida eBig Tour 600 EQ
A reliable day-to-day companion for riding to work or off the beaten track.

🛈 Read more about the Merida eBig Tour

It's a reliable day-to-day companion for riding to work that’s equally happy taking you on big adventures off the beaten track, thanks to a winning combination of mountain bike inspired geometry with low step-through frame practicality.

Thanks to chunky tyres and a Suntour suspension fork, it’s also more than capable of taking detours into the dirt, whether you want to liven up your everyday riding or head off on a bigger adventure.

 Whakatāne E-Bike Library Partners

Active Whakatāne Logo Whakatāne District Council Logo Road Safety Logo Whakatane Cycle Centre Logo Full Cycle Bikes Whakatane Logo Cycling Without Age Eastern Bay of Plenty Logo Waka Kotahi Logo Trust Horizon Logo