Here are some common questions about the Bairns Bike Library. If you have any other questions please get in touch. Contact us through email at info@langtouncycles.org.uk or by phone on 01592 328920.
How much does it cost?
There is a deposit of £50 per child payable to access the Bairns Bike Library.
Upon collection, you can request a lock, lights and a helmet if you need them. These are 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.
Failure to return the lock and lights will result in a charge to cover the cost of replacements.
If the deposit is a barrier to your family participating in the Bairns Bike Library please get in touch with the team directly to discuss other options.
Can anyone access this service?
The Bairns Bike Library is available to any child of primary age in Fife and is operated on a first come, first served basis. As long as there is a suitable bike available for reservation on our booking site, anyone in Fife can access the service.
How do I reserve a bike?
To reserve a bike, please book a bike on our Bairns Bike Library platform on HubTiger:
When you make a booking you will be able to reserve a bike and choose a collection day and time from the available options.
Can I reserve more than one bike?
Yes!
Providing that we have bikes available, you can reserve one bike for each of your children. A £50 deposit will be required for each bike.
What bike sizes are available?
We aim to have at least one bike of each size available every week, until all bikes of that size are on loan.
Bike sizes will include:
- Kids Bikes with 14”, 16”, 18” and 20” wheel sizes (approx. P1 – P5 ages)
- Junior Bikes with 24” wheels and Extra Small sized 26” and/or 27.5” wheeled bikes (approx. P6 – P7 ages)
Bikes are for primary school aged children only (4 to 12 years old).
How long can I borrow a bike for?
Standard bike loans are 6 months each. However, if your child outgrows the bike before then, you can return the bike and borrow the next size up (subject to availability).
We hope to continue to offer bikes through the Bairns Bike Library beyond the initial 6 month loan period, subject to funding. If you want to borrow the bike for another 6 months after the initial loan period please let us know. We will require the bike to be returned after the initial loan period to be checked and serviced, before being re-issued.
What about service and repairs?
We ask that all bikes are returned to us after 6 months for a free service. We will also replace any general wear and tear items free of charge.
Any puncture repairs are free of charge. If there are more significant repairs are needed due to misuse or negligence we may need to charge for them.
What if the bike is stolen, lost or damaged beyond repair?
Borrowers have the responsibility of ensuring the bike is kept secure when not in use and used responsibly. If it is stolen, lost or you can’t otherwise return it in reasonable working condition at the end of the 6 month loan period, we will charge for the full cost of replacement up to a maximum of £500.
Some household contents insurance policies will cover the cost of stolen or damaged bikes – it is up to the borrower to ensure they have cover for this if necessary.
What if the bike I want is not available?
Bikes are added to the inventory regularly 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 and put back into the system.
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.
Can I borrow a bike in person from the Active Travel Hub?
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, which you can do in person during opening hours.
Can I borrow a bike without registering/signing up?
Customers must sign up online and agree to our Terms and Conditions in order to access bikes through the Bairns Bike Library. This is so we can keep track of who has our bikes, how many bikes are out and when they are due back in, etc.
Why do you need my personal details?
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 to collect your £50 deposit, and 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.
What proof of ID do I need?
We will need to see one current photographic ID (for example a passport or driving license) along with two recent proofs of address dated within two months of the date of collection (such as bank statement, Council Tax bill, credit card bill or other utility bill) – digital versions of these are acceptable.
Only the person who made the booking can collect the bikes.
You will not be able to collect bikes if you fail to provide ID and proof of address.
Can I buy a bike for my child?
We currently do not sell bikes for primary aged children, as they are provided free of charge through our Bairns 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 go to high school.
For high school aged children we have a regular turnover of fully refurbished and guaranteed bikes available for sale in store.
What if I pick the wrong size?
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.
We highly recommend coming in store with the child to try bikes for size and get our advice if you have any doubt about what size to pick.
What if my child doesn’t like the bike I reserved?
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.
How do I return a bike?
When you reserve a bike, your default return date will be in 6 months. Bikes can either be returned on those dates or at any other time during our opening hours before then.
Customers can return their bike at any point, and they can choose to exchange it for the next size up if they wish, by arranging an appointment at the Active Travel Hub by emailing info@langtouncycles.org.uk.
What if I am unable to return the bike on its due date?
If you are unable to return the bike on its due date, please contact us as soon as you can to let us know. Failure to do so may result in a weekly charge of £10 for each week the bike is overdue.