Top 5 best bicycle rentals in Pretoria

Pretoria rewards anyone willing to cover ground on two wheels. The jacaranda-lined streets around the university, the terraced gardens below the Union Buildings, the quiet approach road up to the Voortrekker Monument — none of it feels far when you're pedalling instead of waiting for a taxi. You'll pass through neighbourhoods most tour buses skip, stop wherever a view catches your eye, and still make it across town before lunch.

What makes Pretoria particularly good for this is its layout: a fairly flat, grid-based city centre with the main sights bunched within a few kilometres of each other. Traffic here moves calmer than in Johannesburg, the climate stays mild for most of the year, and gentle hills give you scenery without exhausting you. A **bicycle rental in Pretoria** turns what would be a series of taxi rides into one continuous, unhurried route — and it costs a fraction of the price.

Top 10 things to see in Pretoria by bike

1. Union Buildings — the iconic seat of government, with terraced gardens and a Nelson Mandela statue; a flat, scenic ride from most central guesthouses.
2. Voortrekker Monument — a granite monument with panoramic views over the city, reached via a quiet approach road popular with cyclists.
3. Freedom Park — a hilltop heritage site facing the Voortrekker Monument, with sweeping views and a paved approach road.
4. Pretoria National Botanical Garden — a large green space with mapped paths, ideal for an easy loop away from traffic.
5. Church Square — the historic city-centre square with the Paul Kruger statue, a natural starting or ending point for a downtown ride.
6. Melrose House — a Victorian-era house museum on a tree-lined street, an easy add-on to a city-centre route.
7. Fountains Valley Resort (Groenkloof) — a riverside park at the edge of the city with shaded roads and picnic spots.
8. University of Pretoria (Hatfield campus) — leafy student-area streets, especially scenic when the jacarandas bloom in October.
9. Pretoria Zoo — the National Zoological Garden, a well-known landmark on the northern edge of downtown.
10. Loftus Versfeld Stadium area — the rugby-famous stadium and its surrounding streets and cafes, a good stop on an eastern suburbs loop.

What do you need to rent a bicycle in Pretoria?

Renting a bicycle in South Africa is refreshingly simple — no licence, no minimum age, and no international driving permit required. Most operators will still ask for a small deposit, usually held on a credit card in your name, and some form of ID to match it. That's it: pick your bike and go.

How much does it cost to rent a bicycle in Pretoria?

Expect to pay around 55–70 ZAR per day during low season and 90–130 ZAR per day in high season. Premium models run higher, typically 150–220 ZAR per day.

• Prices dip in the cooler, drier months of June to August.
• Prices climb in October, when jacaranda season draws extra visitors, and again over the December–January summer holidays.

When to book a rental bicycle in Pretoria?

High season runs through October and again over December and January, when demand — and prices — peak alongside the jacaranda bloom and the summer holidays. Low season falls between June and August, when the city is cooler and drier and rates are at their most affordable. If you're travelling in October or over the holidays, book your **bicycle rental in Pretoria** a little ahead of time to lock in the better rates.

Local traffic rules in Pretoria

South Africa drives on the left, so keep to the left-hand side of the road and give way to traffic accordingly. Helmets aren't legally required for cyclists, but they're a sensible habit on shared roads. Urban speed limits sit at 60 km/h, so cars will be moving briskly around you — stay alert at intersections, many of which are four-way stops that work on a first-arrived, first-to-go basis. Drink-driving is taken seriously here, with a blood alcohol limit of 0.05 g/100 ml and regular roadblocks, so the roads around you are generally well policed.

Types of bikes available

On our website you can rent the following types of bicycles: classic bikes, tandems, road bikes, carbon, cyclocross, touring, trekking, hybrid, mountain bikes (MTB), cruisers, comfort, city, commuter, urban, Dutch bikes, lady, bike for kids, folding, tricycles with three wheels, bikes with basket, with gears, with suspension, with rear rack, fat-tire bikes, electric bicycles.

Models of bicycles available

On our website you can hire a bike of the following manufacturers: Avanti, Batavus, Bianchi, Trek, Cannondale, Cube, Diamant, Felt, Scott, Gazelle, Genesis, Giant, GT Bicycles, Ideal, K2, Diamondback, Schwinn, Jamis, Raleigh, Kona, Kross, Merida, Mongoose, Next, Orbea, Órbita, Murray, Roadmaster, Rocky, Miele, Rover, Shimano, Vélo, Specialized.

Which insurance is provided with my rental bicycle?

Bicycle rentals typically come with basic cover for third-party damage, but theft and damage terms vary from one provider to another. Some include simple loss or damage protection in the price, while others cover it through your deposit; always check the exact terms on the booking page before you confirm.

Extra services available

When you make a reservation of a bicycle you also can order the following extra services and equipment: helmet, GPS navigation, clip pedals, side cases, rear rack, basket, light, gloves, speedometer, individual guide or tour, full insurance, one-way rental, or delivery to the address of your choice.

Why use BikesBooking.com?

• Find the best deals for bicycle hire in the city;
• Compare prices of bicycle rental companies;
• Read reviews of previous customers;
• Reserve a bicycle online with the Best Price Guarantee!

Most of our local bicycle rentals have many years of experience and will provide you with a well-kept bike, lock, basket and friendly service. The number of companies we work with is increasing every day, so if you want to rent a bicycle, just use the search form at the top of the page. Have a nice trip!