I want to go on a bike ride - but I haven't got a bike

Edinburgh's a great city for cycling. But what if you're new in town - or here on a visit - and don't have access to a bike? Fortunately, there are several options open to you.

If you're only in Edinburgh for a short while, you can hire a bike by the day, week or month. A single day's rental is quite pricey - typically £12 to £15 - but the cost drops to around £10 per day if you take the bike for a week or more. The price will include a lock, pump and repair kit, and sometimes a helmet. But you'll probably be charged extra for a pannier or saddle bag.

Edinburgh is a great cycling city. Here, cyclists climb the hill behind Arthur's Seat.

If you want to hire a bike for a particular event - to join one of the many organised bike rides around the city, for instance - be sure to pick it up well in advance. You'll need time to have it adjusted and to get used to riding it. I've also heard of people who've booked a hire bike but found it wasn't ready when they came to collect it - perhaps because the previous renter had returned it late. So it's a good idea to allow some extra time.

Where to rent

Edinburgh's largest bicycle hire outlet is Biketrax (11-13 Lochrin Place; 0131 228 6633). They have a wide range of machines available, mainly 21- and 24-speed mountain bikes and city bikes (hybrids). They also rent out Brompton folding bikes. Their mountain bikes have full suspension, and all models are equipped with a padded saddle.

Cycle Scotland (29 Blackfriars Street; 0131 556 5560) also offer a good choice of mountain bikes and hybrids, as well as road bikes and even tandems. They will deliver and collect to/from your hotel, and will suggest itineraries for a tour of the city or nearby countryside. Group discounts are available.

Another useful option is the Leith Cycle Company (branches at 276 Leith Walk [0131 467 7775] and 1 Cadzow Place [0131 652 1760]). This friendly shop offers a selection of touring hybrids, all equipped with mudguards and pannier racks, with prices starting at £7 for half a day. For those who fancy going off-road, front-suspension cross-country mountain bikes with disc brakes are available. All hires include a helmet, a copy of the Spokes Edinburgh cycle map, repair kit, lock and pump. The team at Leith Cycle Company are always happy to give advice on where to go and how to get there. Guides can be provided if you require them.

Buying second-hand

If you want a bicycle for more than a couple of weeks, buying second-hand will often work out cheaper than renting. But you'll need to make sure the machine is in good condition, and that it won't let you down when you're on a ride out of town. If you don't feel competent to check the bike's road-worthiness yourself, buy from a cycle shop rather than a private seller. That way, the bike will come with a guarantee - usually three months - and will have had at least a basic safety check.

Edinburgh's leading second-hand bike shop is Eastside Bikes (16 Montrose Terrace, 0131 466 1740). It usually has a selection of road bikes, mountain bikes and hybrids in stock, but if you don't see what you want, it's worth discussing your needs with the owners. They'll go out of their way to source a particular model, and will carefully restore it if necessary. The shop also offers a full repair service.

A bike will get you to the countryside around Edinburgh quickly and easily.

Other bike retailers sometimes have used machines for sale, but, not surprisingly, most prefer to concentrate on selling new models. Cycle Scotland (see above) is a good place to look for a bargain, as they regularly sell off their old rental bikes.

Another possibility would be to pick up a second-hand cycle at the Bike Station (250 Causewayside; 0131 668 1996). This is a community project which accepts donations of old bikes and refurbishes them for the benefit of the long-term unemployed and other disadvantaged groups. They also sell refurbished bikes to the general public as a means of raising funds.

The Bike Station often has bikes for sale for under £50. Even if you only use it for a couple of weeks, that will still work out cheaper than renting. And when you've finished with it, you can donate it back to them. All their bikes are road-worthy and guaranteed. The only drawback is their limited opening hours: Saturdays, 10.30 to 16.30 for the sale of adult bikes, Fridays 14.00 to 16.00 for kids' models.

Private sellers

If you can't find a suitable model at the outlets mentioned here, your other option is to buy from a private seller. Look for advertisements in the press or on notice boards in community centres, cafes, supermarkets and the like. Or check some of the many web sites that advertise second-hand goods, such as Loot or VivaStreet. Ebay is another possibility, but do be cautious about bidding for a bike without seeing it.

If you do buy second-hand from a private seller, be sure to satisfy yourself as to its road-worthiness. If necessary, pay a bike shop to give it a service before you set out on a long ride. And remember to budget for any essential accessories. A good-quality new cycle helmet could cost almost as much as a cheap second-hand bike.

Whether you rent or buy, you'll find a bike is a great asset in Edinburgh. It's the fastest and most economical form of transport within the city and an excellent way to explore the nearby countryside. You'll also be able to join some of the many organised rides that are listed on this site. Happy pedalling.