Situated between two lakes, surrounded by gorgeous countryside, and featuring a network of interconnected trails and scenic byroads, Penticton and region is perhaps best explored by bicycle.
We're talking the Kettle Valley Railway (KVR) Trail, which weaves its bike-friendly web throughout the neighbouring hills and benches. And gorgeous Eastside Road, hugging the curves of Skaha Lake.
Maybe the Lake to Lake Bike Route, a straight shot through the centre of town that ends with sandy beaches on either end. Or the Penticton Channel Path, a hard-packed corridor alongside a river filled with revelers and their colourful floaties.
Fortunately for those who don't have their own bike, the city's loaded with shops that'll rent everything it takes to get out there and have fun. Bikes, electric bikes, helmets and more – all available by the hour or by the day.
Let's check them out, in alphabetical order.
Epic Cycling
950 Lakeshore Dr. West
Tel: 604-626-5167
Website
Hours: 9 AM to 5 PM every day, April thru Oct.
Situated directly across from Okanagan Beach in a mobile facility at the Kettle Valley Beach Resort is Epic Cycling, a small but fully stocked rental-only cycling shop. Epic's fleet includes trail bikes and e-bikes that can handle everything from path to pavement. All models hail from premier traditional bike manufacturers like Trek and Norco.
Freedom Bike Shop
533 Main St.
Tel: 250-493-0686
Website
Hours: 10 AM to 5 PM Tue to Sat, year-round except January.
One of the valley's most comprehensive retail bike stores, Freedom Bike Shop also does rentals.
"We rent full suspension e-bikes, Kettle Valley cruiser e-bikes, hardtail mountain bikes, high-performance full suspension bikes, road bikes and more," says Freedom shop manager Josh Schulman.
Hoodoo Adventures
Unit #84 – 52 Front St.
Tel: 250-492-3888
Website
Hours: 9 AM to 7 PM Mon to Thu, 9 AM to 6 PM Fri to Sun, bike rentals available March thru Nov.
Hoodoo Adventures has been a local adventuring hub for almost two decades. A big part of its popularity is its bike rental program. Not only does it rent mountain bikes and e-bikes, it also runs a comprehensive shuttle and tour program to take customers all over the Okanagan and beyond. And now Hoodoo has moved to a new downtown home at the back side of Front Street.
Pedego Electric Bikes Penticton
37 Backstreet Blvd.
Tel: 250-809-4786
Website
Hours: 9 AM to 5 PM seven days a week, year-round.
California-based Pedego Electric Bikes has been cranking out e-bikes since 2008. And if you want to buy or rent one locally, your only option is Pedego Electric Bikes Penticton. The little shop tucked away downtown on Backstreet Boulevard is stocked with rentable Pedego models best suited to street and mild off-road cruising and another brand called Urtopia.
Penticton Bike Rentals
1070 Lakeshore Drive
Tel: 250-462-1151
Website
Hours: 9 AM to 9 PM seven days a week, June thru Sept.
Directly across the street from the SS Sicamous sternwheeler is Penticton Bike Rentals. The spacious shop rents all kinds of cycling gear, including Rad Power e-bikes, Trek trail bikes, e-scooters, kids' saddles and trailers, and even four-person pedal carts.
Penticton E-Kruise
1050 Eckhardt Ave. W.
Tel: 778-721-4365
Website
Hours: 10 AM to 6 PM seven days a week, June thru Sept.
Situated adjacent to the Balcomo Hotel and accessed off Comox Street, Penticton E-Kruise is all about e-bike rentals – specifically models from NCM and Batch Bicycles. The mobile facility offers a variety of machines geared primarily for hard-packed trails like the KVR and around-town cruising.
Rover Bike Shop
600 Martin St.
Tel: 877-694-3768
Website
Hours: 10 AM to 6 PM seven days a week, year-round.
Offering sales, service and rentals, Rover Bike Shop resides in the 600 block of Martin Street, conveniently bordering the Lake to Lake Bike Route. Its rental fleet includes a premium house-brand e-bike called "Valley of Heaven" designed by store owner Brandon McLeod and two models of "Favorite" e-bikes.
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