Belfast City Centre Cycles, Northern Ireland, United KingdomI often like to rent bikes when I travel hence this "Bike Blog". In Belfast I was told online that there were bike rental stations across the city. However when I tried to use the terminals they were dead, the touch screens dead, nothing when I try to put my credit card in.
I tried to register on their website too and it did nothing. Tourist information office suggested I goto Norm's Bikes in Smithfields Market.
When I arrived at Norm's Bikes he said he had not rented in three years and to goto Tandem Cycles a few streets away. This was turning into a wild goose chase wasting the afternoon.
At the second bike store the attendant Richard was very helpful. Yes they did in fact rent bikes and were the only place since the rental terminals were all garbage and did not work. It cost 15 pounds to rent and came with helmet and lock.
First I went west along Shankill Road. I had seen the start of the murals this morning in the Shankill Road Estate. However this was leading me too far out and I was seeing more murals on the side streets so detoured south.
This led me to the Peace Wall, a barrier similar to the Berlin Wall separating both sides of the city. I went north to the end of the wall where there was an old checkpoint border type crossing.
I biked to the south end and there was another former checkpoint crossing.
Going west again there were more murals along the way. I was making my way to the Bobby Sands mural.
A short distance back is the Solidarity Wall in solidarity with all oppression across the world.
I was now back in the city centre and went past City Hall and the Opera House.
Just south of the Opera House are two old drinking saloons with old Victorian style tilework. I could only look from the outside due to my bike
Heading south of the centre I made my way to Shaftesbury Square, then to Queen's University and the university quarter. Originally this is where I booked and apartment but it would have been too much walking and I found a much better one on the river at the same price.
I cut back east on University Ave to get to the Gasworks district before heading north to the Albert Clock by my hotel. I made a pit stop in the hotel to use the bathroom and leave one battery on charge.
Next I crossed the River Lagan footbridge my apartment overlooks to head to the Titanic Quarter. Aside from the museum which I wasn't going to go in it was mostly old dock yards and historic ships.
Crossing the river back I made my way to Belfast Cathedral and North Street which had a lot of graffiti street art.
It is a shame none of the bike rental stations, one which was just outside of my apartment, were working. However Belfast City Bike rentals on Queen and College Streets provides excellent friendly service
See Vlog (12 mins) - https://youtu.be/P270rEQe9_U
2025-05-22