Peer-to-Peer Marketplace
Cyclesite is a classified advertising platform. All shipping and delivery arrangements are made directly between buyers and sellers. Cyclesite does not handle, ship, or deliver any items.
1. How Delivery Works
Cyclesite connects buyers and sellers. When a sale is agreed, the buyer and seller arrange collection or delivery between themselves. We recommend the following:
1.1 Collection (Recommended)
We recommend in-person collection as the safest method for both parties:
- Meet in a public place — A bike shop, police station, or busy public area is ideal
- Inspect the bike in person — Check the condition matches the listing description and photos
- Test ride — Where possible, test the bike before completing payment
- Verify the frame number — Match it to the listing and BikeCheck report
- Bring someone with you — For personal safety, especially for high-value bikes
1.2 Shipping by Seller
If the seller offers shipping, the following guidance applies:
- Packaging — Bikes should be professionally packed in a bike box with adequate protection for the frame, wheels, and components
- Carrier selection — Use a reputable courier with tracking and appropriate insurance cover for the bike's value
- Insurance — Ensure the shipment is insured for the full agreed sale price
- Tracking — The seller should provide a tracking number to the buyer before dispatch
- Timescale — Agree a delivery timescale before payment. Most UK deliveries arrive within 3–7 working days
E-Bike Shipping — Not Available
Electric bikes cannot be shipped through Cyclesite. UK couriers either prohibit lithium-ion batteries entirely or refuse to carry them without dangerous-goods paperwork that individual sellers can't realistically provide. E-bike sales are therefore collection-only: the buyer must collect the bike in person from the seller's address. See our Listing Terms Section 5A for full e-bike safety requirements.
2. Responsibilities
2.1 Seller Responsibilities
- Accurate description — The bike must match the listing description and photos
- Safe packaging — If shipping, pack the bike securely to prevent transit damage
- Timely dispatch — Ship within the agreed timescale
- Provide tracking — Share tracking information with the buyer
- Insurance — Ensure adequate insurance for the value of the item
- Risk in transit — Where the seller is a trader, Consumer Rights Act 2015 s.29 applies: risk stays with the seller until the bike is in the buyer’s physical possession. For private sales, the default under Sale of Goods Act 1979 s.20 is that risk passes on delivery unless the parties agree otherwise.
2.2 Buyer Responsibilities
- Inspect on receipt — Check the bike immediately upon delivery and document any damage with photographs
- Report damage promptly — Notify the seller and carrier of any transit damage within 48 hours
- Provide accurate delivery details — Ensure the delivery address and contact details are correct
- Be available for delivery — Arrange to be present or have someone available to receive the bike
2.3 Cyclesite’s Role
For classified sales outside Buyer Protection, Cyclesite does not:
- Arrange, manage, or provide shipping services
- Guarantee delivery timescales, condition on arrival, or carrier performance
- Accept liability for loss or damage during transit
- Store, handle, or inspect bikes at any point
For Buyer Protection transactions, we offer integrated carriers (see Section 5) and a dispute process for transit issues via the Purchase Terms.
3. UK-Only Marketplace
Cyclesite is a UK marketplace. Listings, buyers, and sellers are expected to be based in the United Kingdom. We do not facilitate international transactions.
If a buyer and seller agree to an international shipment, this is entirely at their own risk. Additional considerations include:
- Customs duties and import taxes (buyer's responsibility)
- International shipping insurance and carrier restrictions
- E-bike battery regulations may differ by country and carrier
- Consumer protection law may not apply to cross-border transactions in the same way
4. Transit Damage & Disputes
If a bike arrives damaged, the buyer should:
- Photograph the damage — Including the packaging, shipping labels, and the bike itself
- Do not dispose of packaging — The carrier may need to inspect it for an insurance claim
- Contact the seller — Notify them immediately with photographs and a description of the damage
- Contact the carrier — File a damage claim with the courier service
- Record everything — Keep all correspondence, photos, and claim references
For Buyer Protection transactions, raise a dispute through the platform first (see Purchase Terms Section 6). For classified sales outside Buyer Protection, damage claims are between the buyer, seller and carrier directly.
5. Integrated Carriers
For Buyer Protection transactions, sellers can select from the following integrated UK carriers at checkout:
- Paisley Freight — UK courier network covering mainland UK with bike-specific packaging options
- Parcel2Go — Multi-carrier consolidator; rates and SLAs vary by carrier chosen
- Bike Services UK — Specialist bike courier with door-to-door collection and delivery
Carrier terms, timescales, and insurance limits are set by the carrier. For classified sales outside Buyer Protection, buyers and sellers are free to use any carrier they agree on — we do not endorse any specific service.
Always check maximum parcel dimensions, weight limits, and insurance coverage before booking.
6. Frequently Asked Questions
Does Cyclesite offer shipping?
No. Cyclesite is a classified advertising platform. Shipping is arranged directly between buyers and sellers.
Who pays for shipping?
This is agreed between the buyer and seller. Many sellers offer free collection, with shipping available at the buyer's expense.
What if the bike doesn't arrive?
Contact the seller and the carrier. If the item was shipped with tracking and insurance, file a claim with the carrier. If you paid by credit card (over £100), you may have Section 75 protection. For debit card payments, consider a chargeback claim with your bank.
Can I return a bike after delivery?
For trade seller purchases, you have a 14-day right to cancel under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 (unless you collected in person). For private sales, there is no automatic right to return — this is a matter for agreement between buyer and seller.