Cycling is somewhat of a niche activity in Barbados, given its congested, narrow or pot-holed roads, but in the less populated northern area and along the East Coast, cycling can be exhilarating. No wonder e-biking is increasing in popularity among tourists.

Two excellent companies, both based in The Gap, run cultural cycling tours:

• Bike Caribbean, operated by the engaging Randy Licorish, offers bike rental (road, hybrid and e-bike, for two days or more) and tailor-made tours (2hr tour US$65–95pp), as well as an all-day round-the-island adventure (US$200pp). Rates includes all the relevant safety gear plus a repair kit.1 246 2692811.
• E-bike Island Adventures, provides a tour of St John (2.5hr tour from US$125pp), which starts at St John’s Church, passes PEG Farm, and takes in some attractive rural scenery. 1 246 8364916.

A third company is based on the East Coast:

• Gears246 offers e-bike rentals (approx US$200/week), and numerous e-bike tours, including some off-road cycling, and an early-morning ride that involves breakfast in Codrington College (1hr15min–2hr30min; US$38–78/pp). Based in Fortescue, it allows you to explore the flatter coastal areas of St Philip, or more challenging, hillier St John. 1 246 2502277.

Serious mountain-bike enthusiasts should bring their own bikes, but get in touch with Barbados Mountain Bike Club, since trails are not really marked out.