Mobile bike wash and degrease service

Clean and lube bikes at cyclists' homes, workplaces and club rides with a compact van or ute kit.

Startup costA$500 to A$2.5k

Monthly revenueA$400 to A$2.5k

Time needed6+ h/week

First incomeWeeks

A$500-2.5k
Side hustle
Out and about

Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.

What it is

A mobile service that washes, degreases and lubricates bikes at the customer's place or at cycling meet-ups, using a portable water supply and bike-safe products.

Your first three steps

Practise on friends' and club members' bikes, then set a price list after checking what local bike shops and detailers charge
Set up a portable kit (water tank, pump, brushes, stand, bike-safe cleaners) and a way to capture and dispose of dirty water properly
Contact local cycling clubs, bike-to-work workplaces and coffee-stop ride groups to offer a first wash day at an intro price

Who pays

Road and mountain bike riders, commuters, cycling clubs, and workplaces with bike-to-work staff.

How it makes money

Fixed price per bike for a standard wash, with extras for a full drivetrain degrease, chain replacement labour or protective coating. Club or workplace days add several bikes per visit.

Skills that help

Knowing how bike parts fit together
Careful, tidy hands-on work
Friendly customer service
Booking and route planning

Watch out for

Public liability insurance, ideally covering work on customers' bikes and property
Wastewater and degreaser rules vary by council and state, so check where you can wash and how to dispose of runoff
Council or parking rules for trading from public places or working at events
Damaging components or carbon parts by mistake, so learn what not to spray and be clear on what you will and will not do
An ABN is needed, and GST registration applies once turnover passes the threshold

Deep research report · Australia

Everything you need to start: mobile bike wash and degrease

Researched with live web search for Australia: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.

Startup costs with real prices
Licences, registration and rules
Pricing: what others charge
Break-even example
Finding your first customers
30-day launch plan
Risks and how to reduce them

Ready in about 2 minutes · one-off payment, tax included

See a full sample report

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start a mobile bike wash business?

Startup costs are estimates, typically around $500 to $2,500, depending on your water supply, products and vehicle kit. Monthly revenue is typically around $400 to $2,500, depending on how many bikes you clean and where you work.

What rules should I check for a mobile bike wash in Australia?

Check public liability insurance covering customers' bikes and property, and wastewater and degreaser rules, which vary by council and state. Also check council or parking rules for trading in public places or at events, and note an ABN is needed, with GST once turnover passes the threshold.

What skills and time do I need to wash bikes for a living?

You need to know how bike parts fit together, work carefully and tidily, offer friendly customer service, and handle bookings and route planning. Learn what not to spray on components. Expect typically at least around 6 hours a week.