Mobile bike wash and degrease
Drive to cyclists' homes, clubs and events to clean and degrease bikes on the spot.
- C$500-3k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.
What it is
A mobile service that washes frames, degreases and re-lubes drivetrains, and gives bikes a quick check. You work from a small van or car with buckets, brushes, bike-safe cleaners and a stand.
Your first three steps
- Practise on friends' bikes to set a service menu, timing and prices, and check what local bike shops charge for similar work
- Put together a kit (stand, brushes, biodegradable degreaser, water containers) and get commercial general liability insurance
- Contact local cycling clubs, bike shops and spring bike events to offer a first-wash discount and ask for reviews
Who pays
Road and mountain bikers, commuters, cycling clubs, bike shops that don't have time to clean, and race or event organizers.
How it makes money
Fixed price per bike, with add-ons such as drivetrain deep clean, re-lube and polish. Package deals for clubs, families and multi-bike households bring repeat work.
Skills that help
- Knowing how bikes are put together
- Careful, detail-focused cleaning
- Friendly customer service
- Scheduling and route planning
Watch out for
- Commercial general liability insurance, and check whether your policy covers customers' bikes in your care
- Rules on wastewater and degreaser runoff; check your municipality before washing on streets or driveways
- Whether your municipality requires a business licence for mobile services
- Strong seasonality in most of Canada; plan for winter with indoor work, e-bike or fat bike customers, or a side income
- Register for GST/HST once revenue passes the small supplier threshold
Deep research report · Canada
Everything you need to start: mobile bike wash and degrease
Researched with live web search for Canada: 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
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a mobile bike wash business?
Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $500 to $3,000, depending on your vehicle setup, bike stand, cleaning supplies and insurance. Monthly revenue is estimated at roughly $400 to $3,000, depending on how many bikes you clean.
What rules should I check before washing bikes on location in Canada?
Check rules on wastewater and degreaser runoff with your municipality before washing on streets or driveways, and whether it requires a business licence for mobile services. Also check commercial liability insurance covering customers' bikes, and GST/HST registration once revenue passes the small supplier threshold.
Can a mobile bike wash work year-round in Canada?
Seasonality is strong in most of Canada, so plan for winter. Options include indoor work, e-bike or fat bike customers, or a side income. The estimate suggests a minimum of about 6 hours per week.
Other ways to run this business
Similar cleaning ideas
Home window cleaning round
Clean windows for homeowners a few times a year and build a repeat route in your neighbourhood.
- C$400-3k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Evening office cleaning contracts
Clean small offices, clinics and studios after hours on a regular contract, starting on your own.
- C$500-3k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Rental turnover and move-out cleaning
Clean rentals between tenants for landlords, property managers and Airbnb hosts.
- C$500-2.5k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Office and small business cleaning
Clean offices, clinics and small shops after hours on regular contracts.
- C$500-2.5k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Mobile leather sofa and car seat cleaning
Clean and condition leather sofas, chairs and car seats at customers' homes and workplaces.
- C$800-4k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Wash-and-fold laundry pickup and delivery
Collect dirty laundry from busy households, wash and fold it, and drop it back clean.
- C$500-4k
- Side hustle
- Out and about