Rome bike rent paths

Rome by bike · sharing · rental · paths · tours

Taking a tour of Rome by bike is a good idea. If you want to go up the seven hills, you need a bike with good gears or an e-bike.

Rome is currently painting bicycle lanes on many streets. That makes cycling in Rome more pleasant.

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Bike sharing

Bike sharing companies come and go. Uber is currently renting red e-bikes in Rome. But the big trend is the electric scooters and maybe the bikes will disappear entirely. The e-scooter companies have a wide variety of conditions and the prices are constantly changing. With some companies you are only allowed to drive in the center, other companies also cover the periphery. On the vehicles you will find a QR code with which you can find out the conditions and book.

Bike rental

Sharing is only worthwhile if you drive from A to B. If you want to keep a bike for a few hours, a day or more, you should rent it.

There are a few bike rentals in Rome. You can find all information on this at GetYourGuide. Most rental companies also offer tours.

Cycling in Rome

With its 7 hills and the many cobblestones, it is sometimes difficult to cycle in Rome. But if you don’t want to go up the hills, you can get around town on fairly flat paths.

There are some very nice bike routes in Rome, and you can get around the city center well too.

Bike paths

Rome Bike paths
Bike paths in Rome

If you want to go on your own, you should consider a drive through the center, along the Tiber or from Circus Maximus to the Appia Antica – however, you will find some cobblestones on these routes.

You will find flat stretches on the Tiber, the Tiber cycle path, in the city ​​center between Piazza del Popolo and Piazza Venezia, from the Colosseum to via Appia Antica, and in a northerly direction from Piazza del Popolo along Via Flaminia to the Tiber.

Tiber cycle path

Rome Bike paths on the Tiber banks
Tiber cycle path

The route along the banks of the Tiber is particularly beautiful and quiet. It goes almost continuously through the whole city. You only have to overcome the difference in altitude from the city to the banks of the Tiber and you can return to the top at many central point.

Villas and parks

Bike rental Rome Appia Antica
By bike on the Appia Antica

Trips through the Roman villas and parks are also very nice.

The Park of the Appia Antica and the Park of the Aqueducts are particularly interesting. On the traffic-calmed part of the Appia Antica from the tomb of Cecilia Metella you can cycle for many kilometers.

Downtown

For trips by bike in the center, you should choose routes away from the main roads. To the right and left of them you can drive through picturesque alleys. There are some beautiful pedestrian bridges for crossing the Tiber. To cross from the ghetto to Trastevere, use the bridges to the Tiber Island, further north Ponte Sisto and the Angel’s Bridge, further north Ponte della Musica at the Olympic Stadium and Ponte Milvio.

Road traffic

Roman drivers are generally very considerate of cyclists, and accidents are rare.

Cyclists are usually treated like pedestrians. You can usually drive through pedestrian zones and drive on sidewalks. Driving in the opposite direction through one-way streets is usually not punished, provided you drive on the edge and do not endanger other road users.

You cannot rely on other road users to follow the rules. Overtaking a car on the right at an intersection can be fatal because the driver may turn without blinking and certainly not look at cyclists driving straight ahead.

When crossing the lane on zebra crossings or at pedestrian traffic lights, you should not exceed walking speed.

Precautions

If you leave the bike somewhere, you should secure it well against theft. The lenders are usually not insured against theft and you have to compensate for any damage.

The lenders at the villas and on the Appia Antica require a credit card or ID to be deposited.

Rome’s surroundings

Have a special experience by bike in the environs of Rome! In the vicinity of Rome there are wonderful excursion destinations that can be reached by bike, be it the coast or the mountains.

When riding your bike on country roads, especially in the mountains, you should not be alone. Unfortunately, serious and fatal accidents occur time and again.

It is therefore better to book a guided tour. You are safer in the group, and the tour guide will, as far as possible, choose routes with little or no traffic.

Our favorite tracks

The park of the Appia Antica and the associated park of the aqueducts are especially nice for cycling trips. In these regional parks there are very beautiful paths without traffic in the midst of ancient remains.

Unfortunately, the first piece from the Baths of Caracalla to the catacombs is on cobblestones. If you turn left at the height of the catacombs of the Appia Antica, you can reach the park of the Caffarella which contains good cycling paths. Also on the site of the catacombs the roads are asphalted. After the tomb of Cecilia Metella the asphalt on the Appia Antica is interrupted again and again by stone slabs of the type ancient Roman road. They serve to deter cars before the passage. On the Appia Antica you can ride many kilometers towards Ciampino.

Another beautiful route, but a little hilly, goes on the Via Cristoforo Colombo to Ostia. The cars drive very fast here, but there is a wide side strip on which you can easily ride a bike.

You can also take the local train to Ostia and then cycle along the sea. Heading south you can ride as far as you like on mostly flat roads or take a break at one of the free beaches.

If you’re feeling sporty, you can also cycle up the Via Tuscolana to the Castelli Romani and then from Castel Gandolfo on the Via Appia back to Rome. There is also a guided tour where you take the train to Castel Gandolfo. Then you already have the most difficult parts behind you.

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2 thoughts on “Rome by bike · sharing · rental · paths · tours”

  1. Thanks for sharing this post on bike rentals in Rome. I’ve always wanted to visit Rome and explore its wonderful sites. It’s good to know you mentioned that they provide bike rentals that are good for the whole day and even for the rest of the week. My family would surely be able to enjoy the sites and sounds if we tour these amazing places while riding these bikes.

    Reply
    • Thank you for your comment. I’m very happy that the info is useful for you. Exploring the city and the surroundings by bike is a great way to know Rome.

      Reply