Biking around Rome?

There was a thread about this recently; do a search using the box in the upper right corner.

As best I can recall, the general consensus was--OK to rent a bike and ride around the Villa Borghese or possibly the Appian Way (on Sundays). Not a good idea anywhere else, especially not where there are cars!

Yikes! Your "different view of Rome" might be a hospital room. I'd be afraid to try it.

If you are a Roman, born and raised there, extremely well fit, an Olympic cyclist, have a good paid up insurance policy and a death wish, go ahead. Unlike the cities you mentioned, Roma is not a bicycle city. To borrow a phrase: This is a question for Ron the Roman!

Stew,

I believe Abraham posted a question about this a few weeks ago. There are bike rentals available in Rome - in fact a new company is trying to grow their business this summer. That said, this is a very difficult city to ride in. There are very few bike paths, the roads are mostly cobblestone, and Italian drivers are not "bike-friendly."

The suggestions above are good - Borghese, Appian Way, Ada, etc are all great, but limited spots, to ride a bike. Getting out into traffic is challenging, as you'll see when you get here. But it can be done on early Saturday or early Sunday when the roads are quieter - especially Sunday!

You will not see bikes like you do in Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam, and other large European cities. At 14 you can drive a motorino here and so most kids do... thus you'll see more of those and less of bikes!

I do not advise folks to ride a motorino either - unless you have some motorcycle experience and also "driving in Europe" experience. Things just seem to come at you faster in Rome and you have to be prepared. I've been run off the road and run over on my motorino and shudder to think what would have happened had I been on a bike! Be careful!

Ciao,
Ron

I found crossing the street on foot rather a challenge...cars DO stop..but usually if you send an elderly/older person holding up their hand across first..or someone with kids in a stroller...

Wouldn't recommend it - it can be dangerous just walking in Rome at times - dodging cars and other pedestrians. I think you would find it very difficult to navigate and probably injure yourself and possibly others.

Also, not even the sidewalks are safe. I was walking down Via Candia near the Vatican and a man on a Vespa decided to get out of his parking space by driving up onto the sidewalk and riding down the sidewalk around several pedestrians, tables, chairs, trees, etc. until he reached an opening back onto the road. Definitely made me aware of my surroundings after that!!

Liz, I live on Via Candia --- AND IT WASN'T ME! But you are correct, locals do tend to take the shortest route. I park on a a one-way street and will admit to heading out "against" traffic as all the locals do... but I DO try and stay off the sidewalks!!!!

LOL (and dodging motorini) in Rome,
Ciao,
Ron

Rick did a thing on renting a bike out on the Appian Way. In town, it's not the best idea. There are motorcycles and cars zipping around like a bumper cars ride (surprisingly few accidents though). I don't recall seeing any bikes though I may just not recall. For a neophyte to Rome traffic it may result in a great cultural experience - a hospital visit.