Hi - we would really like to rent bikes and ride the Appian Way on a Sunday and have a picnic when there is no traffic. Can you rent kids bikes as well as options for younger kids...trailer, bike seats etc. We have a 11, 9, 6 and 4 year old with us.
Thanks,
Kristen
I've never seen "trailers" for bikes on the Appian Way, but plenty of bikes! The road is very bumpy but you can get off and cruise therough the dirt or gravel paths. Many italians ride their bikes, especially out near Aqueduct Park. You're correct, Sunday is the best day to do so...
Some links for bike rentals in Appia
RS Guide link
Travel for kids
These folks DO have trailers.....
Rome by Bike
I'm sure if google bike rental on the Appian Way you'll see many other choices. Take some water with you, and a picnic. It's a great ride, though I have to admit I've primarily done it on a motorino...
Ciao,
Ron
Ron - thank you so much for this information, especially the link to the bike rental. Really happy to hear that there are trailers.
Thanks again!
Kristen
Follow-on questions to Kristen's (Ron, if you can comment) - we're in Rome Monday to Friday (so not a Sunday) and I was really wanting to do something similar on the Appian Way (my husband and I also have 4 year old and was excited to see they rented bike trailers). Is there a portion of it that is bikeable on weekdays or does it completely go over to traffic? I think we have been in that area to see catacombs, but don't remember the road and traffic setup but the national park website for Appian Way seems to look quite rural and traffic-less. Can this be done (safely) on a non-Sunday? I'm guessing not, but thought I'd ask :)
Neal,
The Appian Way can be a busy road on every day except Sunday. It's also narrow in some points so I would not recommend riding with traffic and a four year old. But there are many trails in the parks adjacent to the Appian Way and you can go quite a distance on these paths. They are primarily hard packed dirt, and some are gravel. You can ride for miles alongside the aqueducts headed towards Ciampino. I've walked it many times, but never on bike.
So whereas you cannot ride "on" the Appian Way highway, there are plenty of places to ride near the Road (and frankly, a lot less bumpy!)
Good Luck,
Ron
