I found some interesting itineraries for the archeological park next to Appian Way on the Caffarella Valley. Is it safe to leave a rental bike outside a ruin, monument, catacomb, church, or museum while you go inside and explore? Do they provide some kind of locking mechanism for securing the bikes? I'm afraid of renting a bike and then having it stolen while I'm exploring something on foot. Regards.
Posted by
Tunbridge Wells
6113 posts
I have never been provided with a lock whenever and wherever I have hired a bike. I certainly wouldn’t leave an unchained bike anywhere. We always take our own lightweight bike chains and padlocks when we know we are going to be hiring bikes.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
15806 posts
Some of the providers may rent locks? For instance, I pulled up the first company on the park's list (Appia Antica Service Center/ecobike) and it looks like you can add a lock to your rental. It bothers me more that they don't appear to rent helmets. :O(
https://www.ecobikeroma.it/reserve-now/
https://www.parcoappiaantica.it/home/servizi/nolo-bici?layout=edit&id=176
The complete list of providers:
https://www.parcoappiaantica.it/home/servizi/nolo-bici
Posted by
Columbus, OH, USA
2026 posts
The only time we left our bikes was when we fell off them. It was tough riding along huge, uneven stones. We planned a couple of hours but gave up much sooner . Good luck, be careful.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
15806 posts
See the narrow dirt path on left side of this picture...
https://happytovisit.com/Rome/Bike-Tour-Appia-Antica-Aqueducts-Park-from-Rome/tour-t1883-c200
...and a similar path in pix 4 on this site that these bikers are riding on to the right of the stone road?
https://www.romeing.it/shop/product/rome-bike-tour-ancient-appian-way-catacombs-aqueducts/
They're common along the route. As long as you're careful and don't ride over any pedestrians who might be on them (walkers are most likely to be trekking the stones anyway) they're less bumpy to pedal on.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23267 posts
Our experience with renting bikes (but not on the Appian Way) is that they always came with wheel locks that prevented the back wheel from turning. So if someone want to steal it they would have to carry it off. We have always carried light weight cable locks that we used to secure to something solid. Then we try to secure in areas where it is highly visible and hopefully we can see it if stopping for lunch. We have never had any problems. (We also use the cable locks to secure luggage on trains so we always have them with us.) Europeans are not big on helmets and renting a helmet would have some sanitation issues. For a casual ride the helmet is not a big issue for us. If planning to do extensive riding then we bring our own helmets.