Hello hello! What are the thoughts on renting bikes to stroll around either Rome or Florence? Is one city better than the other for doing this? Are there certain areas of each city where it may be easier?
Things to consider: traffic, sidewalks, width of streets, etc.
Appreciate it!
The challenge I see in renting in either place is crowds. There are so many people, and navigating them plus traffic would make biking not fun. There are places nearby, like Lucca (town near Florence). It has a wall that people ride along that goes around the city). Near Rome there is the Appian way. Im sure you could ride in the cities themselves, but to me it would just be frustrating. And we are enthusiastic and experienced cyclists and love riding bikes around Amsterdam, which many find scary.
Thanks for the feedback! I'm thinking we might take the bus out to Parco degli Acquedotti in Rome. I found a couple of bike rental places closeby, and we can stroll around for an hour or so, with much less crowds. Hopefully a sunset destination.
Have you considered a Vespa? We did this is Florence and it was a blast! Not sure the Vespa's qualify under the ZTL either. We never got any tickets and were roaming all over the place.
I am a very experience cyclist for over 50 years. I would not ride a bike in central Rome or even Florence. The Appian Way (only on Sunday) would be a great ride. Even though I own a Vespa, I would not encourage a Vespa in Rome either.
You'd have to have a death wish to ride a bike in either Rome or Florence. Traffic congestion and the general lack of bicycle-friendly infrastructure would make it very dangerous indeed.
Riding around the old Appian Way and Aqueduct Park would be a much safer and more enjoyable option.
Edited to add: Appia Antica Regional Park has a very informative website at https://www.parcoappiaantica.it/. At the park office you can rent bikes, book a guided bike tour, and generally get your bearings from the knowledgeable and helpful staff. It's located right across the street from one of the bus stops.
Keeping up with them would be a major headache. Besides, you want to leisurely stroll through these amazing cities to fully appreciate them. Public transportation can get you from one amazing area to another.
FLORENCE. Florence is small and flat and it is very handy to use it travelling in the city centre. Watch out cars and especially pedestrians as street are narrow.
