Hello, looking to rent bikes in Rome as per Rick's suggestion, however in his video he doesn't mention what you do with the bikes when you go into sites? Is there a way to lock them up, or is it not a concern?
Posted by
Pa and Italy
4152 posts
Riding a bike around the city is not a good idea. There are parks you can ride in but with the car traffic and the cobblestone walkways you won't have a lot of success riding around the city to the sites. If you decide to do it you should bring a chain and lock and hope to find somewhere to lock your bike to. Donna
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
I don't recall anyone saying here, in a number of year, that they've ridden bikes in Rome, I mean in the city itself, the part with road traffic. Or if they've done it, no one has admitted it or recommended it to others. Once you're there, you'll under stand why this is the last place you'd want to bike. We do get posts from those who have ridden bikes out on the Appian Way.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
I'm guessing Rick was referring to biking the Appian Way, since that's what he does in that episode. I agree that it would be crazy to ride a bike in Rome proper. Good luck!
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23296 posts
On Sunday the Appian Way is closed to most - not all - vehicular traffic. About a third of the way down the Appian Way at Via Cecilia Metella is a bike rental shop. I think it is in the range of 12 miles or so that can be ridden............Riding a bike anywhere else in Rome would be suicidal and that is from the viewpoint of a 2000 miles per year cyclist.
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
Frank: Your "Riding a bike anywhere else in Rome would be suicidal and that is from the viewpoint of a 2000 miles per year cyclist." says it all, and clearly!
Posted by
Diamondhead, MS
132 posts
Frank. I've only got 1200 so far this year. I'm an amature. But what's the old saying. Bicycle tourers have BA degrees. Living bike commuters have PhD's and bike racers are reform school graduates.
Posted by
OP
Woodstock, Ontario, Canada
13 posts
Sorry to clarify, I was talking about the part of his video where he is biking along the Appian Way and then stops at the catacombs, I was wonder if one would need to lock up the bike while inside the catacombs. Sorry for the confusion.
Posted by
Austin, TX, USA
492 posts
Another area you can rent bikes is in Borghese Park, I would stay in the park though...
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23296 posts
I think it is always prudent to lock the bike. Many of the rentals in Europe have built in rear wheel locks that prevents the bike from being rolled put not picked up. We always carry a cable lock for our luggage when on trains so I would use that lock for the bikes. You are not going to prevent the theft by the someone who shows up with a bolt cutter but it will prevent someone who is just interested in rolling away on an unsecured bike.