Does anybody have good information on bicycle rentals in Rome center? do they have them? are you able to rent them and ride around to the sites?
Posted by
Eugene, Oregon...Formerly Ventura, CA
2262 posts
I have not rented a bike in Rome, but it sure looks like it happens. Also, here is a (2010) article on how to use the Public bicycle program, which I presume still exists:
http://www.eurocheapo.com/blog/rome-atacs-bikesharing-progam.html
And an apparently RS endorsed (2015) rental outfit:
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16539 posts
Personally? Traffic is crazy enough in Rome that it's not a city I'd be comfortable riding in - and I've ridden in traffic. I also don't remember much for bike racks around the attractions for locking them up - although to be fair, I maybe didn't notice them.
There are two places I'd consider wheeling, though: Villa Borghese (park) and out on the Appia Antica. Here's the site for rentals in Borghese - although it appears to be 'down' for the winter:
Rental info for the Appia is on their website:
http://www.parcoappiaantica.it
http://www.parcoappiaantica.it/home/servizi/nolo-bici
http://www.parcoappiaantica.it/home/servizi/rete-accoglienza
Posted by
Placentia, CA
1075 posts
I love to bicycle and am always looking to see if there are opportunities to ride. I didn't see one bicycle in the two days we were in Rome. We were only in the tourist parts of Rome.. Based on the areas I visited, there is no way I would ride a bike there. It is not even safe to walk. Ok, I'm exaggerating. I am sure there are areas to ride and have seen Rick Steves riding outside of Rome on one of his episodes. Think twice before riding a bike in the center of Rome.
Posted by
Eugene, Oregon...Formerly Ventura, CA
2262 posts
If it turns out that the public program is worthwhile that may give opportunities to ride a distance and turn in the bike, then take another after sightseeing, etc. No concerns then about racks and securing the bike. Lots of people do this in Paris, not sure how well developed the Rome program is.
Posted by
Oregon
650 posts
I wouldn't bike in Rome central for transportation. It's either too full of stairs or too full of traffic, and usually both. But Kathy's suggestion of Borghese park is a good one if the pleasure of biking is the goal. We spent a happy morning biking there in two electric assist carts. Biking along the road connecting the catacombs is also fun. The road connecting them is closed to traffic one day a week. I think it's Sunday, but my memory may be faulty. The answer is in RS Guidebooks.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16539 posts
Biking along the road connecting the catacombs is also fun. The road
connecting them is closed to traffic one day a week. I think it's
Sunday, but my memory may be faulty.
That's out on the Via Appia Antica I mentioned above, and yes, it closes to traffic on Sundays. But the southern section of the 'road' - south beyond Cecilia Metella - didn't have much of that even during the week. Going north of around C. Metella, it's ordinary paved road with little for pedestrian/biking space the closer you get to Porta Sebastiano. If you look at the map, you can see a side path marked with a narrow yellow line (catacombs of S. Callisto is on it) that gets around some of that problem.
But the bike rental outfit should be able to provide info on best routes. We did it on foot, personally liked the section beyond C.Metella to Casal Rotundo the best, and intend to go even further south next time.