Is it worth renting and riding a bike in Rio de Janeiro? How much does it cost to hire a bicycle? Where to rent one? What neighborhoods to bicycle in?
Riding a bike along the beaches in Rio de Janeiro is an experience not to be missed. The city’s bike trails are flat and well-paved, with several great photo spots on the way. The locals enjoy them so much that they typically ride them daily. To join them, you just need to rent a bike!
Find in Chapter 5, “Self-Guided Bike Tours in Rio de Janeiro” of My Rio Travel Guide, categorized by locale, the addresses of bike rental shops along with their hours, terms, and conditions. Beware that at the bike shops, the later you get there on weekends and holidays, the higher is the risk of no bikes left to hire (particularly December – January).
In the end of the chapter is the self-guided bike tour map with the shops exact locations (see legends B1-B6) and a suggested itinerary. Note that a 54-min round-trip is enough to cover the most lively beach coast. Add extra 24 minutes to bicycle around Lagoa (lagoon). If you want to stop for lunch at one of the four recommended restaurants on the way and/or do other activities, half a day rental will largely suffice.
Remember to rent a locker along with the bike if you plan to do activities that do not permit you to keep an eye on your bike, such as, helicopter tours and paddle boat rental (both available at Lagoa).
Tip: renting for a few hours will satisfy most tourists, but if you want to rent a bike overnight, check if your hotel charges for the bike. If it is not free or if they charge too much, ask the rental shop if you can leave your bike at the shop overnight and get it back in the morning (some shops offer that option).
For itinerary, full-size map and updated bike rental information, get a copy of My Rio Travel Guide – The Essential How-To Visitor’s Guide to Rio de Janeiro.