Top Bike Rental & Tours

Top Bike Rental & Tours has operated since 2007 from Via Labicana, a few minutes' walk from the Colosseum, and it keeps a fleet of more than 300 bikes across over 20 models. These range from city bikes and hybrids to mountain bikes, around 25 alloy and carbon road bikes, tandems and electric-assist bikes, including e-mountain bikes and a child's e-bike. Cycling is a practical way to cover more ground than on foot in a city of hills and long distances, and the electric bikes take the effort out of the climbs.

The guided programme includes a City Tour of the historic centre, a Panoramic Tour that takes in the city's hilltop viewpoints, a Rome in One Day tour of the highlights and a Rome by Night bike tour, when the monuments are lit up and traffic is lighter. Outside the centre, the Ancient Appian Way tour rides along the old Roman road past the catacombs to the arches of the aqueducts park, one of the most enjoyable ways to see this area.

Longer day trips by e-bike head into the Roman countryside: one combines the Appian Way with Castel Gandolfo, the papal summer residence above Lake Albano, and another visits Alviano, the hilltop village of Civita di Bagnoregio and Orvieto. Private tours can also be arranged for families and groups.

Bikes can be rented for self-guided exploring, with accessories such as phone mounts available, and the team can suggest routes. The tours suit active travellers, families with older children and anyone who wants to see the Appian Way or the countryside without a car. Traffic in central Rome can be heavy, so less confident cyclists may prefer a guided tour, or an e-bike on the Appian Way, to riding alone in the centre. Bring sun protection and water in summer.

The shop is at Via Labicana 47/49, around five minutes' walk from Colosseo station on Metro Line B and close to the basilica of San Clemente, with its layers of medieval and Roman buildings underground. Book tours in advance through the website, by email at [email protected] or by phone on +39 06 488 2893, particularly in spring and autumn when the weather is ideal for cycling.