Renting Bikes While Abroad

If you are a serious cyclist, traveling with your bike might be a necessity and an inconvenience you find worthwhile. For someone who is a casual rider, renting on location is definitely the way to go. When renting bikes abroad, there are some things to keep in mind no matter what country you are in.

If you are in a city, there is a good chance there is a city bike program. With the use of your credit card you can rent bikes at an affordable rate for an hour or a day. You may even be able to commute around a city for little to no money if you return bikes to a station in under an hour. This map has been put together to give you a sense of bike shares around the world in operation, no longer in operation or under construction.

It is also helpful to know traffic rules and safety requirements of the city or country in which you are cycling. If you are committing to a longer excursion, you will want to know if you are required to wear a helmet or not cycle on the sidewalk. There can be hefty fines for violating these rules in certain places. If you are taking a longer ride, you will want to bring helmets, lights and reflectors with you.

Study up on the terrain you will be traversing, especially if you are venturing outside of a city center. Road closures or a lack of roads are a huge hassle and if you are cycling on rough terrain, bring a tire repair kit with you.

Finally, don’t be overly ambitious and know your limits. Bring plenty of water and enjoy your trip.