- Would you like to rent an e- bike to visit Florence?
Florence is mostly flat, and a regular city bike allows you to visit the historical center and ride along the Arno riverbanks and the Cascine Park safely and easily.
Bicycle theft is unfortunetely a widespread phenomenon in Florence (and not only in Florence), and the risk of theft increases significantly if the bicycle is valuable.
The rental includes good anti-theft chains; however, if you really want to rent an e-bike for getting around the city, we strongly advise you never to leave it unattended and always keep an eye on it even when locked.
For rental of each e-bike a deposit on a Visa or Mastercard of €1000 is required - What is the battery range of the rental electric bikes?
It is not possible to give a precise answer, as the battery range depends on many factors, including distance, elevation, level of assistance used, weight of the bike and rider, and outside temperature.
Average range is 70/80 km.
Bikes are rented with a battery charger and key, but it is not possible to charge them on the street.
Most electric bikes allow charging both by removing the battery and by disconnecting it from the bike. The time for a full charge is approximately 2/3 hours. - How does the deposit work?
To rent an e-bike, gravel, and racing bike, a deposit on a credit card (Visa and Mastercard only) is required.
The amount is €1000 per bicycle – it is possible to split the total across multiple cards.
The deposit is a pre-authorization that blocks the amount on the credit card account, making it unavailable.
The amount is not subject to currency exchange rates.
Upon return, the vehicles are checked, the pre-authorization is closed, and the amount will normally be available within the following 4/5 working days – you will therefore not receive money in the bank nor see a credit in your credit card movements.
In fact, the block is “unfrozen.” - Keys for anti-theft chains
The anti-theft chain is always provided with its corresponding key.
We recommend keeping it in a practical and safe way – leaving it on the lock could lead to its loss, as the streets of Florence are subject to uneven surfaces.
In case of loss of the key, the cost of a duplicate is €15.00 - How to lock the bike correctly?
In the city, use the chain by passing it through the wheel and frame, locking the bike to a (high) pole or a bike rack, so that it cannot be lifted and carried away.
Be careful not to obstruct passage on sidewalks or in front of shop windows.
Never lock bikes to barriers or fences around statues or points of interest; they could be removed by the Municipal Police, and any removal costs and fines are the responsibility of the renter. - Is it possible to return the bikes to a different address or outside opening hours?
Florence by Bike is only at Via San Zanobi 54red, and bikes must be returned during opening hours.
If necessary and with adequate notice, a different procedure can be agreed - What are the roads like in the Tuscan countryside?
The roads are mostly paved; for those looking for gravel or MTB routes, we recommend the very useful Komoot app or the Tuscany Region’s page dedicated to cycle tourism: https://www.visittuscany.com/it/interessi/in-bicicletta/. The routes available on our site consider scenic roads, the least trafficked possible, and are paved routes recorded on Strava. - What should I do in case of a flat tire?
Using the bike with a flat tire can cause deformation of the rim.
Those who have rented city bikes are advised to bring it back on foot for the replacement of the inner tube or to have the puncture repaired by a mechanic in the area where you are, at your own expense.
Other types of bicycles are equipped with an inner tube, tyre levers, and a pump to allow you to replace the inner tube yourself. - Advice for less experienced riders on using gears
Using the gears correctly allows you to exert less effort and avoid mechanical problems.
The gears should be used when pedaling is still light (never change gears when stationary or uphill), and the gear levers should not be used simultaneously.
Change gears when pedaling is not strenuous, and it is very important to keep the chain straight to have the least possible friction.
To simplify:
–gear 1 (low) on the left lever should be paired with the low gears (low) on the right lever (1, 2, 3);
–gear 2 on the left lever should be paired with the middle gears on the right lever (3, 4, 5, 6);
–gear 3 (high) on the left lever should be paired with the high gears on the right lever (6, 7, 8).
Incorrect use of the gears can put stress on the chain and cause it to break. - Is it safe to ride a bike?
We believe that using a bike in and out of the city is safe.
However, a bicycle is a vehicle used on roads, so careful and prudent behaviour is always recommended.
In the city: the historic center is mostly pedestrian area, and the main traffic roads are flanked by comfortable bike paths that allow you to cycle safely.
Outside the city: in Tuscany, cycling is a beloved and popular sport, which means that motorists are used to encountering cyclists, especially on secondary roads, and their attitude is usually correct; in some cases, they may show a bit of impatience by honking their horns to suggest that you allow them to overtake you. - Is a helmet mandatory?
In Italy, the use of a helmet is currently not mandatory, but we recommend its use; therefore, the rental fee includes the helmet without extra charge.
-
- Would you like to rent an e- bike to visit Florence?
Florence is mostly flat, and a regular city bike allows you to visit the historical center and ride along the Arno riverbanks and the Cascine Park safely and easily.
Bicycle theft is unfortunetely a widespread phenomenon in Florence (and not only in Florence), and the risk of theft increases significantly if the bicycle is valuable.
The rental includes good anti-theft chains; however, if you really want to rent an e-bike for getting around the city, we strongly advise you never to leave it unattended and always keep an eye on it even when locked.
For rental of each e-bike a deposit on a Visa or Mastercard of €1000 is required - What is the battery range of the rental electric bikes?
It is not possible to give a precise answer, as the battery range depends on many factors, including distance, elevation, level of assistance used, weight of the bike and rider, and outside temperature.
Average range is 70/80 km.
Bikes are rented with a battery charger and key, but it is not possible to charge them on the street.
Most electric bikes allow charging both by removing the battery and by disconnecting it from the bike. The time for a full charge is approximately 2/3 hours. - How does the deposit work?
To rent an e-bike, gravel, and racing bike, a deposit on a credit card (Visa and Mastercard only) is required.
The amount is €1000 per bicycle – it is possible to split the total across multiple cards.
The deposit is a pre-authorization that blocks the amount on the credit card account, making it unavailable.
The amount is not subject to currency exchange rates.
Upon return, the vehicles are checked, the pre-authorization is closed, and the amount will normally be available within the following 4/5 working days – you will therefore not receive money in the bank nor see a credit in your credit card movements.
In fact, the block is “unfrozen.” - Keys for anti-theft chains
The anti-theft chain is always provided with its corresponding key.
We recommend keeping it in a practical and safe way – leaving it on the lock could lead to its loss, as the streets of Florence are subject to uneven surfaces.
In case of loss of the key, the cost of a duplicate is €15.00 - How to lock the bike correctly?
In the city, use the chain by passing it through the wheel and frame, locking the bike to a (high) pole or a bike rack, so that it cannot be lifted and carried away.
Be careful not to obstruct passage on sidewalks or in front of shop windows.
Never lock bikes to barriers or fences around statues or points of interest; they could be removed by the Municipal Police, and any removal costs and fines are the responsibility of the renter. - Is it possible to return the bikes to a different address or outside opening hours?
Florence by Bike is only at Via San Zanobi 54red, and bikes must be returned during opening hours.
If necessary and with adequate notice, a different procedure can be agreed - What are the roads like in the Tuscan countryside?
The roads are mostly paved; for those looking for gravel or MTB routes, we recommend the very useful Komoot app or the Tuscany Region’s page dedicated to cycle tourism: https://www.visittuscany.com/it/interessi/in-bicicletta/. The routes available on our site consider scenic roads, the least trafficked possible, and are paved routes recorded on Strava. - What should I do in case of a flat tire?
Using the bike with a flat tire can cause deformation of the rim.
Those who have rented city bikes are advised to bring it back on foot for the replacement of the inner tube or to have the puncture repaired by a mechanic in the area where you are, at your own expense.
Other types of bicycles are equipped with an inner tube, tyre levers, and a pump to allow you to replace the inner tube yourself. - Advice for less experienced riders on using gears
Using the gears correctly allows you to exert less effort and avoid mechanical problems.
The gears should be used when pedaling is still light (never change gears when stationary or uphill), and the gear levers should not be used simultaneously.
Change gears when pedaling is not strenuous, and it is very important to keep the chain straight to have the least possible friction.
To simplify:
-gear 1 (low) on the left lever should be paired with the low gears (low) on the right lever (1, 2, 3);
-gear 2 on the left lever should be paired with the middle gears on the right lever (3, 4, 5, 6);
-gear 3 (high) on the left lever should be paired with the high gears on the right lever (6, 7, 8).
Incorrect use of the gears can put stress on the chain and cause it to break. - Is it safe to ride a bike?
We believe that using a bike in and out of the city is safe.
However, a bicycle is a vehicle used on roads, so careful and prudent behaviour is always recommended.
In the city: the historic center is mostly pedestrian area, and the main traffic roads are flanked by comfortable bike paths that allow you to cycle safely.
Outside the city: in Tuscany, cycling is a beloved and popular sport, which means that motorists are used to encountering cyclists, especially on secondary roads, and their attitude is usually correct; in some cases, they may show a bit of impatience by honking their horns to suggest that you allow them to overtake you. - Is a helmet mandatory?
In Italy, the use of a helmet is currently not mandatory, but we recommend its use; therefore, the rental fee includes the helmet without extra charge.
- Would you like to rent an e- bike to visit Florence?