FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Are you planning a trip to Rome?

Want to hire a bicycle or a scooter in Rome?

Want to take part in a tour of Rome on a bike or a Vespa, or even in an exclusive electrically powered Fiat 500?

Below you will find some useful information on renting two-wheelers from Bici & Baci and some ideas to make your stay all the more enjoyable. If you have any specific requests, don’t hesitate to get in touch!

VISIT ROME

Why visit Rome on two wheels?

By visiting Rome on two wheels, you have the advantage of being able to move around freely. In practically no time, you'll be switching from one interesting place to another, leaving you more time to get to know the real Rome and real Romans.

Once you're in the saddle, finding the best ice cream and coffee becomes a pleasure, and making your way to great restaurants that the tourists never find out about is just so easy.

When should I visit Rome?

Rome is the ideal city for exploring on two wheels the weather is great and temperature perfect for most of the year.

Winter
Winters in Rome are mild, even if during the coldest months of December and January the temperatures can be rather low. Rainy days are the exception rather than the rule, and the winter sunshine makes walking and riding around the streets and monuments always enjoyable. And, of course, authentic Italian espresso is never far away, thanks to the multitude of cafes in every part of the city.

Spring
Spring starts early and acts as a bridge between the relatively short winter and the long, hot summer. With spring comes a riot of colour and a very pleasant climate, and is the best time of the year in which to visit Rome on two wheels.

Summer
Summer is hot (with temperatures often hitting over 30°C), but the heat is not overly close - there is nothing better than riding around the city on two wheels, stopping off in parks or next to Renaissance fountains to devour the best ice cream you've ever tasted.

Autumm
Happily, Autumn is often a continuation of the Summer. Like Spring, it offers a k ale idoscope of colours, with plenty of sunshine and minimal rain, particularly in September and October.

What can I not afford to miss?

Is this your first visit to Rome? Or do you already know the jewels in the city's crown and are now in search of the hidden secrets of the Eternal City?
Either way, we can help you by custom designing an itinerary for you!

If this is not your first visit, in the same section you will find a number of signs for monuments, churches and other places that are off the standard tourist trail but are still easy to reach on the two-wheeler you hire from BICI&BACI.

If the information given is still not sufficient, feel free to come and see us in person. We've lived in Rome our entire lives and we'll be delighted to tell youwhat's not to be missed!

Where can I find a map of Rome?

BICI&BACI is pleased to offer you a Welcome Map, which is a detailed city map showing the main monuments of Rome along each route.

BICI&BACI

What is BICI&BACI?

BICI&BACI is the best way to discover Rome!
Our stores are the places to rent bikes and scooters and to sign up for unforgettable tours that will allow you to discover the real Rome.

BICI&BACI arose out of the passion for two-wheeled transport of its founder, Claudio Sarra, and is today a chain of three stores in central Rome, where you can rent bicycles and motor scooters, join bike and scooter tours that depart several times a day, or have a personal tour – maybe even on a vintage Vespa or Fiat 500 – custom-designed for you!

Why choose BICI&BACI?

Because we love what we do! We are convinced that the best way to visit the world's most beautiful city – Rome, of course, but then we are biased! – is on two wheels.
Our staff will advise you on the most appropriate form of transport, will recommend the places to visit on the basis of your preferences, and will help you to put together an unforgettable tour.


Discover what they say about us all round the world! Click here.

WHICH DOCUMENTS DO I NEED TO BRING WITH ME?

To rent bikes

BICI&BACI is the best way to discover Rome!
Some form of identity document Credit/debit card or cash for the security deposit

To rent scooters

You must be aged 18 or over,
some form of identity document,
Credit/debit card or cash for the security deposit,
Category “B” driving licence, or Category “A” for models with an engine size of lower than 150cc.
If you have a driving licence issued by a country outside the EU, you must show, alongside your currently valid national driving licence, your international driving permit.

SECURITY DEPOSIT ON RENTED BICYCLES AND SCOOTERS

How does the security deposit work and how long does it take to unlock?

Bear in mind that in order to rent bicycles, e-bikes and scooters from us, you will be asked to leave a deposit for the rental. This security deposit is an amount that is "ring-fenced" on your credit/debit card as a guarantee on the loaned vehicle. This sum is pre-authorized to cover the eventuality that you accidentally cause damage to the bicycle or scooter entrusted to you, or that they are stolen. At Bici & Baci, you can leave the security deposit in cash or by credit/debit card. At the end of the rental period, Bici & Baci will hand you back the security deposit in cash or “unlock” the ring-fenced amount on your credit/debit card. However, you may not have immediate access to the unlocked amount – it all depends on the inter-bank arrangements and on the credit/debit-card issuer. Sometimes, the amount in question is only unlocked a number of days after the end of the rental period. On other occasions, the process can take several weeks. If in doubt, we recommend that you should have a sufficient credit limit on your card just in case it takes some considerable time for the amount to be unlocked. In such circumstances, it is advisable to contact your bank for more information.

How much is the security deposit?

The deposit is €100 per bicycle, from €300 up to €500  per e-bike and €500/700/1000 per scooter, depending on the engine size.

RENTAL OF BICYCLE AND E-BIKES

Which documents are required to rent a bicycle?

To rent bikes, you need to present some form of identification, which we will photocopy and then give straight back to you, and a credit/debit card as a guarantee. If you don't have a credit/debit card, you can leave a €100 deposit for each pedal bike and from €300 up to €500 for electric bikes.

What does the rental service include?
We supply you with a sturdy lock, which can be used for one or two bikes, a helmet (if you want one), and support if you come up against any problems.
Am I insured for any damage to the bike during the rental period?

No, you are liable for any damage to or theft of the bike.

What is the minimum age for children to use the bikes?

Children can be taken on bikes from the age of 3 months.
Up to a weight of 9kg (20 pounds), they can be strapped into a rear child seat, whereas from 10kg (22 pounds) to 25kg (55 pounds) they need to use the frontal child seat. Use of the child seats is free. We have bikes that are suitable for children once they have reached a height of 1.2m (4 feet).

How suited is Rome to travelling by bicycle?

Rome's urban cyclists make the best of it, utilising the wide pavements where possible, the fantastic parks and the narrow alleyways, because Rome does not have very many dedicated cycle routes. Taking this improvisational approach, you can discover sides of Rome that are a million miles away from the tourist buses, the hardcore advertising and the traffic.

Can I book my bicycle rental in advance of my visit to Rome?

Yes! You can book your bicycle rental on our website, in the "2-wheeled rental" section. If you pay straight away by credit card or PayPal, you are entitled to a 10% discount.

Why should I book now?

We advise you to make your booking online well in advance because our service is proving really popular! If you pay straight away, you'll get a discount and the availability of your chosen bike(s) will be guaranteed at your preferred BICI&BACI store. If you check in online, the bike(s) will be ready in next-to-no-time.

Can I cancel my booking?

Yes, you can cancel a booking up to 48 hours prior to the day on which the rental is scheduled to start. In such cases, you will not be charged, and any money you have already paid will be reimbursed to you.

What happens in the event of bad weather?

There's no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothing! In adverse weather conditions, you just need to wear appropriate gear. Of course, if possible, we'll give you the option to reschedule the rental.

Do you supply maps?

Yes, we'll supply you with a map of central Rome, showing the routes to reach the main attractions.

What if I get a flat tyre or there's a problem with the bike?

We are open every day from 8am to 7pm, and we will be happy to help you out right across the city. If you've got a problem, just call us straight away on the phone numbers shown on our site!

What if I want to prolong the rental period?
No problem at all: just call the store where you collected the bike(s) and let us know the new return date.

MOTOR SCOOTER RENTAL

Which documents are required to rent a motor scooter?

A driving licence ('B' for scooters up to 125cc and 'A' for 250/300cc scooters), which we will photocopy and give back to you, and a credit/debit card as a form of guarantee, on which we will reserve the sum of €500/700/1000 depending on the engine size of the scooter. If you don't have a credit/debit card, you can leave cash instead. If your driving licence was issued outside the European Union, you have to present your international driving permit as well as your current national driving licence in order to rent a scooter.

What does the rental service include?

All of our scooters come complete with a lock, a top box, the relevant paperwork, third party insurance, and two helmets per scooter.

What if I don't have any experience of riding a scooter?

Riding a scooter is not easy. You could be involved in an accident, for which you may even be responsible. For this reason, you need to bear in mind that if it turns out you are unable to ride a scooter, we will be forced to cancel your booking and to withhold part of the rental cost.

Where can I park the scooter?

You will find free parking facilities specifically designed for scooters right across the city.

What happens about petrol?

We supply the scooter with a full tank and we'd like you to ensure it's full when you give it back to us. There are numerous petrol stations all across Rome.

How old do my children have to be before I can take them with me on the scooter?
Italian law strictly prohibits the transportation of children aged under 5 on two-wheeled vehicles. For children aged 5 and over, the law states simply that they must be large enough to sit in a stable, balanced way, in a position determined by the vehicle's equipment.
Where do I get the scooter?
All of our stores are located in the centre of Rome, close to subway stations; when you make your booking, you can choose from which store you would like to collect the scooter; we offer a drop-off and pick-up service for scooters (€15 for each drop-off or pick-up).
To where do I return the scooter?

It's up to you which of our stores you want to return the scooter to. We are open every day, from 8am to 7pm. On the basis of a written agreement, you can return the scooter to the store at No. 5 Via del Viminale even after closing time

What happens if I get a fine?

Nel caso si commetta un'infrazione al codice della strada, si è tenuti al pagamento della multa.
If you commit a driving offence, you will be liable for paying the fine.
In such cases, we will have to give your details to the police, who will send the find to your address. Due to the red tape involved, we will charge you €20 + VAT for every fine you receive. The fine will be delivered by the police office so that you can make payment directly.

Can I book the motor scooter rental before my visit to Rome?

Yes! You can book your scooter rental on our website, in the "2-wheeled rental" section. If you pay straight away by credit card or PayPal, you are entitled to a 10% discount.

Why should I book now?

We advise you to make your booking online well in advance because our service is proving really popular! If you pay straight away, you'll get a discount and the availability of your chosen scooter will be guaranteed at your preferred BICI&BACI store.
If you check in online, the scooter will be ready in next-to-no-time.

What happens in the event of bad weather?

There's no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothing! In adverse weather conditions, you just need to wear appropriate gear. Of course, if possible, we'll give you the option to reschedule the rental.

Do you supply maps?

Yes, we'll supply you with a map of central Rome, showing the routes to reach the main attractions.

Can I cancel my booking?

Yes, you can cancel a booking up to 48 hours prior to the day on which the rental is scheduled to start. In such cases, you will not be charged, and any money you have already paid will be reimbursed to you.

What if there's a problem with the scooter?

We are open every day from 8am to 7pm, and we will be happy to help you out right across the city. If you've got a problem, just call us straight away on the phone numbers shown on our site, on the keyring and on the map!

Are there any motor scooters suitable for three people?

No, under European legislation no scooter is approved for the transport of 3 people at the same time

Is it compulsory to wear a helmet? How many helmets do you supply?

Yes, it is compulsory to wear a helmet throughout the European Union. We can supply one or two helmets of different sizes for each scooter. These can be placed in the top box or under the seat whenever you're at a stop.

BICYCLE TOURS

Why explore Rome on a bicycle?

We are convinced that two wheelers are the best way to fully appreciate the beauty of Rome, to visit the archaeological sites and artistic hotspots and to discover unknown gems that are off the usual tourist trails.

Why take a bicycle tour with BICI&BACI?

- We adore Rome and we know it inside out: our tours are a new, entertaining, eco-friendly way to discover the city, far from the hordes of tourists.

- Our guides are really nice and really professional; if you want to know what Rome is all about, you need some human input. Find out what our customers have to say about us!

- We offer bicycle tours of Rome to suit everyone: an easy tour that is even suitable for children, covering the squares and monuments that have made Rome famous the world over; a more adventurous tour with dirt tracks and roads surrounded by greenery, scattered with the remains of Ancient Rome; and a panoramic tour that reaches the summit of Rome's famous hills, affording you some priceless views. To learn more, visit the "Tour" section.

- We supply high-quality city bikes, make in Italy by Elios, and we renew our fleet every year. They are sturdy, resistant bikes, and the gears are easy to change, so they hold up very well to continuous use. BICI&BACI bikes are perfect for tourists, with city-bike frames and an upright position allowing you to get an eyeful of the city at your own pace.

- For more demanding customers, we also offer customer-designed private tours of Rome.

Do I need a bike?

No: the bicycle rental is included in the price of the tour. BICI&BACI supplies high-quality bikes, made in Italy by Elios, with 3 or 7 gears, Schwalbe tyres and racks.

What is the minimum age for children to use the bikes?

Children can be taken on bikes from the age of 3 months.
Up to a weight of 9kg (20 pounds) they can be strapped into a rear child seat, whereas from 10kg (22 pounds) to 25kg (55 pounds) they need to use the frontal child seat. Use of the child seats is free, but they need to be reserved: please send a mail with at least 48 hours' notice tostaff@bicibaci.com .
Child seats are not permitted for bicycle tours on the Appian Way.

Where do the bicycle tours leave from?

All of the bicycle tours leave from our stores, which are situated in the centre of Rome.
- The Panoramic Rome ("Roma Panoramica") tour departs from the BICI&BACI store at No. 5, Via del Viminale
- The Rome City Centre ("Roma Centro Città") tour and the Appian Way tour ("Appia Antica") depart from the BICI&BACI store at No. 302, Via Cavour.

At the time of booking, we will send you an e-mail with the precise address and a link to Google maps.
In the case of a private tour, you can choose whichever BICI&BACI store you want as the starting point.

Where does the tour end?

All of the bicycle tours finish where they started, making a perfect circle.
In the case of a private tour, you can choose where you want the tour to end – a different BICI&BACI store from where you set off, or even at your hotel (extra charge applies).

What is the difficulty level of a BICI&BACI tour?

Our bicycle tours are around 10-15 km (6-9 miles) in length; they generally last 3-4.5 hours (depending on the tour). This corresponds to an average speed to 4-6 km (2.5-4 miles) per hour (we normally walk at around 3-5 km (2-3 miles) per hour).
Thanks to the frequent breaks to admire the beauty of Rome and to learn more about the city, the tour has a relaxed pace.
All of our tours, with the exception of Panoramic Rome, are mostly on the flat and are accessible to most people, even those who are not exactly very fit!

Why should I book now?

We recommend that you book straight away because our tours are proving very popular! Numbers are limited for each tour.

How long does the tour take?

In the "Tour" section, you will find the duration and route for each bicycle tour. The duration of the tours varies from three to four and a half hours.

What happens in the event of bad weather?

There's no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothing! In adverse weather conditions, you just need to wear appropriate gear. Of course, if possible, we'll give you the option to reschedule the tour.

How is safety guaranteed during the tour?

All of our bikes are checked by our mechanics every evening. However, we recommend that you check the brakes, bell, gears and headlamps before setting off on the tour, so that we can sort out straight away any problems that are detected.

Is there a scheduled toilet break?

Rome has a number of public toilets in the centre; on request, your guide will stop off close by.

Can I cancel my booking?

Yes, you can cancel a booking up to 48 hours prior to the day on which the tour is scheduled to start. In such cases, you will not be charged, and any money you have already paid will be reimbursed to you.

What happens if I arrive late?

The bicycle tours always leave on time. If you arrive late, our team will do all that they can to ensure you catch up with the rest of the group as soon as possible.

VESPA TOURS

Why explore Rome on a Vespa?

Discovering Rome in the saddle of a Vespa is a magical experience – filled with incredible panoramic views, lights, sensations and colours, feeling the wind on your skin. The best way to understand it is to do it. In the meantime, you can read what our customers have to say about it on TripAdvisor.

Why take a Vespa tour with BICI&BACI?

- We adore Rome and we know it inside out: our Vespa tours and motor scooter tours are a new, entertaining, eco-friendly way to discover the city, far from the hordes of tourists.

- We offer tours of Rome to suit everyone; these out-of-the-ordinary tours lead you on a voyage of discovery that takes in the most attractive parks and districts of the city and the outlying areas

- Our guides are really nice and really professional; if you want to know what Rome is all about, you need some human input. Find out what our customers have to say about us!

- Our riders are authentic Romans, whose consummate riding experience is only matched by their all-consuming passion for Vespas

- For more demanding customers, we also offer customer-designed private Vespa tours and motor scooter tours of Rome on vintage Vespas and vintage scooters.

How old do my children have to be before I can take them with me on the scooter?

Italian law strictly prohibits the transportation of children aged under 5 on two-wheeled vehicles. For children aged 5 and over, the law states simply that they must be large enough to sit in a stable, balanced way, in a position determined by the vehicle's equipment. Children pay full price

Where do the tours leave from?

All of the Vespa tours and scooter tours leave from our stores, which are situated in the centre of Rome. At the time of booking, we will send you an e-mail with the precise address and a link to Google maps. In the case of a private tour, you can choose whichever BICI&BACI store you want as the starting point. If you have chosen a tour with a rider, he/she will pick you up at your hotel (as long as you're staying in the city centre).

Where does the tour end?

All of the Vespa tours and scooter tours finish where they started, making a perfect circle. In the case of a private tour, you can choose where you want the tour to end – a different BICI&BACI store from where you set off, or even at your hotel. If you have chosen a tour with a guide, he/she will drop you off wherever you like (city centre only).

Why should I book now?

We recommend that you book straight away because our tours are proving very popular! Numbers are limited for each Vespa tour and scooter tour.

How long does the tour take?

In the "Tour" section, you will find the duration and route for each Vespa tour and scooter tour. The duration of the tours varies from four to six hours.

What happens in the event of bad weather?

There's no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothing! In adverse weather conditions, you just need to wear appropriate gear. Of course, if possible, we'll give you the option to reschedule the Vespa tour or scooter tour.

How is safety guaranteed during the tour?

Our riders have many years of riding experience. The Vespa tour or scooter tour has a maximum speed of 30km (20 miles) per hour so that you can make the most of every moment; we prefer the alleyways to the major roads – the authentic hidden gems as opposed to the tourist hotspots – and in the saddle of a Vespa everything is within reach!

Can I choose the route?

Sure! As well as our tours, we can organise a private tour for you on the basis of the information you provide.

Is there a scheduled toilet break?

Rome has a number of public toilets in the centre; on request, your guide will stop off close by. Alternatively, there is a scheduled stop-off at a coffee bar or ice cream parlour, where you can use the bathrooms if you wish.

Can I cancel my booking?

Yes, you can cancel a booking up to 48 hours prior to the day on which the tour is scheduled to start. In such cases, you will not be charged, and any money you have already paid will be reimbursed to you.

What happens if I arrive late?

The Vespa or scooter tours always leave on time. If you arrive late, our team will do all that they can to ensure you catch up with the rest of the group as soon as possible.

VINTAGE TOURS

What are the Vintage Tours?

Rome was not built for taxis and buses but for chariots, carriages and...Vespas!
The vintage tours take place on vintage Vespas and scooters, or in vintage Fiat 500s: they provide an unforgettable way to get to know Rome.
Travelling at no more than 30 km (20 miles) per hour, guided by our expert riders/drivers, you will make your way down narrow alleys and across immense squares to wonderful coffee bars.

Can I choose the route?

Sure! As well as our tours, we can organise a private vintage tour for you on the basis of the information you provide.

How long does the vintage tour last?

It generally lasts 4 hours, but we can alter the length to suit you.

How can I set up a vintage tour?
Can I set up a vintage tour in another city?

Yes! Please contact us

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