Cycling in Bologna: bike hire and cycle paths from the station

At a glance

Bologna is a flat, compact city built for two wheels. The historic centre can be crossed in a few minutes, the ring of boulevards has a continuous cycle path, and the station — where you arrive — is one of the best-connected spots for cyclists. If you are staying 20 metres from Bologna Centrale, a bike becomes the fastest way to reach the Giardini Margherita, the university district or the Quadrilatero without worrying about buses and timetables.

This guide explains, practically, how to hire a bike in Bologna, where the main cycle paths are, and how to get around from the station area. All figures are taken from public sources; where a detail changes frequently (rates in particular) we will flag it.

Bike sharing in Bologna: RideMovi

The bike-sharing service operating in Bologna is RideMovi: free-floating bicycles that you find parked around the city and unlock with your smartphone. There is no fixed docking station: you see the bikes on the app map, walk to one, scan the QR code and go.

There are two types of bike:

• Standard bikes (traditional, pedal-powered)
• Electric bikes (e-bikes, with pedal assist — useful for the few uphill stretches, such as towards San Luca or the hills)

How it works, step by step

1. Download the RideMovi app (iOS or Android) and register a payment method.
2. Open the map: you can see available bikes near you and the remaining charge on e-bikes.
3. Reach the bike and scan the QR code on the handlebars to unlock it.
4. Ride. The fare runs from the moment of unlocking.
5. At the end of your ride, park correctly and end the trip in the app.

Bologna has approximately 180 designated docking points (“hubs”) where bikes can be returned in an orderly way. Ending your trip inside a hub is worthwhile: there is a €0.30 discount on the fare, whereas leaving the bike in a “no parking zone” triggers a surcharge. In short: end your trip at a hub and save money.

How much it costs

An honest note on rates: bike-sharing prices change with seasonal promotions and packages. The figures above are the rates reported by local sources, but the exact amount is always shown in the app when you tap on a bike before unlocking. If you hold a Tper subscription (the city bus network), from September 2025 you are entitled to a bonus covering up to two free rides per day within a duration limit. It is worth checking. See also Getting around Bologna by bus for Tper subscriptions.

Bologna’s cycle paths

Bologna has invested significantly in its cycling network in recent years, following a “line” logic similar to a metro — the so-called bicipolitana. For visitors, though, two things matter most: the boulevard ring and the links from the centre.

The Tangenziale delle biciclette

This is the backbone of the system: an 8.4 km cycle ring running around the historic centre along the tree-lined ring boulevards, inaugurated in September 2015. For much of its length the path runs protected between the trees (approximately 5.2 km on reserved track), separated from motor traffic.

The key detail for you is that Viale Pietramellara — the boulevard in front of the station — is part of this ring. This means you leave the station, grab a bike and within a few metres you are already on a protected route that takes you in any direction around the centre: towards the Giardini Margherita to the south, the university area to the east, Porta San Felice to the west.

The ring passes through, among other points:

• Viale Pietramellara (station side)
• Viale Masini
• Viale Carducci and Viale Panzacchi (towards the Giardini Margherita)
• Viale Filopanti and Viale Berti Pichat (university area)
• Viale Silvani and Viale Vicini (western side)

From the station to the historic centre

Bologna’s historic centre is a restricted traffic zone (ZTL) and largely pedestrianised, but bikes are permitted with common sense (walking pace in busy pedestrian areas); check the updated rules on the Comune website. From the station, along Via dell’Indipendenza you reach Piazza Maggiore in a few minutes; bear in mind that it is a very busy road, so it is often better to dismount and walk the bike in the most crowded sections.

If you want to really pedal, the boulevard ring is smoother than the centre: use it to move from one neighbourhood to another, then enter the historic centre on foot.

Easy cycling routes from the station

Here are three simple rides starting from the station area, designed for those who do not want to exert themselves.

1. The boulevard ring (relaxed, approx. 8 km)

The full loop of the Tangenziale delle biciclette: start from Viale Pietramellara and circumnavigate the centre, almost entirely on protected track between the trees. It is flat and gives you a wonderful view of the city’s historic gates (Porta Galliera, Porta San Felice, Porta Santo Stefano). Perfect for the first evening, in the warm light.

2. Towards the Giardini Margherita (greenery, approx. 3 km)

From the southern boulevards you reach the Giardini Margherita, Bologna’s main public park: a lake, lawns and kiosks. It is the green lung where locals go running and sunbathing. The route is almost entirely on cycle path.

3. Towards the university and the porticoes (culture, approx. 2 km)

Along Viale Filopanti and Viale Berti Pichat you reach the university area (Via Zamboni), the heart of student life, with its museums and historic cafés. From there you are a stone’s throw from the Two Towers.

For hills (San Luca, the Colli): if you want to reach the Sanctuary of San Luca or the hills around the city, choose an e-bike: the pedal assist makes the climb manageable, whereas on a standard bike it is quite demanding. For the story of the longest portico in the world leading to San Luca, see our dedicated content.

Traditional bike hire (non-sharing)

If you prefer a bike to yourself for a full day or longer — perhaps a sturdy city bike or an e-bike for the hills — Bologna has hire shops and tour operators that rent bikes by the hour or day, often with a helmet and lock included. Ask us at the property and we’ll point you to the nearest active option.

When traditional hire makes more sense than bike sharing:

• Half or full day outside the city (hills, San Luca, longer routes): on a time-based rate, sharing becomes expensive.
• Bikes with accessories (child seat, panniers, quality e-bike).
• Guided bike tours, if you want a guide.

For short in-city trips, on the other hand, RideMovi remains the most practical choice: no booking required, pick up and leave where you like (at a hub).

Practical cycling tips for Bologna

• Bologna is flat. The centre and boulevards have no significant gradients: only San Luca and the hills require effort (or an e-bike).
• Cobblestones and tram tracks. Some historic streets are paved with cobblestones; on narrow tyres, be careful on wet setts.
• Porticoes. You walk under the porticoes, you do not cycle: in busy covered sections, dismount and push the bike.
• Lock. If you hire your own bike, always use the lock even for short stops. With sharing, end the trip correctly in the app.
• Helmet. For adults it is not compulsory in the city (check current regulations), but for longer rides or for children it is recommended.
• Lights in the evening. Hire bikes are fitted with lights; if you are cycling after dark, make sure they are working.

FAQ

What is the bike-sharing service in Bologna and how do I use it? It is RideMovi: free-floating standard and electric bikes. Download the app, scan the QR code on the handlebars and go; at the end of the ride, park the bike (preferably at a hub) and end the trip in the app.

How much does it cost to hire a bike with RideMovi? Indicatively €1.20 every 20 minutes for a standard bike and €1.00 unlock fee + €0.25 per minute for an e-bike. The exact rate, including any promotions or packages, is always shown in the app before you unlock.

Can I cycle to the station? Yes. The station has approximately 2,600 bike stands and the cycle lane on Viale Pietramellara, part of the Tangenziale delle biciclette, runs right in front of the Piazza Medaglie d’Oro exit.

Can I cycle in the historic centre? The centre is a ZTL and largely pedestrianised: bikes are permitted with common sense and at walking pace in busy areas, but for getting around it is often easier to use the boulevard ring. Check the updated rules on the Comune website.

Is an electric bike or a standard bike better? For the centre and boulevards (flat terrain) a standard bike is perfectly adequate. For San Luca, the hills or longer rides, choose the e-bike: the pedal assist makes a real difference on the climbs.

I have a Tper pass — do I get a discount on bike sharing? Yes, from September 2025 Tper subscribers are entitled to a bonus covering up to two free rides per day within a duration limit. Check the current terms in the app and see Getting around Bologna by bus.

Check availability — your room 20 m from the station

Bologna Station Suites is located 20 metres from Bologna Centrale: leave your bags in the room, pick up a bike from the Viale Pietramellara cycle lane and within minutes you are on the boulevard ring or at the Giardini Margherita.

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