Looking to add a little adventure to your next vacation? Consider swapping the rental car or crowded tour bus for a bike.
Whether you’re a casual rider or an avid cyclist, incorporating biking into your travels offers a unique and active way to experience your destination—at your own pace. Here’s my recommendations that I’ve done myself and general information for any type trip to have a great vacation that also includes great biking.
Personal Picks from the Saddle
On a recent two-week trip to Italy, we carved out time for a three-day self-guided ride with Puglia Cycle Tours, a locally based operator offering scenic routes through olive groves and seaside villages in southern Italy. The experience struck a perfect balance of independence and convenience, thanks to their detailed route planning and baggage transfers.
In New York City, we’ve used Biking Unlimited which operates in several U.S. cities, offering great urban rides for visitors. In Calgary, Toonie Tours provided a fun and informative two-hour ride that brought the city’s highlights to life.
Below are more ideas for wherever you decide to go on vacation, with many options to suit your needs.
Options for Every Traveler
Cycling on vacation doesn’t have to mean a hardcore, spandex-clad ride across a mountain range (unless you want it to!). It can be as simple as renting a city bike for an hour or two to explore a neighborhood, or as immersive as a multi-day self-guided or fully supported tour through the countryside.
Here are a few ways to add cycling to your itinerary:
City Bike Rentals
Many cities offer affordable, on-demand bike rentals that let you explore parks, waterfronts, and charming streets on your own time. Companies like Lyft or Citibike run mobile bike shares, or sometimes cities have their own, such as Mobi in Vancouver. A simple google search will tell you where to get one in any city. Don’t forget about local rental companies, too, as they can offer more extras such as guided tours, different size bikes, and other activities.
Guided Bike Tours
These are perfect for a few hours of sightseeing with a local twist. Sites like Viator, TripAdvisor, and local visitor bureaus are great places to find short, guided rides in cities around the world. For example, we recently enjoyed a city bike tour with Toonie Tours in Calgary and found excellent rides in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and Melbourne, Australia via Viator.
Self-Guided Multi-Day Tours
Companies like Puglia Cycle Tours and Macs Adventure offer curated cycling routes, arrange your lodging, transfer your luggage, and provide GPS navigation—allowing you the freedom of independent travel without the logistical stress.
Fully Guided Tours
If you prefer a group experience with built-in support, companies like Backroads and Trek Travel offer fully supported trips with expert guides, vehicle support, and top-notch accommodations.
Why Bike on vacation?
Cycling allows you to slow down and truly take in your surroundings—smell the bakeries as you roll through a quiet neighborhood, stop to photograph that vineyard you’d miss in a car, or chat with locals at a roadside café. It’s healthy, eco-friendly, and adds a refreshing sense of discovery to any vacation.
So next time you’re planning a getaway, think about how two wheels could enhance the experience. Whether it’s a casual cruise or a cross-country trek, there’s a bike ride waiting for you.