Getting Around in Milano
Use BikeMi to Explore the City
Rent a traditional or electric bike for a fun way to see Milano
One of the classic ways to explore any city is to bike through the streets. In Europe, bikes and mopeds dominate transportation for locals and tourists alike, and Milano is no exception. For those visiting, bike rentals offer the most economical way to ride through the city. And as with many other cities around the world, Milano has adopted a bike sharing service that requires little more than a credit card to get started. Here, the rideshare service called BikeMi is operational throughout the year, with hundreds of stations located in all zones of the city.
If you’re looking to explore by bike, BikeMi offers a number of advantages to other options. The city-sponsored service offers economical options for both traditional and motorized bikes. There are plans that allow for biking daily, weekly, or annually. You also have the option to pay by the hour, which is especially useful if you plan only short usage. There are some basic restrictions on the bikes, such as a two hour maximum duration per ride and unavailability between midnight and 6am. However, BikeMi is omnipresent in Milano and represents a flexible, eco-friendly way to get around town.
The best areas to ride a bike in Milano depend on your agenda. In particular, the areas near Parco Sempione and Navigli would make good choices for rides. Keep in mind that the areas directly adjacent to the city center— such as the Duomo and the Galleria — will have heavy traffic from pedestrians, cars, and street trams. It is also advisable to plan your journey in advance. While docking stations are located all over the city, you may want to identify the closest stations to your destination before departing. However, when riding with BikeMi, it is not the destination but the journey through Milano that will be most special.
Good to Know
- Using the BikeMi service is very straightforward. You can sign up for a pass on the website, app, or directly at one of the numerous stations. You’ll receive a code that can be used to check out any bike.
- Most tourists will plan to get a daily pass with BikeMi for only €4.50. There are also weekly plans available if you plan to stay longer.
- BikeMi offers electric bikes which come equipped with an electric motor. While Milano is a relatively flat city, the electric bikes may be useful for those who do not want strenuous physical activity on their ride.
- For younger riders, there are bikes with child seats available. Most often, you will find the child seats attached to the electric bikes from BikeMi.
- BikeMi provides a map of all bike stations throughout the city, on its website. In total, there are over 400 stations in Milano.
- While the use of helmets is not compulsory for adults in Milano, it is highly advisable. However BikeMi does not provide the option for helmets to its riders, so you will need to bring your own.
