I'm studying abroad in Florence, Italy this fall (2008) for 3 months. Should I buy a bicycle? Why or why not?

Question

I heard that it would be easier to get around the city. Plus i figured if I was going to be walking or taking the bus everywhere then why not just buy a bike and get some exercise? Or is it just a hassle?

Answer 1

yup, i'd buy a bike. the streets are perfect for cyclists & their driving is more civilized than most italians i've noticed!

Answer 2

I think so. The public transportation in Florence is not as advanced as, say, London. A bike would be a great way to get around, easy to store, and the best form of exercise. Plus, it'll take less time to get around than walking, and you don't have to worry about watching your surroundings all the time while on a bus. Be sure to get a basket for your bike though, you'll find lots of cool stuff to bring home.

Have fun! Florence is beautiful!

Answer 3

I grew up in Europe and I can assure you that having a bicycle will be of great benefit to you.  Everywhere we lived (Germany, France) and everywhere we visited (Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Italy, England), the bicycle was the mode of transportation used most.  It's not like the US, where bike lanes are less plentiful.  European countries plan for bike riders when they build roads.  Gasoline has always been more expensive there, so biking is prevalent.  There's also the fact that European countries are really, really tiny.  Biking across the US is a major undertaking, but biking across Italy is a lark.  Trust me.

Answer 4

Absolutely. A bicycle is a good investment. Especially one with a basket! I spent 2 months in Florence with 4 friends and we thought walking everywhere or just taking a bus would be okay and it wasn't. The market was like 2 miles away and everything is in smaller portions than we estimated so we would have to take frequent trips. The bus or trains are useful when it comes to leaving the city but if you plan on being there for 3 months, you'll for SURE get tired of walking everywhere. So yes, invest in a bike!

Answer 5

florence is small. when i have been there i can walk one end of hte city to the other in about an hour.  i am sure if you live ther you can make it faster by not getting lost. a bike will make it faster but wait till you get there.