Buying A Bike In Italy

Bicycles are a true institution in Italy. The first bicycle competitions took place in Italy in 1869. The establishment of one of the most renowned Italian manufacturers, Bianchi, in Milan in 1885 helped create the country’s long-standing enthusiasm for riding.

Where To Buy A Bicycle In Italy?

In Italy, there are several alternatives available for purchasing a bicycle. Let’s look more closely at the locations in Italy where you can get both new and secondhand bicycles.

Where To Buy A New Bicycle in Italy?

Buying A Bike Online

You must build the bicycle yourself at home after purchasing it online. This carries significant safety dangers unless you are a bike enthusiast and expert. Typically, internet-purchased bikes are attractive and sporty on the online store, but assembly is challenging, the quality may be subpar, and riding the bike may not feel secure overall. Therefore, it is not at all advised to shop online.

Buying A Bike From A Bike Shop

Our top suggestion for purchasing a bicycle in Italy is to visit a bike store, test out several models and sizes, and receive a thorough consultation from a cycling specialist. It’s essential to try out various bikes in different sizes (mainly if this is your first bike in a while). Bicycle stores will always offer you a discount on the initial bike examination and sell the bike to you with a guarantee.

Where To Buy A Used Bicycle In Italy?

Buying A Bike At A Flea Market

In Germany, buying a bicycle at a neighbourhood flea market is reasonably common among immigrants. However, significant safety dangers are involved, and those motorcycles often only survive a few months before breaking down. You could also unwittingly aid bike thieves seeking to sell stolen bikes.

Buying A Bike Via eBay

As long as you have had a bicycle in the past and have a basic grasp of its mechanics, purchasing a used bike from a private individual through websites like eBay may be a viable option. The bike should undoubtedly be available for a test ride. To prove that the bike is not stolen, the seller should provide you with a purchase contract or his receipt.

Buying A Bike From A Bike Auction

Almost every city has regular “bike auctions,” when unclaimed bikes from its lost & found are sold. For bicycles to be auctioned during these auctions for very little money, they must be left unclaimed for more than six months. On occasion, you may score a deal on a high-quality bike. You will receive legal documentation proving your bicycle ownership after purchasing it at one of these auctions.

At the end of the day, the bicycle you wish to buy should make you feel safe, comfortable, and in charge.

How To Avoid Buying A Stolen Bicycle

Unfortunately, secondhand bicycles are frequently stolen in Italy. You may check the bike frame number in various databases full of stolen bikes to ensure it is not mentioned there to avoid contributing to the bike theft industry. The frame number is often located between the pedals at the bottom of the frame. Avoid buying a bicycle if the vendor is unable to provide you with the frame number or if it is scratched since it was probably stolen.

Cost of A Bike In Italy?

A decent quality bike in Italy that you want to ride many times each week costs between 800-900 euros. Purchasing a bicycle in a lower price range will probably result in inferior quality that needs maintenance and replacement parts sooner rather than later.

Which Bike Is Best For Italy?

The finest bicycle for you in Italy will mostly rely on your needs and intended use.

The general traits of the most common bike types in Italy are as follows:

• Trekking bike: the ideal all-arounder: roadworthy components, narrower tyres, more incredible speed, suitable for street and light off-road use.

• Citybike: the comfy one with roadworthy gear, standard tyres, a slower speed for the street and some gravel

• Mountainbike: No roadworthy equipment, thicker and narrower tyres, slower on the road when used for climbing and off-roading.

• E-Bike: according to the kind of bike, accessories for comfort and commuting

Do Bikes Get Stolen In Italy?

Bicycle theft is widespread. Particularly in large cities, the police often record thefts. For instance, 30,000 bicycles are stolen each year in Berlin, according to crime figures. With 875 bicycles stolen for every 100,000 persons, Bremen has the highest rate. The police think there are a lot more crimes that go unreported. Frequently, uninsured bicycles aren’t even reported to the police.

Some bicycle thefts provide thieves with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. They grab a bike they discover that is only sporadically fastened since they need transportation. Thieving gangs are proficient in rapidly and covertly picking secure locks with specialised tools. They focus their energies on buying brand-new, expensive bikes. Some thieves may also stock up on high-quality bicycle accessories and replacement components. As a result, you will have to pay for an expensive repair.

Bicycle thefts are seldom reported since individual licence plates are often absent on bicycles. In 2019, 9% of reported incidents to the police were successfully addressed. The motorcycles are routinely broken down into individual parts and sold by gangs of criminals. Since your bike is no longer recognisable, your chances of getting your stolen bike back are pretty slim. Therefore, in this case, bicycle insurance could be helpful.

How To Register A Bicycle In Italy

Visit the website www.motocicloitaliano.it, where all the information is accessible. Input your information, the specifics of the car, and four images of the bike, then submit your request.

A dedicated pack containing the Italian Motorcycle Federation (FMI) Member Card for the current year, the certificate of registration to Motociclo Italiano, a gadget, and a letter from Mr Giovanni Copioli, FMI President, will be sent to you when you register your vehicle with Motociclo Italiano. This will give your bike greater prestige and access to significant benefits.

Alternative: Renting Your Bike In Italy

You have several alternatives for renting a bike alternative to buying a bicycle in Italy if you are only visiting Italy for a brief time or want to use a bike occasionally.

Bikerentitaly : 

Bike Rent Italy (BRI) is a member of the ONE MORE RIDE family and was established and run by Simon Clarke and Andrea Nicosia, both of whom have 20 years of professional riding experience (Australian Pro Tour rider in EF World Tour Team).

Cycling enthusiasts from across the world may enhance their riding skills while seeing some of the top cycling areas in the world with the aid of BRI and OMR.

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BRI is able to provide the most excellent cycling materials because of its fantastic partners, allowing riders to leave their priceless bikes at home and still perform at a high level.

Their brand-new motorcycles receive regular maintenance from their expert technicians.

Bike Rentals In Italy:

One of the oldest and most reputable businesses for renting bicycles in Italy, France, and the rest of Europe since 1972 is Cycle Europe. They specialise in giving groups, clubs, and professional tour operators full-service bike trip assistance in addition to our high-end tandems, e-bikes, and touring cycles. They are ready to serve as a one-stop shop for multi-day trips, offering everything from rentals to support services.

Understand The Italian Cycling Rules

Before riding your new bike on Italian roads, you should become familiar with Italian cycling regulations. The usage of bike lanes, giving turn signals, and whether you need a riding licence in Italy are just a few of the laws and regulations that apply to everything in Italy.

Conclusion

Your use case and prior cycling experience should be taken into account when purchasing a bike in Italy, and the type of bike and store should be chosen accordingly. The best course of action is to go to a bike store, have a professional advise you regarding bike type and size, and test drive a few bikes until you locate the one that makes you feel most comfortable.