BICYCLE PATH IN RIO DE JANEIRO – ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW
Are you one of those who like to enjoy the city calmly, taking quieter walks? Take a bicycle and go around the wonderful city wouldn’t be a bad idea, right? We’ll introduce you some bicycle path in Rio de Janeiro! Check here all the information.
BICYCLE PATH IN RIO DE JANEIRO
The city of Rio de Janeiro as a big metropolis in the country at many times has its traffic very difficult. It happens mostly in the peak times, big events and important dates. A good solution to escape this intense traffic of cars is using the bicycle path. It’s a good option for moving faster and also helps the environment, right?
WHAT ARE BICYCLE PATHS?
Normally, cycle paths are isolated lanes from vehicular traffic routes, but are parallel to them. In some cases, the roads may be divided between cyclists and vehicular drivers. That is why there are demarcations and flags. Bicycle lanes may have yellow, red, blue and flag colors.
In case of shared lanes, these are demarcated to serve as a track for both cyclists and pedestrians (joggers and exercise). We emphasize that in these tracks, the priority is for pedestrians and runners.
BE AWARE
There are rules for cyclists and also for vehicular drivers, rules for the use of the bicycle and also the bicycle path. It’s extremely important to respect the signs and rules in order to avoid accidents among people who circulate along these roads.
URBAN PROJECT TO RIO DE JANEIRO
Brazil participated in one of the biggest environment events in the world that was the ECO 92. After this event, the city of Rio de Janeiro, together with the Municipal Secretariat of the Environment (SMAC), reaffirmed the sustainable ideals for the city.
The goal was to search for alternatives to invest in urban development. Seeking that public policies had as their ideal the preservation of the environment.
AFTER STUDIES
After a lot of studies, the city decided to invest in the cycling network. In 2009 they created the project: “Rio, the urban capital of mobility by bicycle”. It was implanted bike racks and only increases the number of bike rental points for the population.
The city has around 200 kilometers of bicycle path already built and around 100 kilometers under construction. This project is still expanding. All this work has the participation of the state government and private initiative.
RELATED EVENTS
Some events related to the development of sustainable projects were held:
2011– BiciRio, where projects were presented and debated for the use of the bicycle in the city.
2014 – Velo-City happened, this is an international event that brings together representatives from over 1000 cities in search of solutions for cities.
2018 – Rio was chosen to host Velo-City. Being the first city in South América to host the event. This event was attended by research institutes, national agencies and studied the behavior of cyclists. The goal was to understand the various factors that are important for creating effective and functional cycle paths for the population.
RESULTS
The result of all this work, earned the city the title of “Latin American Capital of Urban Bicycle Mobility”
BICYCLE PATH EXISTING IN THE CITY
The cycling network has around 450 nowadays. They are distributed in:
– Center of the city with 9 kilometers;
– South Zone with more than 130 kilometers;
– North Zone with more than 50 kilometers; and
– West Zone with more than 250 kilometers.
The main bicycle path stars at Marina da Glória and in the Center of the city and goes for all over south zone, until Leblon. Some others bicycle path are connected with others neighborhood in the city such as Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, Barra da Tijuca and Recreio dos Bandeirantes.
DIVISION OF THE BICYCLE PATH IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
See here for more information about the localization of the bicycle path divided in the neighborhood in the city:
BICYCLE PATH IN DOWNTOWN AND SOUTH ZONE
Through Enseada da Glória
This bike path is located in the Glória neighborhood. Around the entire Marina da Gloria. On this route you can pass through Santos Dumont Airport, the Santos Dumont Monument and the cove beyond Marina da Glória.
Between Leme and Downtown of the City
This is known as Bicycle Path Mané Garrincha. Take the Avenida Princesa Isabel through Copacabana and follow Lauro Sodré Avenue.
Continues by General Severiano already in the neighborhood of Botafogo and bypasses the Botafogo cove. The bike path continues through Flamengo neighborhood, around the entire Aterro do Flamengo (facing Morro da Viúva). Continue following the Flamengo Park.
WHY DO THIS WAY?
This two bicycle path allows you to enjoy Guanabara Bay and has a view to Sugar Loaf Mountain and Christ the Redeemer.
Starting in Leme and going to Copacabana
You can start this way through Leme neighborhood. Just follow the entire bike path along the beach. You will pass through the entire Copacabana neighborhood on Avenida Atlantica.
Copacabana e Ipanema
This bicycle path is called João Saldanha. It has its route connecting Copacabana beach and Ipanema beach. You can follow the stretch of Arpoador (famous sunset), in this case you should take Francisco Otaviano Street.
Following from Ipanema to Leblon
This stretch is also located at the beach, between the neighborhoods. The bike path here is separated from the main avenues of the neighborhoods (Avenida Vieira Souto and Avenida Delfim Moreira).
HOW DO THIS WAY?
These bike paths allow you to enjoy the waterfront of the neighborhoods and maybe even stop for five minutes and take a dip, right? Here you can also watch the sunset.
The Copacabana waterfront overlooks the Sugar Loaf and from Ipanema it overlooks the Arpoador and Two Brothers Hill. No doubt this is the most searched and those who does it, loves it.
Another way between Ipanema and Leblon
In Ipanema neighborhood there’s a square called Jardim de Alah (also a metro station). This square has a lane that goes to Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, in the division between Ipanema and Leblon (Avenidas Borges de Medeiros e Epitácio Pessoa).
Between Leblon and Gávea neighborhood
The bicycle way here is called Rubro-Negra, and it’s located between Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon. This path goes through Avenidas Bartolomeu Mitre (in Leblon) and Padre Leonel Franca, following Rua Mário Ribeiro (in Gávea).
TIP – BICYCLE PATH THROUGH RODRIGO DE FREITAS LAGOON
This tip is for those who want to do a tour with the bicycle or even walking. The lagoon has almost 8 kilometers of extension and from there it’s possible to see the Christ the Redeemer in a sunny day. After the tour you can drink coconut water in the kiosks around. This route follows the Avenida Epitácio Pessoa and Avenida Borges de Medeiros.
Catacumba Park
In the same street, Avenida Epitácio Pessoa, you will be able to Visit the Catacumba Park. In this case, you can take a bike lane on the other side of the traffic lanes, so it isn’t not the “Lagoa” bike lane. From there you can visit the park and enjoy beautiful views of the south zone of the city. This tour is a must see, the park is a spectacle to enjoy the lagoon!
Lagoa – Humaitá – Botafogo
This bike path allows the access to three neighborhoods. The access is through Avenida Epitácio Pessoa, and goes to Rua Humaitá – Rua Visconde Silva – Rua Mena Barreto – Rua General Polidoro – Rua da Passagem – Rua Professor Álvaro Rodrigues until Avenida das Nações.
Bicycle Path in Botânical Garden
This route has shared lanes between cyclists and pedestrians. It goes through Rua Pacheco Leão and Rua General Garzon.
Between Botafogo and Laranjeiras
Bicycle way that connects Botafogo Beach to Laranjeiras neighborhood through Rua Farani. It is located near the headquarters of the Fluminense club, so it is also known as the Tricolor bike path.
WHY DO THIS WAY?
These bike paths inside the neighborhoods are quieter and the Botanic Garden and Botafogo has a special, well wooded and pleasant climate. Although it is a more alternative tour, it’s a beautiful option especially if you want to know some sights in the neighborhoods.
BICYCLE PATHS IN THE WEST ZONE OF THE CITY: SÃO CONRADO – BARRA DA TIJUCA – RECREIO – JACAREPAGUÁ
São Conrado
This bike path runs along the beachfront of São Conrado from one end to the other. The route is made by Avenida Mayor Mendes de Morais.
Barra da Tijuca
The Barra da Tijuca bike path is one of the longest in the city. It runs along the beachfront of Barra da Tijuca and along Avenida Lúcio costa (this is the longest stretch of road to Recreio dos Bandeirantes) and Avenida do Pepê (formerly known as Avenida Sernambetiba).
In Barra da Tijuca the bike path that is located inside the neighborhood is known as the Ayrton Senna bike path, which runs along the Ayrton Senna avenue.
WHY DO THIS WAY?
The beachfront of São Conrado and Barra da Tijuca are very popular especially for those who like quieter beaches. You can stop by any of the waterfront kiosks for a coconut water during your tour.
Between Barra and Jacarepaguá
This route until Jacarepaguá starts at Avenida Ayrton Senna and you need to take Gabinal Road.
In Jacarepaguá there is a bike path that goes around the Rio de Janeiro Convention Center. This is a shared lane between cyclists and pedestrians. It has a path through Avenida Olof Palmer, Rua Abraão Jabour and Avenida Salvador Allende.
ECO-ORLA
This bicycle path connects Barra da Tijuca and Recreio dos Bandeirantes. The stretch is an ecological reserve of Marapendi Lagoon. The route is by Avenida Lúcio Costa.
From Recreio dos Bandeirantes until Pontal
This bike path runs along the beachfront of Recreio dos Bandeirantes and goes until Pontal. From Pontal you can go until Macumba Beach.
BICYCLE WAY OF GRUMARI AND GUARATIBA
Grumari Beach
This bike path is accessed from Avenida Estado da Guanabara along Grumari Beach.
Eco Brisa
This bike path is on the edge of Guaratiba neighborhood and follows Avenida Nelson Moura, along Brisas Beach.
BICYCLE WAY BETWEEN TIJUCA FOREST AND MARACANÃ
Tijuca Forest
The Tijuca Forest Bike Path is located in Alto da Boa Vista. This is also a shared lane between cyclists and pedestrians, but they are paved roads marked with yellow and are part of the boundaries of Tijuca National Park.
On this route you can follow the Estrada da Cascatinha, Estrada do Imperador, Estrada do Dom Pedro Augusto, Estrada Major Archer, Estrada Barão de Escragnolle and Estrada do Visconde do Bom Retiro.
Maracanã
Mário Filho stadium, more popular as Maracanã, has a bike path that surrounds it and has routes through of Professor Eurico Rabelo Avenue, Presidente Castelo Branco Avenue and Mata Machado Street.
BICYCLE PATH IN ILHA DO GOVERNADOR
In Ilha do Governador the bike ways are divided in:
Dendê Beach: Avenida do Magistério
Dendê Beach – Corredor Moneró: Avenida do Magistério
Rio Jequiá: Estrada do Jequiá
BICYCLE WAY IN NORTH ZONE
Eco Acari in Pavuna
The bike path is located at Avenida Prefeito Sá Lessa, Rua Arnaldo Guinle and Rua Pedro Jório.
BIKE RACKS IN THE CITY
Bike racks can be easily found at subway, bus, train and ferry stations and at the BRT station.
WHY USE BIKES TO KNOW THE CITY?
Most of the bike paths in the city of Rio de Janeiro pass along the beaches, so, the sea coast of the city. Taking a walk through these areas will give you spectacular views.
In addition to visiting and appreciating the surrounding parks and gardens, you can even see the city’s forest. Many buildings and monuments can be seen along your walk, as in the case of the City Center. See the possibilities and plan your script.
BIKE RIO PROJECT
For visitors or those who do not have a bicycle, there is the option to rent a bicycle for a ride. This is the Bike Rio project.
Bike Rio is a shared bike system and is part of the Bike Itaú project, together with the Rio de Janeiro City Hall. So anyone over 16 can ride a bike after purchasing a riding plan.
Bikes can be picked up and returned in any station of the system around the city. If you want more information, purchase plans and locate the stations we leave you the project site for you to access BIKE RIO.
