Italy Cycling Rules 101

At Eat Sleep Cycle, we’ve put together a bitesize Italy Cycling Rules 101 guide to help you ride safe and smooth on the limoncello-clad roads of one of Europe’s favourite cycling tour destinations. We curate each of our Italy cycling tours to showcase the very best of the region you’ve chosen to visit —that includes gastronomy, culture, history, and people. We help our guests unlock jaw-dropping, soul-reviving experiences that set a new standard for adventure. With that in mind, we encourage all our guests to follow best practices and local cycling etiquette to ensure a safe and respectful tour for them and others.

Our Italy cycling tours encompass every imaginable road, trail and terrain from the Italian Alps and Dolomites to the glistening coasts of Sicily, allowing our guests to choose the cycling tour region, style and intensity that best suits their ability and goals. And as soon as the adventure gets underway, safety is our top priority.

Even if you’ve been cycling in Italy before, we recommend reading these tips and best practices as a brief reminder before your trip. 

Stick to the right

If you’re joining one of our Italian cycling tours from the UK, or any other country that drives on the left, remember to pay close attention at roundabouts and intersections, especially on rural roads with no white lines. Old habits die hard. Make sure to consciously check your position at each turn. Before you know it, navigating Italy’s twists and turns will be second nature.

Cyclists can ride two by two… if necessary 

Cyclists love to ride in twos… we know. But we’ve also heard the rumours about Italian drivers…. We’d rather be safe than sorry. Officially, cyclists are required to stick to a single file group, though you can ride two abreast if you really need to inside towns and cities. But outside city limits, the rules get stricter. You’re only allowed to ride side by side if one of you is under 10 years old, and in that case, the child must stay to the right of the adult, closest to the verge. 

Light your ride and stay visible

Funnily enough, Italy has no law requiring bikes to be fitted with front and rear lights. But, there’s the law… and then there’s common sense. We recommend all cyclists to come equipped with both front and rear lights in case the ride of the day starts before sunrise, or returns after sunset. Cyclists are in fact required to wear reflective jackets, gilets or sashes when riding outside urban areas from sunset until half an hour before sunrise. Failure to comply with these rules could result in a fine.

Stay in control

Part of the beauty of our Italian cycling tours lies in experiencing the slow pace of rural Italy. Here, la dolce vita is more than a hashtag; it’s a way of life. As such, take extra care when cycling through town and village centres —locals may not expect a group of cyclists to appear from around a corner. Ride at a slow and controlled pace, and be ready for sudden stops or turns, keeping a safe distance from the bike in front of you. 

Use clear hand signals

Communication is key. Even when riding in a group, make clear hand signals when turning to let drivers and other road users know what you are doing. The earlier you warn others, the safer everyone will be. The same goes for riding in a peloton. Make sure to signal to riders behind you regarding braking, red lights, hazards in the road, etc. Check with your expert guides before starting the ride to make sure everyone is on the same page. 

Easy does it on the descent

Descending from the high summits of the Italian Alps and Dolomites one of the greatest rewards in cycling. And while Pidcock might make it look easy, these steep gradients and sharp turns demand respect; the slightest patch of snow or wet could end in disaster. Practise descending before you join the tour: Keep a steady grip on your brakes; control your speed before entering a corner; look through the apex, start wide, exit wide; plant your weight on your outside foot; keep a safe distance from the bike in front of you —they’ll spot any hazards before you do— and try and enjoy the views!

Stay protected in the heat

Italy is known for its beautiful climate; long, dry, sunny days that invite you to stay outside well into the warm night. If you’re used to riding in the heat, you know what to do. If you’re not, we recommend riding with two water bottles at all times, one with salts and the other with water. Drink little and often. While most of our Italian cycling holidays are scheduled outside peak summer months, there are always unexpected warm spells in the spring and autumn. Our expert guides will know where you can refill your water bottles, and scheduled tours will provide extra hydration on hot rides. 

Sun protection is just as important as hydration in hot weather. Our rides often last several hours, so chances are you’ll be cycling under the sun at some point. We highly recommend applying sunscreen before every ride, even if the forecast is cloudy. Mountainous areas in Italy are known for their unpredictable weather, and the sun can break through unexpectedly. It is always better to be over-prepared and keep your skin protected. 

Let them eat… everything!

Eat Sleep Cycle cycling tours offer something out of the ordinary —that includes once-in-a-lifetime routes; thousands of kilometres; soaring summits; and unfamiliar roads and conditions that always require extra concentration. All that extra energy expenditure is more tiring than you might expect, so to keep properly fuelled and energised, we recommend taking full advantage of hearty breakfasts and delicious recovery dinners. Luckily, Italy is famous for its carb-rich meals and pastries, meaning you should have no trouble with meal prep. 

If you’re on a scheduled Eat Sleep Cycle cycling tour, our team will also keep you fuelled with bars and drinks to keep the dreaded bonk at bay. 

Pace yourself

Whether you’re used to long rides or not, the excitement of conquering pro-level climbs is enough to get a fire lit under anyone’s wheels. But too great a push at the beginning will be detrimental to the rest of your ride. In general, our guests are riding our routes for the first time, and as such are not familiar with the distances and gradients. That’s where our expert guides come in. They will advise and support you before and during the ride to help you gauge how much ground is left to pedal, where to ease up, and where to push for maximum effort. 

Treat your bike as an extension of yourself! 

That means, while you keep yourself well fuelled and in the best shape for riding, your bike should be taken care of too. Minimise the risk of accidents and mechanical issues by making regular maintenance a priority, especially when abroad. Check tyre pressure, chain lubrication and brake performance before each ride, especially if you are using your own bike —if you’re on a scheduled tour, our expert guides can help. 

If you’re bringing your own bike on tour…

Make sure to drop your bike in for a staycation with your local mechanic before you join us on an Italian cycling tour. Although you’ll be in safe hands with our experts, an emergency cassette replacement will set you back money, and worst of all time… The best advice we can give is to ensure your bike is in the best health and condition before you pack it. 

That being said, we always recommend hiring one of our rental bikes for Italian cycling tours. We offer premium bike hire on almost every cycling tour we run, including Basso and Wilier models for road and gravel. They are selected specifically to provide the smoothest and safest experience. 

Eat Sleep Cycle’s 10 Essential Italian Cycling Phrases

A destra – Right

A sinistra – Left

Dove si trova…? – Where is…?

Sono in bicicletta – I’m on a bike

Attenzione! – Watch out!

Strada chiusa – Road closed

Aiuto! – Help!

Pista ciclabile – Bike lane

Acqua potabile – Drinking water

Foratura – Flat tire

Want to find out more about cycling in Italy?

As soon as you’re ready to travel we would love to show you around Italy! Check out our Italy Cycling Tours or give us a call now on +34 972 754 301 or contact us online for more info!

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