Renting a bicycle to get around towns and sites in Sri Lanka is it practical and safe and where do I hire one
I love getting around by bicycle and I am wondering if I can hire a bike to explore towns and the areas around the sites (cycling around the ancient cities Anuradhapura Polonnaruwa pottering around a town or the countryside) Is renting a bicycle practical and safe here where do I hire one (guesthouses shops) what does it cost is it a good way to see places like the ruins and is the traffic and heat a problem I prefer pedal power to tuk tuks where I can Cyclists please tell me about renting bikes
7 Answers from travellers
Local so the bicycle hire picture it is a lovely way to explore in the right places Is it practical YES renting a bicycle is common and practical especially in certain places BICYCLE HIRE is widely available (many guesthouses and hotels lend or rent bikes and there are bike rental shops in the touristy towns and near the big sites) so getting a bike is easy The BEST places to cycle the ANCIENT CITIES are PERFECT for it ANURADHAPURA and POLONNARUWA are large spread out sites with quiet flat roads through the ruins and cycling them is THE classic wonderful way to explore (pedalling between the dagobas and ruins through the trees is magical and far nicer than a vehicle) bikes are rented right there POLONNARUWA especially is made for cycling also lovely the quiet countryside and villages (rural lanes paddy fields) flat town pottering (Sigiriya area Habarana some beach towns) the calm flat areas Where it is LESS ideal busy city traffic (Colombo Kandy town centre cycling in heavy chaotic traffic is not relaxing the road safety threads) steep hill country (the climbs are tough unless you are keen) and main highways (busy) so pick the calm flat spots not the traffic Safety realistic be ROAD AWARE the traffic can be chaotic (the road safety threads) so cycle in the QUIETER areas (the sites the back roads the calm towns) not on busy main roads wear a helmet if you can (bring your own or check the rental) be visible ride defensively assume vehicles may not give much room within the ancient city sites and quiet lanes it is safe and delightful on busy roads be cautious Cost CHEAP bicycle hire is inexpensive (a small daily rate often just a few hundred rupees or included by a guesthouse) great value Heat go EARLY morning or later afternoon (avoid the midday heat the sun threads) carry water sunscreen and a hat the early light at the ancient cities is glorious for cycling anyway So yes renting a bicycle is practical cheap and a wonderful way to explore especially the ANCIENT CITIES (Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa are made for cycling) and quiet countryside and flat towns hire one at your guesthouse or a rental shop (cheap) cycle the calm flat areas and sites (not busy city traffic or the steep hills) go early to beat the heat carry water and ride road aware pedal power is the perfect way to roam the ruins and the rural calm
Avoid cycling in the busy city centres or on the main roads the traffic is too chaotic to enjoy but in the ancient cities the back lanes and the calm flat towns it is brilliant and safe pick your spots and a bicycle is the nicest way to get around
Renting a bicycle is practical cheap and wonderful especially the ancient cities Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa which are made for cycling plus quiet countryside and flat towns hire at a guesthouse or rental shop cycle the calm areas not busy traffic or steep hills and go early to beat the heat this is exactly the pedal power plan I wanted thank you
Cycling Polonnaruwa at opening time is one of the loveliest things you can do here the ruins are spread through shady parkland on flat quiet paths and the morning light and birdsong make pedalling between the ancient sites pure joy hire the bike right at the entrance
Go early and carry plenty of water the heat builds fast and you do not want to be cycling the open ruins at midday I did my Anuradhapura cycle from dawn and was back before it got too hot which made it comfortable as well as beautiful
I rented from my guesthouse for almost nothing and explored the village lanes and paddy fields it was the highlight of my stay just check the brakes and tyres before you set off as the cheap rental bikes can be basic but for pottering around quiet areas they are perfect
Many guesthouses near the sites simply lend bikes to guests so ask where you stay before seeking a rental shop you may get one included or for a token fee and the hosts know the best quiet routes around the area which makes for a lovely local tip too
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