Cycling around Milan: the perfect transport alternative

ATM Bikes

As I mentioned on the “Milan public transport” page,the Milan public transport network (ATM – Azienda dei Trasporti Milanesi) is quite well developed, because we have four metro lines, we have plenty of buses, trolleybuses, trams, as well as the regional train (passante ferroviario) which connects Milan with many smaller Lombard towns, and which within the city limits passes underground and is paid as much as a metro ride.

With traffic jams that prevail on the streets from early morning to late evening, using public transport seems to be a quite reasonable alternative (not to mention parking difficulties, parking tickets in unauthorized places and the “C” zone!). Therefore, it is worth leaving the car on one from the many large car parks on the outskirts of the city (often at the last metro stations) and change to the metro or bus.

However, there is a small “but”… In Italy, a very popular activity is to strike! So we often have “SCIOPERO”! Be it public transport, trains, airport staff (what!) and various others. In addition, during rush hours, buses and other means of transport are packed to the very door, and in the summer, during the heat and stuffiness, such a journey is not the most pleasant, especially underground.

That’s why it’s worth changing to a bike, and preferably not your own (it’s hard to find a place to park it and there’s no guarantee that you’ll find it after your return – I personally had three copies stolen during 10 years, including two in the very center)

One of the more interesting initiatives in the city is BIKE SHARING, and it takes place on a similar basis as in Warsaw or other cities. To use the service you must first register online or at one of the ATM points (metro stations: Duomo (M1-M3), Cadorna (M 1-M2), Loreto (M1-M2), Romolo (M2), Centrale FS (M2-M3), Garibaldi FS (M2) and buy a subscription (annual or occasional):

With the annual subscription, you get a “tessera” card at home, and with the occasional subscription, you get a code by e-mail, which, along with the password, should be entered on the column when picking up the bike. The subscription starts when you receive the code.

It is also worth remembering that every first 30 minutes is free (meaning within the subscription), after which it starts charging 50 cents for every next half hour. With each rental, there is a limit of use of up to two hours, after which the bike must be returned. There must be 10 minutes between one and the other rental … So yes, I borrow, ride, for half an hour or more, charge the next cents, and then return the bike within two hours. I waited 10 minutes and again on the hop bike! Or to save money, I take breaks every half hour

There are many advantages of moving around Milan this way: I don’t get stuck in traffic jams, I don’t have to inhale the stench of a sweaty co-passenger in the subway on a hot day, I lose calories, I strengthen my leg muscles, and most importantly, I can see more. I recommend!

On the ATM website, there is a map with all bike stations, and at each one, we can find information about how many bikes are available and how many free places there are….

Update – October 3, 2017

Fleet:

More information on the official website.