Cycling
Cycling is popular in Switzerland and Europe and a lot is done to encourage this eco friendly way of getting around. The weather is normally good enough for cycling from March until October. Before getting a bike there are a few things you should consider. Bicycles are not permitted in any part of the residence and the program offers no storage for bikes. If you do get a bike you will have to padlock it in the street outside or use a dedicated storage facility which charge a small fee and are not close to residence.
You can rent or borrow a bike, or buy a second hand bike for the few months you are here.
Borrow a bike
Cantonal free-bicycle network. Operated by Donkey Republic in partnership with Genèveroule, offering free-access bicycles 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at more than 200 stations in the canton.
https://www.geneveroule.ch/en/velopartage/
Free bike loan for the day from May to October. You will need to give them an ID and pay a deposit.
https://www.geneveroule.ch/en/bicycle-loan-containers/
In some other cities you can borrow bikes with PubliBike. It is a bike sharing scheme with bicycles and e-bikes that operate via self-service stations. You can use your customer card to hire a bike from one station and return it to a different station, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Even though borrowing is free you must join the scheme first. You can join using your Swisspass card and a one month enrollment costs about 20chf. This scheme offers an alternative to public transport for exploring cities.
https://www.publibike.ch/en/publibike/
Physics students can borrow bikes for free while interning at CERN. These are only for commuting to CERN. In the summer they charge 1chf per day.
Rent a bike
Long term bike rental service from 3 to 12 months
https://en.bicyclettebleue.ch/
Geneve Roule rent out a range of bikes if you need something more specialized, from half a day to 2 months. The closest shop for rental to the residence is Shop Montbrillant, 17 Place de Montbrillant behind Cornavin train station. https://www.geneveroule.ch/en/montbrillant-shop
Check the bike!
If you hire a bicycle make sure it is in good condition. Check that the brakes, gears and suspension function correctly. Look at the tires and make sure there is no excessive wear or bulging in them. Make sure there is no rust on the bike. If you have doubts about the bike ask for another one, otherwise walk away. Do not endanger your safety by using a bicycle which is defective. Make sure the bike is suited for what you intend to do:
- Vélo de ville – City Bike if you just want to cycle around Geneva city and the immediate lake. Distances 5-10 miles.
- Vélo de randonnée – Trekking Bike for longer distances on the road. For example going around Lake Leman, weekends away.
- VTT – Mountain Bike for going off-road. If it’s not tarmacked road or bicycle path you are considering then you should get one of these. Remember you will have to pay if you damage a bike.
- Vélo de course – Road Racing Bike if you want to enter the Tour de France.
Do not leave it to the last minute to reserve a bike otherwise you may not get the one you want. Buy a spare inner tube in case of a puncture.
Buy a second-hand bike
If you buy a second hand back make sure it is in good condition ( see above). We advise you to go to a dealer who will give a guarantee with the bike.
Peclot 13:
Geneveroule: https://www.geneveroule.ch/en/second-hand-bikes
Bike shops
For new bikes, accessories and repairs try:
Veloservice – Rue du 31 Décembre 41 http://veloservice.blogspot.ch/
Veloland – Route des Acacias 33 Les Acacias/Carouge https://www.veloland-shop.ch/
Decathlon – Rue de Lausanne 16-20, 1201 Genève https://www.decathlon.ch/fr/
Some rules about cycling in Geneva
- Always wear a cycle helmet!
- Use cycle lanes and paths where they exist. Avoid busy main roads and take the calmer routes, even if this may not be the quickest.
- Do not cycle on the tram lines.
- You must have lights and a bell on your bike or you can get fined!
- When cycling in the dark you must wear a yellow vest.
- Use a smartphone holder and don’t have cellphone conversations while moving.
- Use a bike rack if possible. The police can remove badly parked bikes.
- Buy a big lock. Secure your bike to something. PLEASE NOTE WE DO NOT ALLOW BIKES IN THE RESIDENCE.
More information on safety and rules about cycling in Geneva: Cycling in Geneva
Cycle routes
Switzerlandmobility have cycling routes on their website and you can download their app to your smartphone for free. For an additional fee you can download maps for use off-line:
http://www.veloland.ch/en/cycling-in-switzerland.html
Geneva cycle lanes: https://www.ge.ch/document/carte-velo
Geovelo. Great cycle app for navigating through France and neighboring countries.
See also: www.pro-velo-geneve.ch
La Voie Verte
Photo courtesy of the République et canton de Genève
La Voie Verte is a dedicated bicycle and pedestrian track linking Annemasse in France to Eaux-Vives in Geneva. It runs above the subway section of the Leman Express train service. Great for cycling, jogging and walking!
The best way to get to it is to go along the lake to the Parc des Eaux-Vives. Go up through the park and tennis club and you will come out onto a main road. Turn right and then left where you see a sign – Pharmacie de Richemont. Follow through to the right and you will find yourself on the other side at the beginning of the Voie Verte.
There are several road crossings where you don’t have priority, although cars most often give way. The border crossing is at the river Foron and is indicated on the bridge with a letter G for Geneve and an S for Savoie – France. You can continue through Annemasse and onto Bonne in France if you want a longer ride – about 15kms. You would need the Geovelo app and mobile data/4G for the French side.
https://www.geovelo.fr/