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There is a way to explore Europe that’s three times more fun than driving a car, at roughly one-third the cost. That’s motorcycle and bicycle rental. And BikesBooking is Europe’s most comprehensive two-wheel rental platform — bar none.
It doesn’t rent cars. It only rents two wheels: motorcycles, electric bikes, regular bicycles, electric scooters, and mopeds, across 30+ European countries. The 2026 numbers: motorcycles from €35–80/day, bicycles from €10–25/day, platform fees are low, and the granularity of riding routes beats any general car rental platform. The Amalfi Coast, Dutch cycling paths, the French Riviera — these are Europe’s most beautiful stretches of road, and four wheels only get in the way. Two wheels is the right answer.
Why Cycling Is the Best Way to Experience Europe
💡 Rental car comparison: QEEQ searches major rental brands in one shot, with free cancellation — often 20%+ cheaper than direct booking.
European roads weren’t designed for cars. Historic town centers have narrow streets, parking is scarce (central Paris runs €4–8/hour), one-way roads are everywhere, and navigation apps routinely steer you into dead ends. Motorcycles and bicycles weave through traffic effortlessly, park in almost no space, and — most importantly — let you smell the orange blossoms and sea air.
The Amalfi Coast road (SS163) is one of the most beautiful coastal drives in the world: 50 kilometers, 48 hairpin bends. In a car, you spend the whole time staring at the bumper in front of you. On a motorcycle, every bend opens up a panoramic view, with the scenery and the adrenaline arriving simultaneously. In 2026, peak-season motorcycle rentals on this road (May–October) run around €55–90/day; book a week or more in advance for early-bird rates of €45–65.
The Netherlands is the other definitive example. With over 35,000 kilometers of dedicated cycling paths, well-maintained surfaces, and clear signage, you don’t even need a motorcycle’s mobility — a regular bicycle is all it takes. Dutch cycle lanes are completely separated from car traffic, safety is excellent, and the Dutch treat cycling as daily life — rental, pickup, and return infrastructure is as mature as it gets.
2026 Europe Cycling Rental Price Map
Here’s the key data to figure out where your budget can take you:
| Country/Region | Motorcycle (per day) | Bicycle (per day) | E-Bike (per day) | Popular Routes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Italy – Amalfi Coast | €55–90 | €15–25 | €30–45 | SS163 coast road, Positano, Ravello |
| Italy – Tuscany | €50–80 | €12–20 | €28–40 | Siena to San Gimignano, Chianti wine region |
| Netherlands (nationwide) | €65–100 | €8–15 | €18–28 | Amsterdam to Haarlem, Giethoorn |
| France – Côte d’Azur | €60–95 | €15–28 | €30–48 | Nice to Cannes, Èze village |
| Portugal – Algarve | €45–75 | €12–20 | €25–38 | Lagos to Sagres sea caves |
| Spain – Catalonia | €50–85 | €10–18 | €25–40 | Costa Brava, Montserrat |
| Croatia – Dalmatian Coast | €55–85 | €13–22 | €28–42 | Dubrovnik to Split coastal route |
Note: Prices are low-season (November–March, non-holiday) baselines. Peak season (June–September) runs 20–40% higher; popular periods (Easter, August peak) can reach 2–3x the off-season rate.
Dutch Cycling Infrastructure: The World’s Best
You can’t talk about cycling without talking about the Netherlands. No country has a more mature cycling culture. The infrastructure is extraordinary: over 35,000 km of cycle paths, and in major cities like Amsterdam, Utrecht, and The Hague, cycling signs are more prominent than car road signs. Bridges, tunnels, and elevators built specifically for cyclists (especially common in Friesland in the north) make long-distance rides completely barrier-free.
Classic routes:
Amsterdam → Haarlem (~35 km, 2.5–3 hours): Passes through the Dutch bulb-growing heartland — extraordinary during tulip season in April–May. Flat, no significant climbs, beginner-friendly. A regular bike at €10–15/day is perfect; e-bikes run €20–28/day.
Amsterdam → Giethoorn (~100 km, 2 days recommended): One of the Netherlands’ most popular long-distance cycling routes. Giethoorn’s thatched-roof houses and canal scenery have earned the village the title of “Europe’s most beautiful village.” Cycling gets you far deeper into the experience than any coach tour. Note: this route has some distance to it — some cycling experience is recommended.
Utrecht → Leiden (~55 km): A route through Dutch university city territory with cafes and student culture along the way. Ideal for travelers who like to ride and explore simultaneously.
Practical rental info for the Netherlands:
- Major train stations (Amsterdam Centraal, Utrecht Centraal) have bike rental shops on-site; rates €8–15/day
- OV-fiets (train + bike) costs approximately €6.50/day; arrange it at NS station self-service kiosks
- Swappable battery e-bikes are more common than plug-in charging in the Netherlands — prioritize those when renting
Italy’s Amalfi Coast: The Ultimate Motorcycle Destination
If you only ride a motorcycle once in your life, make it the Amalfi Coast. This road packages adrenaline and postcard scenery into one inseparable bundle.
SS163 runs from Salerno to Sorrento — 50 kilometers, a vertical range from sea level to 600 meters, and 48 hairpin bends. The most famous section, known as the “Road of Love” (Il Strada dell’amore), connects Positano and Ravello. Every bend is a photo stop.
Before you ride:
- License requirements: Riding anything 50cc and above requires a motorcycle license (A2 or higher). Visitors from outside the EU need an International Driving Permit (IDP) specifying motorcycle category. Confirm your license covers the appropriate class
- Gear: Some BikesBooking rental partners provide helmets (mandatory), back protectors, and waterproof jackets. Bring your own gloves and non-slip riding shoes
- Best season: April–June and September–October. July–August peak season means heavy traffic, scarce parking, and 30–35°C heat that saps riding comfort
Price reference (Positano pickup):
- 125cc (approx. 10 HP, suitable for car-license holders new to bikes): €45–65/day
- 250–400cc (for riders with motorcycle experience): €65–90/day
- 500cc+ large displacement (experienced riders, €90–150/day): peak season premium is significant — book well in advance
French Riviera: The Rising Capital of E-Bike Travel
The French Riviera has always drawn motorcycle enthusiasts, but the 2026 trend is the electric bike. The coastal route from Nice to Cannes (~35 km) has become one of Europe’s hottest e-bike stretches.
The route splits naturally: the first 20 km is relatively flat and ideal for e-bikes; the last 15 km climbs into the hills with a few moderate ascents that e-bikes handle easily. Multiple charging/swap stations line the route, and Cannes and Antibes make ideal rest stops along the way.
Côte d’Azur price reference:
- Regular bicycle: €12–20/day; competition among rental shops in Nice’s old town is fierce, and €10/day deals aren’t rare
- E-bike: €28–40/day; specialized rental shops like LocBike and Azure Cycling offer GPS-equipped e-bikes
- Motorcycle: €55–90/day; the Motier area has a good concentration of reliable rental shops
Special mention: French electric scooters (scooter électrique). French regulations for electric scooters are lighter than for gas-powered motorcycles — sub-50cc models (max 45 km/h) don’t require a motorcycle license, just a car license. This makes electric scooters on the Riviera a popular choice for travelers over 50. Daily rates of €40–60 are cheaper than gas motorcycles, and parking restrictions don’t apply.
How to Use BikesBooking
BikesBooking works like a general car rental comparison platform, but optimized specifically for two-wheel travel:
Search flow:
- Choose country/city, pickup date, and return date
- Optional: enter your height (affects vehicle recommendations) and riding experience (affects license category prompts)
- Browse the vehicle list, sortable by price, displacement, or brand
- Click on a specific vehicle to view rental terms (mileage limits, insurance type, cancellation policy)
Key things to know:
- Mileage limits: Some budget motorcycle rentals cap daily mileage (e.g., 100 km/day), with excess charges of approximately €0.15–0.30/km. Mid-range and premium models are typically unlimited
- Helmet policy: All motorcycle rentals require helmets by law. Some cities (like Amsterdam) recommend helmets for cyclists too, though Dutch law doesn’t mandate them
- Age restrictions: Motorcycle rentals typically require riders to be 21+; large displacement vehicles require 25+. Some countries charge young driver surcharges (~€10–20/day) for riders under 25
- Insurance tiers: Basic coverage (CDW with €500–1,500 deductible) versus full coverage (zero deductible) — the gap is significant. Purchasing full coverage on BikesBooking runs around €8–15/day and is recommended
European Riding Laws by Country
Motorcycle regulations vary significantly across Europe. Here’s what you need to know for 2026’s top destinations:
Italy: Helmets are mandatory, along with gloves and eye protection. Motorcycles have equal road rights on regular roads; on multi-lane motorways, use the motorcycle lane where required. The Amalfi Coast’s SS163 is a regular road, not a motorway — motorcycles are permitted.
Netherlands: Bicycles and e-bikes must be equipped with lights (mandatory at night; usually included with rentals). E-bikes are limited to 250W and 25 km/h maximum — exceeding either threshold reclassifies the vehicle as a motorcycle requiring a license. Dutch traffic law strictly mandates that motor vehicles yield to cyclists.
France: Motorcycles require a helmet (mandatory), driving license, and third-party insurance (usually included in the rental rate). French police enforce motorcycle speed limits and unauthorized exhaust modifications rigorously. E-bikes follow the same standard as the Netherlands: 250W / 25 km/h or below qualifies as a bicycle.
Two-Wheel Culture Beyond the Ride
In the Netherlands, cycling is DNA. In Italy, riding a motorcycle is a way of life. In France, cycling is a vacation philosophy. European two-wheel culture is part of the travel experience itself.
In the Netherlands, you’ll see retired men riding to buy groceries, mothers carrying two children in cargo bikes, and professional cyclists training side by side. The Netherlands’ multi-story bicycle parking garages — Utrecht Centraal has the world’s largest, accommodating 12,500 bicycles — are tourist attractions in their own right.
In Italy, the motorcycle is a social instrument. Weekends bring whole families riding to the Amalfi Coast, couples cruising on Vespas. The Italian relationship with motorcycles resembles the Chinese love of cars in northern cities — it goes far beyond transportation; it’s a way of being.
In France, cycling to wineries has become a refined new pastime in Bordeaux and Burgundy. Purpose-designed “vélorando” (bicycle winery tour) routes come with clear signage and mature support infrastructure. Some rental shops offer “winery edition” e-bikes complete with onboard cooler boxes and wine glass holders.
FAQ
Q: Can I rent an e-bike without a motorcycle license? A: Yes. In most European countries, e-bikes rated at 250W or below with a top speed of 25 km/h are legally classified as bicycles and require no license at all. If you want to ride an electric moped (over 250W or above 25 km/h), you’ll need a motorcycle license. When browsing BikesBooking, pay attention to the vehicle category — the platform labels the license requirement for every vehicle.
Q: Do I need a helmet to cycle in the Netherlands? A: Dutch law does not require cyclists to wear helmets, though medical professionals recommend it. Dutch cycling infrastructure is engineered for safety, with dedicated lanes fully separated from motor traffic, and actual accident rates are far lower than in other countries. Riding without a helmet in the Netherlands is socially accepted and legally fine.
Q: Is riding the Amalfi Coast dangerous? A: SS163 does have 48 hairpin bends, limited sightlines on some curves, and heavy traffic at peak times — there is genuine risk. Recommended precautions: avoid weekends and August peak (more trucks); depart early (before 8 AM); rent a motorcycle with ABS (worth the ~€10–15/day premium); never overtake on bends. With the right awareness, this is one of the most beautiful rides in Europe.
Q: Can I return the vehicle at a different location (e.g., rent in Amalfi, return in Naples)? A: Yes, but one-way fees apply — typically €50–120 depending on distance and the rental company’s policy. Some BikesBooking partners offer special rates for one-way rentals within Italy. Use the “allow one-way return” filter on the search results page to see specific pricing.
Q: Can children ride bikes or motorcycles? A: Rules vary by country. Netherlands: children can ride with parental supervision; under-6s must use a child seat. France: cyclists under 12 must wear helmets. Italy: children under 13 cannot ride motorcycles; under-12s cannot ride e-bikes. For families traveling with young children, consider an e-bike cargo trailer (€25–40/day).
Q: What’s the most cost-effective way to buy insurance on BikesBooking? A: Buy full coverage (zero deductible) at the time of booking — around €8–15/day, which is 20–30% cheaper than buying on-site at pickup. BikesBooking’s insurance terms are clearly laid out; basic coverage typically carries a €500–1,500 deductible, meaning you’d pay that amount out of pocket for a minor scrape. Full coverage eliminates that exposure — a single minor collision repair (€300–800) would cost more than the insurance premium. If your credit card includes motorcycle collision coverage (some American Express and Chase Sapphire products do), you may not need to buy separately.
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