Cycling in Reykjavik

In Reykjavik, nothing is really far apart. If you just want to explore the city for a while, a bicycle is a great choice. In recent years, a lot has been done for cyclists here. New bike paths are constantly being created. Unlike many large cities in Germany, the capital of Iceland promotes mutual consideration among road users. If you don’t mind the constant ups and downs—the hills, I mean—you can leisurely experience the city’s sights in two to three days.

For a quieter experience or a touch of nature in the city, you should explore the small valley of Elliðaárdalur by bike. The 10 km around the valley can be easily completed, and it’s also a lovely, relaxing walk to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. The paths lead along the river Elliðaá (which is one of the few salmon rivers that runs right through a city; fishing is allowed here during the season with a paid license) past rapids, a waterfall, an old farm (yes, right in the city) with many animals, and back through a small forest. (Here’s an overview of the bike paths in the capital.)

Where can I get a bike?

Reykjavik Bike Tours (directly at the Old Harbor, Ægisgarður 7, Tel.: 694 8956, daily 9 AM - 5 PM) offers not only "regular" bikes but also tandems, e-bikes, and Segways. From here, you can book a guided bike tour of the city.

• BikeRental (Faxafen 8, 108 Reykjavik, Tel.: +354 5889890)
• Borgahjól (Hverfisgata 50, 101 Reykjavik, Tel.: +354 5515653, Mon-Fri 8 AM - 6 PM)

Since the end of September 2019, Reykjavik has introduced Hopp e-scooters, which you can book and unlock using a corresponding app. These little speedsters are now visibly present in the city center. The same rules apply to riding e-scooters as for cycling. If there’s no bike path, you should ride on the sidewalk with consideration for pedestrians. The trendy scooters can reach a maximum speed of 25 km/h. And yes, there are already city tours available on e-scooters. Hopp also offers car-sharing services. Another e-scooter provider is Zolo.

If you don’t want to explore the city alone, you can join a guided bike tour along the city’s sights. For those seeking a rougher experience, you can explore the Reykjanes Peninsula on a fat bike or ride through the nearby Heiðmörk Nature Reserve on a mountain bike. There’s also a fat bike tour at Lake Myvatn, but that’s a bit further away. (Here’s an overview of more options for exploring Iceland by bike.)

By the way, everyone who travels to Iceland hears about the need to dress for the quick weather changes and always have weatherproof clothing ready. This is especially true for cycling! And if you’re riding outside the city, keep in mind that there are hardly any hard shoulders on the country roads, and cyclists are quite unusual for Icelanders. Always be cautious!