Cycling

The wind on your face, the independence in your feet, and the explosion of beauty in the scenery are just some of the reasons that lead thousands of cariocas, every day, to the streets of the city pedaling their bicycles. In Rio de Janeiro, ‘magrelas’ are more than a means of transportation, more than a sport. They are a way of life.

Image description: This is a photograph of a large group of cyclists gathered on a cycling track. The image shows a vast crowd of people on bicycles, occupying the central lane. On the left, we see cyclists in colorful uniforms, some wearing black helmets and others wearing yellow helmets. In the center, a cyclist in a blue shirt is in front, followed by another in an orange shirt. On the right, a cyclist in a blue and white shirt is interacting with other participants. In the background, there is a line of trees and palm trees, as well as electrical towers and a green fence. The sky is clear and blue, indicating a sunny day.

There is no official data on the arrival of the velocipede (as it was called at the time) in Rio, but newspaper records show that the first models were reportedly imported from France in the 1880s. They were used in competitions at sports clubs, famous for organizing footraces. The bicyclette already had a structure similar to today's models, with traction provided by chains on the rear wheel.

Cycling infiltrated the city as a sporting practice aligned with the ideals of progress and modernity imported from Europe, and, as with horse racing, money betting drew Rio's elite to the sport. The first space dedicated exclusively to cycling was created in 1892: the Velódromo Nacional, on Rua do Lavradio, soon followed by other velodromes scattered throughout the city. Also at the end of the 19th century, the first cycling societies emerged, and in 1897, the Bicyclette Club, in Quinta da Boa Vista, and the Velo-Club, in Praça da República, began their activities. The latter used the velodrome space for its activities and organized outdoor cycling tours, such as the grand procession of July 4, 1897, from Centro to Botafogo.

For decades, the bicycle would be a status symbol for high society, partly because of its high cost and partly because of the difficulty of riding outside sports clubs. Rio's streets, full of potholes and dangerous, were no match for the fragile European 'magrelas'. Over time, commercial-scale imports increased, along with the creation of stores specializing in repairing and reselling used bicycles. Prices began to fall, and the clubs themselves started renting out their 'magrelas' by the hour and offering cycling lessons, creating a new and vast audience for the sport.

Image description: This is a black-and-white photograph of a group of people gathered in front of a building. On the left side, several people are mounted on bicycles, while other onlookers stand in front of them. On the right, men dressed in suits are standing, some wearing hats. The building in the background has windows and a balcony.

Whether it's to get around the neighborhood, commute to and from work, enjoy the city's leisure areas, or exercise at Vista Chinesa, solitary cyclists and groups alike have made this sport one of the most closely associated with Rio. On Paquetá Island, where cars aren't welcome, the bicycle is the main means of transportation. Along the waterfront, organized groups ride together in the early hours of the morning (some naked!), and families on their bikes pack Parque Madureira every weekend.

The city's topography invites the practice of various two-wheel disciplines, such as Mountain Bike, road cycling, BMX, or even Freeride – one of the most extreme disciplines, which emerged less than 20 years ago and already has many followers. Enjoy the thrills of Freeride in this video from Canal OFF:

Rio has five Cycling Competition Protection Areas (APCC): the Pedro Nikolay circuit, seven kilometers long, in the Aterro do Flamengo; the Guilherme Paiva circuit, eight kilometers long, in Recreio dos Bandeirantes; and the "Marcos Hama Route," which is 11 kilometers long, opened in December 2019, in the Port Region. It's named in honor of cyclist and triathlete Marcos Hama, who was seriously injured on the Rio-Magé Highway in 2011 while training for the Iron Man. That's 26 kilometers dedicated to cyclist training, plus other trails with incredible views that only Rio can offer. Other smaller circuits include: the Danilo Diver Circuit — named in tribute to José Danilo da Silva, one of the main advocates for cyclist safety in the city, who passed away in 2020 due to Covid-19 —, approximately 2 kilometers long, on the internal road of Parque Madureira, in the Zona Norte of Rio de Janeiro. And the Ventania Circuit, inside the Deodoro Extreme Sports Park, on Estrada Marechal Alencastro, in the Ricardo de Albuquerque neighborhood, Zona Oeste of Rio de Janeiro. This was the first APCC in Rio to operate at night. Check out these options here, pick one, and go for it!