Ok guys. Who can help me find a bike in Sao Paulo?

[jmgorman]

I'm heading to Sao Paulo for a long week and should have more time than I need there. Doesn't look like I'll be leaving town, so I figure the best way to see the most of the city that I can is to bike. Yes, I know, dangerous, etc (por trafego, pr criminosos), but would still like to see what I can do. Anyone know anyone or have any ideas?

[vertical_doug]

Ask the concierge at your hotel. A quality one will send you in the right direction.

[GonaSovereign]

Ditto on the concierge answer.

Thay said, I've ridden in a lot of cities around the world and would probably not ride there. I was São Paolo for work a few weeks ago, and when I had time on my hands, I walked or used Uber.

The only cyclists I noted were those farting around in Ibirapuera (the big park) and some road riders on the highway (like Delhi, it's the safest place for road riding).

I'm not saying no, but there are likely better alternatives.

[jmgorman]

I guess as an update, I've just gone with the local BikeSampa bikeshare bikes. When the stations actually work, it's a brilliant system with coverage almost everywhere I've been. If I don't get it back to a station within an hour, it's fewer than $2/hr until I can. I'm managing to find most of the separated bike lanes and Sunday was fantastic with lanes on big avenues and entire elevated highways set aside to non-motorized transport. They even had volunteers at every crossing, making sure that cross traffic (and cyclists) stopped. On a few occasions I've had to ride on a larger, faster street, but within a few blocks was usually able to join with another cyclist or two for an informal convoy. Everyone has warned me how dangerous it is, but honestly, I don't feel any more at risk than I felt riding in any US city before 2010.

I did find, on Saturday, a shop selling used bikes, but like everything else they were really overpriced. They wanted $500 for a 1980s gas-pipe 10 speed made into a sweet fixie (and that's what was printed on the tag, not just what they told me it would cost). In any event, BikeSampa is working for me and I definitely recommend it for any cyclists looking to get around town.

[Brandon White]

I guess as an update, I've just gone with the local BikeSampa bikeshare bikes. When the stations actually work, it's a brilliant system with coverage almost everywhere I've been. If I don't get it back to a station within an hour, it's fewer than $2/hr until I can. I'm managing to find most of the separated bike lanes and Sunday was fantastic with lanes on big avenues and entire elevated highways set aside to non-motorized transport. They even had volunteers at every crossing, making sure that cross traffic (and cyclists) stopped. On a few occasions I've had to ride on a larger, faster street, but within a few blocks was usually able to join with another cyclist or two for an informal convoy. Everyone has warned me how dangerous it is, but honestly, I don't feel any more at risk than I felt riding in any US city before 2010.

I did find, on Saturday, a shop selling used bikes, but like everything else they were really overpriced. They wanted $500 for a 1980s gas-pipe 10 speed made into a sweet fixie (and that's what was printed on the tag, not just what they told me it would cost). In any event, BikeSampa is working for me and I definitely recommend it for any cyclists looking to get around town.

When people say dangerous, they probably mean drivers who don't care about you, but are also talking about assaults while you are sitting at traffic lights. It's well documented - people will just take what they want when they want it. Don't show you have a wallet, phone, any valuables, etc. People won't even use their phones in their car or taxis because motos will come up and hold you at gun point for them. Be careful - use caution - don't expect to have the right of way, ever.