Bike to Work Day (Rome)

A day to change your habits

Bike to Work Day is not your typical festival; it is a day of civic mobilization that transforms the streets of Italian cities every September into a massive collective experiment. The concept is as simple as it is radical: for one day, you commute by bicycle. The event is promoted by FIAB (the Italian Environment and Bicycle Federation), which has been spearheading the initiative since 2015 as part of the European Mobility Week, the European Commission's campaign dedicated to sustainable urban mobility.

Bike to Work Day in Rome

In the Municipality of Rome, the capital of the Metropolitan City of Rome and the Lazio region, the event takes on a unique dimension. Rome is a complex city to navigate, characterized by long distances, heavy traffic, and a historically challenging relationship with cycling—which is precisely why the Roman Bike to Work Day carries such strong symbolic value. Initiatives are not concentrated in a single location but are spread across all municipal districts, research institutions, universities, and participating corporate offices. Over the years, organizations such as the CNR and various Roman universities have participated, with their respective Mobility Manager offices coordinating the efforts.

How it works

The mechanism is intentionally lighthearted and participatory. Each organization coordinates its own version of the day: some set up bike trains, where groups of cyclists follow a pre-planned route picking up colleagues along the way; others host welcome stations at office entrances with breakfast, mobile bike repair shops, and free mechanical checks; while others launch internal challenges, asking employees to log their kilometers on a dedicated form to award a symbolic prize to the most virtuous department.

• Commuter routes taken individually or in groups, meeting at the workplace
• Breakfasts and refreshment points offered to cyclists arriving by bike
• Mobile bike repair stations and advice on bicycle maintenance
• Office and department contests based on kilometers traveled and CO2 saved
• Meetings with Mobility Managers regarding mobility vouchers, cycling infrastructure, and road safety

Why choose the bicycle

FIAB supports the day with very concrete arguments. For distances under five kilometers, a bike is often faster than a car in urban traffic; the World Health Organization recognizes the benefits of daily cycling in reducing cardiovascular risk and obesity; and international research has measured a reduction in absenteeism among those who cycle regularly. Add to this the savings on fuel, parking, and maintenance, and, of course, the reduction in emissions in a city that has been dealing with air quality issues for decades.

The 2026 edition and Mobility Managers

The twelfth edition, scheduled for Friday, September 18, 2026, focuses specifically on the role of the corporate Mobility Manager. FIAB's stated goal is to encourage more companies to pursue Bike Friendly Company certification and join CIAB, the Club of Bicycle-Friendly Businesses. The date is indicative and not binding: many Roman organizations choose to host their event at a different time during European Mobility Week, which runs from September 16 to 22, 2026.

A widespread event

Anyone wishing to participate in Rome can check with their company's Mobility Manager or consult the national FIAB event calendar, where local chapters post meeting points and routes. Participation is free and open to anyone with a bicycle, whether standard or pedal-assisted. You don't need to be a trained athlete: Bike to Work Day was created precisely for those who have never tried it and want to discover that it is entirely doable.