- Great place!
- Nice place!
- Ok place.
Tim Maia Bike Road
Female opinion
There are many awesome bike roads in Rio, but Tim Maia road (also know as the bike road of Avenida Niemeyer) is the most picturesque of all. Splendid ocean view, dramatic rocks under your feet, many beautiful villas on hilltops. You will see the contrasts of Vidigal neighborhood: 5-star Sheraton on one side and slum houses on the other. Whether you are walking or riding a bike, the best sights are guaranteed.
Male opinion
This bike road is a must, if you can´t find a bike, walk. Below the passage you see the endless ocean relentlessly pushing the breaking waves to crash the rocks 30 meters beneath you. Starting from the end of the most expensive and upscale Leblon beach, passing Vidigal hip-favela, it takes you to Sao Conrado beach, where people from Latin Americas largest favela, Rochinha, go to cool off in the dirty water. Do not swim there and stay alert.
UPDATE! Unfortunately you have to skip part of this attraction for now, as on April 21 2016 (3 months after its opening) a big wave broke part of the bike road. Read more here: http://g1.globo.com/rio-de-janeiro/noticia/2016/04/parte-da-ciclovia-desaba-em-sao-conrado-zona-sul-do-rio.html
In October 2016 the second part of the road (Sao Conrado-Barra) was opened, but the first part (Leblon-Sao Conrado) remains closed.
The new coastal bike path, finished at the beginning of 2016 after 1.5 years of construction, is 4 km long and connects Leblon with Sao Conrado. Ciclovia Tim Maia was named after internationally famous Brazilian musician and songwriter Tim Maia. He was the one who brought soul style to Brazilian popular music. Tim Maia is especially loved and remembered for his song "Do Leme ao Pontal" dedicated to the wonderful beaches of Cidade Maravilhosa.
In October 2016 the city finished the construction of the second part of the bike road - from Sao Conrado and Barra da Tijuca. At the same time the first part of the road is still closed for public, because of the wave crash. Hopefully soon Leme will be finally connected with Pontal by a continious bike road with no interruptions. It's the city's tribute to honor the great singer.
Tips for ciclovia Tim Maia
- Don´t have a bike? Use Itau RioBike system, which allows you to get and return a bike from over hundred stations around the city. Read more about how to get Itau bicycle in Rio de Janeiro.
- If you are not a keen biker, just go for a walk or a jog. Many people (if not even majority) use the bike road without a bike.
- During traffic jams a bicycle ride is faster than going by bus or car, take advantage of it.
- If you just want to ride one way, then starting from Leblon is better option. You will have a long decent at the end and can leave the bike in RioBike station on Sao Conrado beach.
- Going back from Sao Conrado without a bike, is best by taxi or Uber, as the buses don´t stop on the beach and the bus station is hard to find. Let the driver put you down at Mirante do Leblon, where you can have a beer or cold coconut and enjoy a marvellous view over Ipanema beach. After that stroll down the Leblon and Ipanema beach promenade.
Tim Maia bike road safety
In general the bike path has many people and is safe to use. There have been occurances of robberies during the evenings, when the road is more empty. Do not use the road after sunset, the proximity of Vidigal and Rocinha favelas make it dangerous during dark hours.
Song related to Tim Maia bike road:
Quick facts
Type: street
Touristic: yes
Getting there: easy
Minimal transport: walk
Length: 4 km
Difficulty: easy
Cost: free
Other names: Ciclovia Tim Maia, Ciclovia Niemeyer, Tim Maia bike road, Avenida Niemeyer bike road
How to get there
Address: Mirante do Leblon
Hood: Leblon, Vidigal, Sao Conrado, Barra da Tijuca
GPS: 22°59'24.4"S 43°13'39.9"W
From Ipanema, General Osorio:
1. Walk down to Ipanema beach and continue towards Leblon.
2. In the end of Leblon beach turn left, continue up the hill.
3. The bike road starts from Mirante do Leblon.
