mopeds arent as bad as people make them out to be.

as long as you take precautions, dont let cars and buses push you off the road, you will be fine.

Don't know about Candolim..but you can hire them from by the fish market at Calangute. PMSL..they've got two new ones this year...bright red comfie saddles.....and still completely covered in the corrugated brown paper all over the frame!

yep, probably rented them from the same place. very cheap and had a great time on them. just to the side of the fish and veg market in calangute, not too far from candolim.
BOB

Yes, the place just outside Calangute market is the place to go to hire bicycles, and is cheap. If you are going to be here long term and want to buy one, you have to go to Panjim or Mapusa. Prices start at around Rs 2,500.

I am a long term cyclist in Goa. They're a great way to get around the main Candolim/Calangute/Baga area, especially on the back roads,as they're all flat. Also good for riding around the quieter roads to and from Anjuna (flat) or Vagator (hilly). Even better if you can make it as far as Morjim and Mandrem, though there is a steep hill in Siolim which you will have to walk up (most bicycles here don't have gears).

During the day, watch out for pedestrians as much as for cars and buses - the only time i have ever been knocked off it was by someone crossing the road without looking to see what was coming. At night it's a different matter, and you need to be very careful. Rented bicycles don't come with lights, though you can buy these in the cycle shops in Mapusa and Panjim. The roads are pretty busy and dangerous around the 7 to 8 pm "rush hour", though they're quieter again after around 9. Early mornings are best - cooler, more peaceful, less traffic.

I just wish that more poeple cycled, and less people hired scooters. And, with taxis charging so much these days, it saves you plenty of money as well as keeping you fit.

Good luck.

Phil

Only problem I had one year was when we were cycling to Anjuna...rounded the corner to be confronted with the rear view of the temple elephant!! LOL..I didn't know where to overtake it...or stop and WALK the cycle around it...(I chose the latter! LOL!)

See I would prefer to cycle, but obviously away from the heavy traffic - my only worry is I have no sense of direction!!!

Thanks for the info guys!!!

Road safety is non existant in Goa. My advice is do not hire a bicycle, the death rates on Goan roads are frightening. I 'm not saying you would be safer on a motor cycle or scooter, but a bicycle ... no way.
Check out the local news, theres death and destruction everyday on Goan roads. I hire a scooter but I am always very careful.
Be safe , be careful - hire an elephant ??

Oh no... maybe I'll just get a tuk tuk

Sounds like a much better idea, and definately safer then the mad taxi drivers.

I think safety depends on what you are used to. If you are used to cycling in traffic, then there is no reason not to do it in Goa. If you are not, then it is not a good place to learn. Same goes for riding a scooter/motorrbike - if you do it at home then fine, if not then don't do it here! I wouldn't suggest cycling on national highways, but as a way of getting around the beach areas, particularly the quieter northern beaches, it is hard to beat.

Bicycles around Morjim/Ashvem/Vagator/Anjuna great area for cycling. Also down South.... Benaulim, Varca etc... brillant in the morning when it's cool watching life go by.

Calangute, Baga, Candolim .... No way ..... Death wish on a bike!

Lets face it - its probably not much worse than walking down some of those roads

Can you hire bicycles in the South we are staying at Varca Beach

a lot of the hotels have thier own bycycles, which you can borrow or rent.
we went to "resort de goa" in varca about 10 years ago, and you could use thiers free. we had some great rides along the beach on the hard sand just above the water line!!! and it keeps you off the busy roads!
BOB