Bike Itaú's orange bikes, operated by Tembici, are at stations across Zona Sul and other parts of Rio. They're a good way to ride along the waterfront or around the Lagoa without relying on a car. You don't need to be a bank customer, but it's worth understanding the plans before you ride: each ride has a time limit and extra minutes are charged.
At a glance
- App: in Rio you use the Bike Itaú app, not the Tembici app.
- Open to everyone: according to Bike Itaú ↗, you don't need to be an Itaú customer.
- Plans in Rio: single ride from R$ 7.90 (15 minutes), Lazer plan from R$ 32.90 for 48 hours and monthly plan from R$ 43.90.
- R$ 20 hold: on some plans that amount is temporarily held on your credit card and released afterward.
- Hours in Rio: 5:00 to midnight.
Before you ride: app and account
According to Tembici's help center ↗, Rio is one of the cities that use the Bike Itaú app. To create an account you can sign in with Google or Apple, or with your email and a password. Then you choose a plan under "Comprar plano" and add a payment method.
The how-to page ↗ lists Mastercard, Visa, American Express, Diners Club, Hipercard and Elo credit and debit cards. We didn't find official information specific to cards issued outside Brazil: try signing up before the day you want to ride.
If you've used Tembici in Buenos Aires, Santiago or Bogotá, note that Tembici's help center ↗ says you need to create an account in each city's local program and buy a plan for that city.
Which plan to choose
According to Bike Itaú's Rio page ↗, accessed October 27, 2026:
| Plan | Price | What it includes | Extra minute (regular bike) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avulso | from R$ 7.90 | 1 ride of up to 15 minutes on a regular bike | R$ 0.50 |
| Lazer | from R$ 32.90 for 48 h | up to 4 rides per day (8 in total), 60 minutes on weekdays and up to 2 h on weekends | R$ 0.39 |
| Mensal | from R$ 43.90 per month | up to 4 rides per day, same duration | R$ 0.19 |
Each ride beyond those included costs R$ 7.90. The monthly plan renews automatically: if you buy it for a few days, turn off renewal in the app.
For a day out, the Lazer plan is usually the one that makes sense: with 60 minutes per ride (or 2 hours on weekends) you can ride long stretches and stop halfway. According to Tembici's help center, the plan is activated when you buy it, not when you take out your first bike.
The R$ 20 hold
On the Avulso and Lazer plans, Bike Itaú temporarily holds R$ 20 on your credit card to cover possible overages. It isn't a charge: if there are no extra fees, the hold is canceled and the amount released. The plan page says within 7 days; Tembici's help center ↗ says 1 day after the plan ends.
E-bikes
On the Avulso and Lazer plans, e-bikes are charged per minute from the first minute (R$ 0.90 and R$ 0.60, respectively). On the monthly plan there's an R$ 9.99 unlock fee. To avoid surprises, choose a regular bike.
Taking out and returning the bike
According to the how-to page ↗:
- Choose a bike in the app and tap "Desbloquear Bike."
- Scan the QR code on the handlebar or seat, or type the code on the sticker. One bike is unlocked per ride.
- Check the brakes, tires and seat height before you set off.
- To return it, find a station with free docks in the app (it doesn't have to be where you started) and push the bike into the dock until the green light comes on and you hear the signal.
If the station is full, look for another one nearby. If the bike doesn't lock, the ride keeps running and you may be charged: check in the app that the ride has ended. If the bike has a problem, return it within 2 minutes and that ride won't be charged.
Where to ride
The Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon waterfront and the loop around the Lagoa are the most comfortable routes for visitors. We explain how to plan the ride around Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, and what's at each beach in the beach guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use my Tembici account from home?
Not directly: according to Tembici's help center, you need to create an account in each city's local program and buy a plan for that city.
What happens if I go over the time limit?
Each extra minute is charged according to your plan. Check the time left in the app and return the bike at a nearby station before it runs out.
Are bikes available at night?
In Rio the system runs from 5:00 to midnight. To get back later, see other options in how to get around Rio.
Sources: Bike Itaú: Rio de Janeiro ↗, Tembici: how to use ↗ and Tembici's help center on creating an account ↗, charges ↗ and using other cities ↗, accessed October 27, 2026.