How to Say "Bike Ride" in French

balade à vélo

A 'bike ride' in French is balade à vélo.

The phrase refers to a leisurely trip made on a bicycle for pleasure or exercise.

What does it mean word for word?

The phrase is composed of balade, meaning stroll or walk and à vélo, meaning by or with bicycle.

While balade à vélo implies a leisurely stroll, the term course à vélo would be used to refer to a bicycle race.

To make the phrase plural, add an 's' to balade to get balades à vélo.

While balade à vélo is the standard term for a leisure ride, the word balade originates from a verb meaning 'to walk around', effectively describing a bike ride as a stroll on wheels.
The term vélo is actually a shortened version of the much longer word vélocipède, a term used for early bicycles that is now almost never used in conversation.
Using the word promenade to describe your ride can add a layer of traditional elegance, as it historically implies the act of 'showing oneself' in public.

As-tu envie d'une balade à vélo ?
Do you fancy going for a bike ride?
This sentence is useful for asking if someone fancies going for a balade à vélo.
Tatoeba #1308933 by sacredceltic, translation #1308746 by sundown
Pendant notre séjour à Paris, nous avons décidé de faire une balade à vélo le long de la Seine.
During our stay in Paris, we decided to take a bike ride along the Seine.
Les dimanches ensoleillés, j'aime faire du vélo dans la campagne.
On sunny Sundays, I enjoy going biking in the countryside.
Tu veux aller faire du vélo cet après-midi ?
Do you want to go for a bike ride this afternoon?
Les enfants font souvent du vélo dehors après l'école.
The children often go biking outside after school.
Ce week-end, on pourrait faire une virée à vélo dans les Montagnes Noires.
We could go on a bike ride to the Black Mountains this weekend.
Samedi prochain, nous allons faire du vélo en famille à travers le parc.
Next Saturday, we are going for a family bike ride through the park.
Une balade à vélo est très relaxante.
A bike ride is very relaxing.
Nous ferons une balade à vélo ce dimanche.
We will go for a bike ride this Sunday.
2 more sentences on Tatoeba

Two friends are planning their weekend activities in a cafe.

Manon

Hugo, tu veux faire une balade à vélo ?
Hugo, do you want to go for a bike ride?
Hugo

Oui, c'est une excellente idée, Manon.
Yes, that is an excellent idea, Manon.
Manon

On peut aller au parc.
We can go to the park.
Hugo

D'accord, on se voit demain alors.
Okay, see you tomorrow then.

Sources

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