From Nyon to Yvoire by Bike and Back By Boat

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If you're looking for a cycling project and you live near Nyon then I would suggest taking the bike along the lake road from Nyon through Crans, Coppet, and beyond towards Geneva, and when you get to Geneva following the 46 signalisation for the cycling route. There are moments when it is not as clearly indicated but for the most part it is.

Cycle Path from Nyon to Geneva

The advantage of this route is that from Nyon to Geneva you are nicely seperated from traffic. For the most part the cycling path can also be used by pedestrians. On the weekend the cycle lanes are sometimes full of parked cars and pedestrians. On a weekday though the cycle lanes are free and practicable.

Chaotic Geneva

With the Geneva section it is more chaotic. You take the main road along the tramlines towards Cornavin, before eventually turning left to head towards the lake, and then across the bridge that leads to the Ile Rousseau before turning left and crossing into the park where pedestrians and other cyclists make the experience chaotic. If I was to redo this bike ride, knowing that I was going to take the boat back to Nyon I would take a route via the Grand Genève because they have made the cycling setup chaotic and dangerous.

In Geneva the cycle lane has cyclists, pedestrians and more. You also have trotinettes and people going at various speeds. The person I was riding with was almost collided into by someone not cycling with due care and attention. At another moment the cycle lane is thrown to the opposite side of a busy road without proper signalling. If you miss it you're heading straight into oncoming cyclists, and there is no escape as the road is busy and dangerous. I strongly believe that Geneva could do better.

After Escaping Geneva

After Genève-Plage the riding is slightly less chaotic, except for the moment where traffic leaving Geneva is kicked to the other side of the road with barely any warning. After this it finally gets better with us cycling along secondary roads where there was little to no traffic until Hermance. In Hermance you have a one kilometre climb but part way along it you can join a cycle route and follow it almost until Yvoire.

My recommendation

If I did this ride again I would head down towards the lake when I got to Perle du Lac and try to ride along the cycle lane that goes in front of the Palais Wilson, along the lake front. I would then cross the Pont du Mont Blanc through the Jardin Anglais, but rather than go along the chaotic lake route I would take small streets towards the top of Parc La Grange and head into the countryside that heads towards Hermance and Yvoire.

I drew a hypothetical route but I don't recommend following it too closely. Follow it until you find cycle paths, and follow them, to avoid the centre of Geneva, staying rural as much as possible as you make your way around Geneva. The Pont Butin is good for cyclists and then you can head down towards Geneva, towards Plainpalais. You can then head along Rue De La Croix-Rouge before heading towards Rive but rather than going down to the lake, stay up. There are some nice rural roads through the fields in the outskirts of Geneva that are pleasant to cycle along.

A few years ago I cycled from Geneva to Yvoire and went via the countryside, as much as possible, rather than the lake side and it was a nice experience. I need to find that route again.

The Boat Across

With the half fare the boat costs 8 CHF per person, and eight francs per bike, for a one way trip. This means 16 CHF per person. It's better to ask whether you can take the bike, just to be certain.

And Finally

Although my post may sound negative the experience is a positive one. From Nyon to Geneva the cycling paths are excellent. If you turn towards Perle du Lac and ride along the lake then the experience is more enjoyable than heading down the tram lines towards Cornavin. In theory you could even cycle through the quieter streets of Paquis to avoid the main road, until the Pont Du Mont blanc. When you cross the Jardin Anglais, slow down and enjoy the situation. When you're on the cycle lanes out of Geneva expect it to be a little more chaotic, as slower bikes, and pedestrians may get in the way. Expect to slow down through Geneva, to be safe.

When you're heading towards Collonge-Bellerive look for the 46 sign that tells you to cross the main road. By doing this you will simplify your life. I believe that the route is optimised to be ridden clockwise, rather than anti-clockwise. That's the next ride I should try.