Le vélo is the most common way to say “bicycle” in French, and you'll hear it constantly. But French, a language rich with nuance and slang, has several other words for your two-wheeled friend.

As you explore France, perhaps on two wheels yourself, you'll want to know what to call your ride!

Let’s pedal through some common, technical, and slang ways to say “bicycle” in French!

1. The Standard 'Bicycle' – Le vélo

The most common, standard, and widely used word for 'bicycle' in French is le vélo. If you only learn one word for bike, this is the one you need.

Vélo is a masculine noun. This is very important for using the correct articles. You'll say un vélo (a bicycle) or le vélo (the bicycle). The plural form is simply des vélos or les vélos.

The word vélo is actually a shortened form of vélocipède, an older term for early bicycles. While you might encounter vélocipède in historical texts, vélo is the term used in all modern, everyday contexts.

Le vélo is a versatile term used in both formal and informal situations. It can refer to any kind of bicycle, from a racing bike (vélo de course) to a mountain bike (vélo tout terrain or VTT).

To talk about the action of riding a bike, the French most commonly use the expression faire du vélo. For example, « J'aime faire du vélo le dimanche. » (I like to ride my bike on Sundays).

You may also hear the word la bicyclette. It means the same thing, but it's considered a bit more old-fashioned or literary. While perfectly correct, le vélo is far more prevalent in contemporary spoken French. Note that bicyclette is a feminine noun.

💡 * Mon nouveau vélo est très rapide.

• Il va au travail à vélo tous les jours.
• Nous allons faire du vélo dans le parc cet après-midi.
• Où puis-je garer mon vélo ?
• Les enfants ont laissé leurs vélos dans le jardin.

The slightly more formal 'bicycle' – La bicyclette

While le vélo is the common, everyday word for 'bike' in French, you will also encounter its more formal and slightly dated counterpart: la bicyclette.

La bicyclette translates directly to 'bicycle' and often carries a more official, literary, or even nostalgic tone. It's the full, unabbreviated term, similar to using 'bicycle' instead of the more casual 'bike' in English.

You are far more likely to see la bicyclette in writing than to hear it in casual conversation. It appears on official signs (e.g., 'piste pour bicyclettes'), in classic literature, or might be used by older speakers. For daily chats, le vélo is almost always preferred.

For English learners, la bicyclette is an easy word to remember as it's a direct cognate. The structure 'bi-' (two) and '-cycle' (wheel) is identical, making it instantly recognizable even if you've never seen it before.

In short, use le vélo when you talk about your bike with friends. However, it's important to know la bicyclette so you can understand formal instructions, signs, and written texts. Think of vélo as spoken and bicyclette as written.

💡 * Le règlement interdit de garer sa bicyclette sur le trottoir.

• Mon grand-père m'a raconté des histoires de sa jeunesse à bicyclette.
• Le musée exposait une collection de bicyclettes anciennes.
• Le Tour de France est la plus célèbre des courses de bicyclettes.

The 'mountain bike' – Le VTT (Vélo Tout Terrain)

In French, a 'mountain bike' is called le VTT. This is an acronym that stands for Vélo Tout Terrain.

Breaking it down, Vélo Tout Terrain literally translates to 'all-terrain bike.' Vélo means 'bike,' tout means 'all,' and terrain means 'terrain' or 'ground.' This makes the term very descriptive and easy to remember.

While the full phrase Vélo Tout Terrain is understood, the acronym VTT is far more common in everyday conversation, just as 'mountain bike' is more common than 'all-terrain bicycle' in English.

Remember that VTT is a masculine noun. Therefore, you would say le VTT (the mountain bike) or un VTT (a mountain bike). The plural form is simply les VTT.

The common verb phrase used for the activity of mountain biking is faire du VTT. This literally means 'to do some mountain biking.'

💡 * J'adore faire du VTT le week-end. (I love to go mountain biking on the weekend.)

• Il a acheté un nouveau VTT pour son anniversaire. (He bought a new mountain bike for his birthday.)
• Les sentiers dans cette forêt sont parfaits pour le VTT. (The trails in this forest are perfect for mountain biking.)
• On va faire du VTT dans les montagnes cet été. (We are going mountain biking in the mountains this summer.)

The 'hybrid bike' – Le VTC (Vélo Tout Chemin)

The ‘hybrid bike’ – Le VTC (Vélo Tout Chemin)

VTC is the French acronym for Vélo Tout Chemin, which literally translates to 'all-road bike.' It is the direct equivalent of the English 'hybrid bike,' designed for versatility.

True to its name, a VTC is built for multiple surfaces. It's ideal for cycling on both paved city streets (la ville) and light, unpaved trails (les chemins), making it a popular choice for commuters and recreational riders.

It's important not to confuse a VTC with a VTT (Vélo Tout Terrain), which is a more rugged mountain bike. The VTC is the perfect intermediate option for mixed-terrain cycling.

💡 * J'ai acheté un VTC pour mes balades du week-end. (I bought a hybrid bike for my weekend rides.)

• Le VTC est idéal pour aller au travail et explorer les parcs. (The hybrid bike is ideal for going to work and exploring parks.)
• Pour ce chemin, un VTC est plus adapté qu'un vélo de route. (For this path, a hybrid bike is more suitable than a road bike.)
• Nous avons loué des VTC pour visiter la région. (We rented hybrid bikes to visit the region.)

The slang for 'bike' – Le biclou

A common and endearing slang term for a bicycle in French is le biclou.

Biclou is an informal word for un vélo (a bike). It's derived from the more formal term bicyclette and carries an affectionate, slightly old-fashioned tone.

This term belongs to the langage familier (informal language). While widely understood, it has a retro or vintage charm. It's often used to talk about a well-loved, perhaps slightly worn, bicycle.

Le biclou is a masculine noun. You would therefore say mon biclou for 'my bike' or un vieux biclou for 'an old bike'.

While vélo is the universal term, biclou is perfect for adding a touch of personality. It’s the difference between saying 'bicycle' and 'my trusty ride'. You'll hear it used affectionately among friends or family.

💡 * J'ai réparé mon vieux biclou ce week-end. (I repaired my old bike this weekend.)

• Allez, enfourche ton biclou et on y va ! (Come on, get on your bike and let's go!)
• Il a acheté un biclou d'occasion pour se déplacer en ville. (He bought a second-hand bike to get around town.)
• Fais attention, on pourrait te voler ton biclou si tu ne l'attaches pas. (Be careful, your bike could get stolen if you don't lock it up.)

The informal 'bike' (or 'motorbike') – La bécane

If you're looking for a casual, slightly old-school way to say 'bike' in French, la bécane is the perfect word. It’s a versatile slang term that covers both bicycles and motorbikes, much like its English equivalent.

The primary meaning of la bécane is simply 'bike.' What makes it useful and common is its ambiguity. Just as 'bike' in English can refer to a bicycle or a motorcycle, la bécane carries the same dual meaning. Context is everything; if someone is wearing full leathers, they're probably not talking about a ten-speed.

This isn't brand-new, cutting-edge slang. La bécane is a well-established, familiar term that has been around for a while. It carries an affectionate, informal, and sometimes slightly worn-in connotation. You might use it to talk about your trusty old bicycle or a powerful motorcycle.

You'll hear la bécane in everyday, relaxed conversations. It's the kind of word you'd use with friends, not in a formal business email. While the standard, neutral terms are le vélo (bicycle) and la moto (motorbike), using la bécane shows a comfortable grasp of informal French.

💡 * J'ai laissé ma bécane au garage pour une révision. (I left my bike at the shop for a check-up.)

• Il a traversé la ville sur sa vieille bécane pour venir me voir. (He crossed the city on his old bike to come see me.)
• Quelle belle bécane ! Elle doit coûter une fortune. (What a beautiful bike/motorbike! It must have cost a fortune.)
• Fais attention, ma bécane n'a plus de freins. (Be careful, my bike has no brakes.)

The poetic 'little queen' – La petite reine

The phrase la petite reine is a charming and poetic French nickname for the bicycle.

Literally translating to 'the little queen,' this term is often used in a literary or journalistic context, especially when talking about cycling as a sport, most famously the Tour de France. It evokes a sense of affection and admiration for the bicycle.

While most French people will understand this expression, the common, everyday word for a bike is un vélo. La petite reine is reserved for more evocative or formal writing and speech, adding a touch of flair.

💡 * Le Tour de France est le royaume de la petite reine. (The Tour de France is the kingdom of the 'little queen'/bicycle.)

• Il a une passion pour la petite reine et collectionne les vélos anciens. (He has a passion for the 'little queen' and collects old bicycles.)
• Chaque week-end, il parcourt des kilomètres sur sa petite reine. (Every weekend, he travels for miles on his 'little queen'.)

1. The general 'two-wheeler' – Le deux-roues

The general 'two-wheeler' – Le deux-roues

The term le deux-roues is a versatile and common French expression that literally translates to 'the two-wheeler.' It serves as a general category for any vehicle that has two wheels.

This broad term is incredibly useful because it encompasses a wide range of vehicles, including a bicycle (un vélo), a moped or scooter (un scooter), and a motorcycle (une moto). If you're not sure of the specific type or want to speak generally, deux-roues is the perfect word.

You'll frequently encounter deux-roues in discussions about urban mobility, traffic laws, or parking. For example, news reports might discuss new regulations for les deux-roues in a city, or a person might say they prefer this mode of transport to avoid traffic jams.

💡 * En ville, le deux-roues est souvent plus rapide que la voiture.

• Il y a une voie réservée pour les deux-roues sur cette avenue.
• J'ai acheté un deux-roues électrique pour aller au travail.
• Attention aux angles morts quand vous êtes à côté d'un deux-roues.

1. French Slang for an Old Bike: Un Clou

The French word un clou literally translates to 'a nail'. However, in everyday slang, it takes on a completely different meaning, especially when you're talking about something with wheels. It's a classic example of how a simple object can become a colorful descriptor in informal language.

In slang, un clou refers to a rickety, old, beat-up vehicle. It's most commonly used for an old bicycle (un vélo) that looks like it's seen better days. You can think of it as the French equivalent of calling a bike 'a rust bucket,' 'a clunker,' or 'a piece of junk'.

Using un clou is informal and slightly pejorative. It implies that the vehicle is in poor condition, barely functional, and not worth much. You would use it to describe a bike that's falling apart, not a cherished vintage model.

While strongly associated with bicycles, the term un clou is also frequently used to describe a clunker of a car (une voiture). The context will typically make it obvious whether the 'nail' in question is a bike or a car.

💡 * Je dois aller au travail avec ce vieux clou, mon vélo neuf est en réparation. (I have to go to work with this old clunker, my new bike is being repaired.)

• Il a honte de sa voiture, il dit que c'est un clou. (He's ashamed of his car, he says it's a piece of junk.)
• Comment tu arrives à monter la colline avec ce clou ? (How do you manage to get up the hill with that old wreck?)
• On m'a volé mon vélo, mais ce n'était qu'un clou, alors ce n'est pas si grave. (My bike was stolen, but it was just a rust bucket, so it's not a big deal.)

Are there other ways to say 'bicycle' in French?

So, are there other ways to say “bicycle” in French?

Our list features the most common and essential ways to say “bicycle” in French, like vélo and bicyclette. But the French language, with its rich history and regional diversity, offers several other interesting terms you might encounter.

You can discover more regional or slang terms by doing an online search for “argot pour vélo” (slang for bicycle) or “comment dire vélo au Québec” to find words specific to certain Francophone areas.

When you find a new synonym like bécane or petite reine, try to see it used in context. This will help you understand if it’s informal, poetic, or a bit old-fashioned before you use it yourself.

Pay attention when you watch, read, or listen to things in French, especially coverage of cycling events like the Tour de France. You’ll be surprised by the rich vocabulary that surrounds this beloved pastime.

And if you’re looking for more vocabulary related to cycling—from the parts of a bike to the verbs for riding—the WordReference or Larousse dictionary entries for vélo are excellent places to start.

I hope this guide has been helpful. Learning these different terms is part of the fun of diving deeper into the French language and culture. Now, it's time to get on your vélo and enjoy the ride! Bonne route!