Bring a Razor Scooter to Italy or not?
 

Okay, I had this idea for our 6year old son to bring his scooter so he can scoot along while my wife and I walk along. You know, kids hate to walk and walk and walk, so this might be easier for all of us. I know some cobble stone streets are not scooter friendly. Anybody out there have an opinion about this crazy (smart?) idea? Thanking you in advance.

Nice thought, but roads are too tight and there's too many people to make it work. I think you'll be carrying it after half a block.

I can't speak for Italy, but we saw a lot of scooters in Paris last month. However, I'd be a little nervous about a six-year-old on a scooter, especially the way Italian drivers zoom around in the cities!

Sidewalks very narrow, hilly (depending on town), loaded with pedestrians and bumpy. Could be very dangerous. ALso there's motorscooters flying by at any given moment which might startle him. Keep the razor at home. Take breaks in between lots of walking. Don't expect to be able to do the same pace of site-seeing with a kid as without. Reward him with Gelato for a good day's work, do it twice a day if you have to.

Let him take the scooter if he lets you put him on a leash. Fair trade.

Cobblestones.

Robert,<BR><BR>Skip the scooter---for all the reasons the other posters listed.<BR><BR>We did see many children on scooters in Italy last week, but they were wearing helmets and riding them only on smooth surfaces where there was an absence of pedestrians.<BR><BR>We did see one little boy of about 5 or 6 go scooting off the macadam onto the cobblestones ---he took such a "header" that we were surprised he was even able to get up ---of course, he was screaming at the top of his lungs and had abrasions on both arms and legs.<BR><BR>I don't think you want to risk seeing the inside of an "Italian" Hospital Emergency Room.<BR>

I don't know what the last poster meant by putting quotation marks around the "Italian" in Italian Hospital Emergency Room, as we've had some experience with such emergency rooms, and they were far more efficient and expert than those in the USA (and the WHO rated Italy best health care in the world last year), but I certainly wouldn't let my kids bring a razor scooter to Italy except for use WAY out in the country. It's hard enough crossing the streets in some Italian cities when the kids are on foot!

Last September in Paris we watched a little kid trying to learn to ride a bicycle on the sidewalk while we sat with a coffee. He hit a bump and scraped two cars before falling headfirst into the street. Momma picked up the bicycle and him and hurried off looking over her shoulder. I think big cities with narrow sidewalks are not ideal for kids on scooters or bicycles.

Roadkill.............

Razor Scooters are on the way out in Italy ... they're the six-year-old equivalent of bowling shoes. If the kid wants to look like a native, he should bring a polo stick.

&lt;&lt; If the kid wants to look like a native, he should bring a polo stick.&gt;&gt;<BR><BR>Sorry, but I just have to ask ... You mean kids are riding polo ponies in Italy these days ? or did you mean a pogo stick ?<BR><BR>PB<BR>

Thanks everyone for your tips. I will not bring a scooter and I will not bring a polo stick and I will not end up in the hospital with my kid...all thanks to you. I may bring a leash, which was a great idea. (just kidding).<BR><BR>bobobobobobo