Can anyone recommend any moped rentals in Rome? Thanks very much!

I would recommend you have your life insurance policy up to date.

We rented from Bici & Baci. They are located at 5 Via del Viminale - less than a 5 min walk from Termini. They've been at the location for a couple of years at least as we've inquired on previous visits.

Basic rate including accident insurance for a 2 person scooter for the day was 60 Euro, but we ponied up an extra 10 Euro for full theft insurance. No problems with the moped and no hidden charges when we returned it. They have cheaper rates if you rent for longer periods.

Thanks for the info Maddy. Did you have any problems riding the scooter in the city during the day time? I heard traffic is really bad in Rome but I'm hoping to cruise around at night.
Thanks.

I'm going to agree with MarkY. It's more true than funny. Rome has alot of traffic and drivers are not patient nor forgiving. We saw a car run into a moped from behind at an intersection. The moped driver was okay but he did fall off and the impact was enough for his helmet to come off. Surprisingly, he did not confront the driver or anything like that and I have to wonder if these incidents are commonplace.

I was the passenger and my husband, who I must admit is a bit of a thrill-seeker, did the driving. I can tell you that he loved it. BUT...two important caveats: he has a motorcycle (doesn't ride all that often though), so he's comfortable with handling the moped, and he is used to city driving. If you aren't used to driving in traffic, I'd recommend against starting on a moped in Rome.

Rome traffic is hectic, but from what I saw, not very different from big-city driving anywhere else. Pretty congested most of the time, but really cars can't go that fast as there's just too much traffic. And the drivers there are used to having the mopeds buzzing around them. My husband and I were joking that if all those motorini suddenly started appearing in the midst of NYC traffic they'd be roadkill as drivers here just aren't as used to looking out for them.

Yes, there is less traffic at night and very little on Sunday. Those might be your best times.

With those cautions out of the way, if you decide to go ahead, I think you'll have a blast. We drove all over, and felt like we got to see far more in that one day than we did over the course of several days on other visits.
Plus you really feel like a temporary Roman in the thick of all the motorini.

Thanks all for the kind responses. I will take everything into consideration before making a recommendation to motorcyclist friend, who will be traveling with me. I think the pro definitely is being able to go to places much quickly but at the same time, I do want to come home safely!

Oh, my! Are you nuts. Those mopeds travel in packs in Rome. And the traffic is worse than anything I have ever seen. The first response to your question was the best--make sure your life insurance policy is paid up.

I saw a rider wipe out when I was there recently -- it's a sight that would give you pause.

I did not rent one, but during a visit to our Rome office some years ago, I noticed we had several Vespa's, used primarily to courier contracts and mail around Rome.

I had ridden the things in my youth and mentioned that I would like to use one to ride around Rome over the weekend. The office manager started flailing his arms, turned white and suggested that I save time and jump out a window to commit suicide that way, unstead of messing up one of his machines in the process.

To make a long story short, I pulled rank and took it for the weekend. I had a ball. . a little scary at first since the Roman auto drivers apparently can not see these things . . but once I realized they would run over me if given half a chance, I adjusted my driving to stay out of the way. I was brushed once by another bike, but otherwise the weekend was accident free.

I had a ball buzzing around Rome and by the second day, was driving just like the Romans do. All in all, I would just as soon see the sights on foot, but it was a nice one time experience!

Rich

I think the key to driving in Rome - or any other large city - is to be used to city rather than highway driving. If you're used to rapidy cutting in and out, ignoring lanes, passsing other cars with 6" to spare and faking out other drivers by reading their eye signals you'll be fine. If you're used to primarily hghway driving you may be very uncomfortable. One suggestion - get a little experience locally in a city on a rental - it will give you an idea of your comfort level.

I think you're mad - just crossing the road in Rome can be terrifying. Be aware that a red light does not necessarily mean 'stop' to a Roman driver (or any other Italian for that matter). I've seen even buses go straight through red lights.
Kay

My observation is that in Rome the lines down the middle of the street appear to be there for advisory purposes only.

I wonder if the same people who connect moped riding in Rome with the need for extra LIFE insurance...

...buy up a lot of LIFE insurance, for their children, when they do that most life-threatening thing of all...

... turn 16.

Best wishes,

Rex

Hi Bay,

Your motorcyclist friend might find it exciting, but if you will be a passenger, it will be terrifying.

i just got back and chickened out. now i regret it. but as far as i could tell, it looks hella fun. but hella scary as well. the car drivers are ruthless in how close they cut it.

night driving doesn't seem any better as the streets are packed well past midnight. i was hoping to try on a weekend.

as they say when in rome, do as the romans do...go for it. underwear check afterwards thouhg.