Hi. I am going to be taking a day trip to Rome while in Europe, and have head a lot about traveling by scooter. Has anyone done this? If so, can you drive on sidewalks, or just the road. And also, what are the roads like there? What side do they drive on? Thanks for the help!

No, I have not done it. I use the bus system when in Rome and find it excellent.

No, You cannot drive on the sidewalk. Pedestrians use the sidewalks.

Italy, like the rest of western europe outside the British isles drive on the righthand side of the road, just like the US.

Roads are ok - what is confusing is the traffic patterns and apparent lack of any obvious lanes as you you go through big looping intersections around squares or monuments. It's not as organized as driving to the mall in suburban US, but it's not as chaotic as some would make it out to be.

Highly dangerous!

Excellent idea. Italians are very sporting. Sidewalks are open to negotiation. It would be better if you waited to take your first scooter ride until you get to Rome; it will be so much more exciting. Remember: traffic signals and "rules" are only suggestions in Italy -- you can go wild!

Look out for a copy of a book called 'Zoom with a view'. I have as yet to find a copy, but I have read that it is a good read.
A tale about an American taking an extended Vespa holiday in Italy.

You can preview some videos of Roman traffic on Youtube.com

We plan on taking our day trip on a Tuesday in March. Any thoughts on traffic on these days? Is the traffic really so crazy as it appears on You Tube vidoes? Any suggestions if we decide to rent scooters for the day?

You mention you are taking a day trip TO Rome. From where are you coming? What are you interested in seeing in Rome? How long will you be there?

That would help us to give you better advice.

Don;t even think about it.

And NO - how could you drive on the sidewalk? Where would the pedestrians go?

You're on the road with the cars. Rome has very few traffic lights and most intersections are run on the chicken principle. If you're not brave you won;t get more than a block or two.

And unless you've very experienced on a scooter (which the sidewalk question assures me you're not) you'd best have your insurance paid up.

Two words...road kill

Ridiculous naysayers. Get out there and do it. No helmet, no gloves, no map, no idea.

This ad paid for by the Committee to Lower Tourism in Rome.

Fra Diavolo, are you sure that this ad isn't paid for by the Association of Rome's Undertakers and/or Rome's transplantation clinic?

OP (original poster) I hope you have a sense of humor!! Because I have had a good giggle reading this! OK guys, how about a segway tour?

LOL. That was pretty funny! I think we'll probably decide against the scooters in favor of walking or the Metro!

Walking is find as long as you don't attempt to cross a street.

icithecat
"Look out for a copy of a book called 'Zoom with a view"

I may be confusing this with another book, but I think you may be referring to "Vroom with a view" by Peter Moore.

He is an Australian who buys a 40 year old Vespa in Milan and tries to ride down to Naples. It is a very entertaining book, and was partly responsible for me buying a scooter. One day I may pluck up enough courage to try and ride in Italy.

Two notes of caution to the OP.
As stated Italian scooter riding is part skill, part dark art. I might take long rides out on quiet Tuscan roads, but I really would not risk it in Rome.
The second is that scooter hire is, in my experience, very expensive. In some places hiring a small car for the day is cheaper than renting a 50cc scooter.

Depending on where you are going, you may want to use the buses instead of Metro system. The metro circles the main historic area and buses are usually more convenient
Good call to use public transportation rather than trying a scooter!

Hi nd,

Based on your questions, I suggest that, unless you are planning to kill yourself, you do not hire a scooter for your day in Rome.

What is the rest of your itinerary that you can spare only 1 day for Rome?

Hi ira,

The rest of my itinerary consists of six days in London with a class I am taking. We only had one free day to travel outside of the country and decided that Rome would be awesome; you know, Colosseum, Pantheon, Vatican. I would love to spend more time there, but it is just not possible. We are arriving on the earliest flight and leaving on the latest.