julzieluv1

I only have two days and want to zip around the city quickly. I love to bicycle but don't want to end up hospitalized. Would it be better to rent a Vespa or could I possibly tour on bicycle even electric bike safely?

marvelousmouse

While there are bicycle tours in Rome, I'd say it's probably the least friendly (most terrifying) place I've ever visited in terms of biking. And I would think that getting the hang of where you can legally ride and park a Vespa would be tricky- even many of the locals don't fully understand the rules. Additionally, the crowds can be intense in the really popular spots and you wouldn't be "zipping" anywhere.

Wandering around on foot in Rome is glorious, and if there's any way you can add days, I would. 2 days in Rome is very little.

janisj

>>Would it be better to rent a Vespa or could I possibly tour on bicycle <<

NEITHER! Walk and use public transport.

julzieluv1

Dang! I was hoping I wouldn't have to take the shoe leather express.

quokka

It all depends what kind of traffic you are used to. We once had the same question, warned this person just like we warned you - and then he turned out to be from Mexico City and used to riding a scooter there. He will have had no problems in Rome, LOL.

Get a day pass for public transport, the buy the "Metrobus" map from the nearest newspaper stand, and use the public buses. This will save you a lot of walking.

StCirq

If you're coming from Singapore or India or Mexico and are used to insane traffic and heaving crowds of pedestrians and lack of traffic regulation, sure, you'll be fine. Otherwise, I would forget it if you value your life.

kleeblatt

You might want to consider taking a bike tour on the first day and then renting a bike afterwards.

Peter_S_Aus

I've done 25,000 km on my Vespa in Melbourne, Australia. I would not ride in Rome.

vincenzo32951

Great idea! Just be sure to check the terms of your health insurance and leave instructions about whether you want to be buried in Italy or have the body shipped back home.

bvlenci

I've seen some of those bike tours in Rome. They spend half their time walking the bikes, and the other half narrowly avoiding knocking over nuns.

massimop

When I stayed at the Princeps Boutique Hotel near the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore there was a place that rented Vespas to tourists right around the corner on the via Cavour. There were all kinds of young tourists of both sexes and various continents getting instructions and maps from the rental office, being shown the basics.

I've never heard of any serious injuries to tourists in Rome who rent Vespas, and this I'm sure is not the only place in Rome renting them to tourists. Before you accept the conclusions of people who would be too scared to do it, go check it out for yourself, or ask on a forum where retirees are in the minority, not the majority.