When you rent a bicycle in Italy, do you get a helmet and bike lock?
 

We might rent bikes to explore downtown Bologna and Ferrara (and perhaps some other places). Are helmets and locks typically included, or should we bring our own?

Take your own helmet in any case - you know it fits, doesn't have nits and hasn't been in an accident.

Usually when we rent bikes overseas there is a lock provided, usually not a helmet.

Ditto. Plus, I like to wear my own helmet - who knows where the others have been...

be very careful with what you get given. I rented one when i was in Italy last year, and I got a real wreck. try before you buy! [ie make sure that it's properly adjusted, with the seat the right height, brakes that work, something that will actually go in a straight line, etc. etc.]

We rented bikes in Rimini, on the Adriatic cost, and we only got locks, without any helmets.