Scooter/Motorcycle Culture in Rome

It seems like a stereotype from old Hollywood films set in Italy, but the presence of automobiles with only two wheels is pervasive in Rome. Their constant presence is astounding to Americans (U.S.) who are accustomed to the grossly over-sized SUVs that populate highway traffic and even crowded streets in major urban centers. My fascination with this difference is what led me to choose scooter & motorcycle culture in Rome as a second theme to cover in this blog. Scooters & motorcycles are perfect for navigating the narrow streets and alleyways (and sometimes sidewalks) in the city, and it seems there are few restrictions (age, gender, socioeconomic class) on who can and does travel this way.