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Ah, the lowly moped in Rome. It is fair to say that this vehicle, more than any other, defines the lifestyle of a Roman. It is both fabulous. And, maddening. | |
| It is absolutely impossible to avoid them in Rome. It seems to this observer that there are more mopeds here than there are automobiles. They are an ingenious way to get around a city with narrow streets and too many cars. You see them weave in and out of traffic, between the cars, up on the sidewalk. And, on the narrow streets, they dart past you at breakneck speed, and you damn well better get out of their way. Sometimes you'll see a Roman combine two Italian traditions: driving the moped, while talking on the cell phone. Although they move as fast as cars, the people who ride them act, sometimes, as if they were on bicycles. They wear helmets. That's good. But, I see women on i motorini wearing skirts, fishnet stockings, and even sandals. This is particularly tricky, because they use their feet as if they were brakes. Can you imagine that? Driving a vehicle as fast as an automobile and hanging your foot out the door to use as a brake? My visiting aunt (remember The Zii?) declared that they should simply not allow mopeds to drive in the streets. I suggested that was like saying they shouldn't allow salmon in the Columbia River. This is Rome. And, mopeds ARE Roma. | ||