• Italy News
  • Italian politics
  • Books on Italy
  • Travel
    • Italy Travel Links
  • Italian food
    • Italian Wine
  • Good Italian Things
  • Italy
    • Italian music
    • Art
    • Life in Italy
    • Italians
    • Italian Design
    • Language
    • Events
    • Milan
    • Speeding fines
  • Property for Sale
  • Home
  • Most Read
  • Shop
    • Alex Roe’s Photography
  • About
    • Blog View
    • Contribute
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Links
  • Contact
  • Privacy Centre
    • Privacy Preferences
      • Privacy – Complaints
      • Privacy – Data Rectification
      • Privacy – Right to be forgotten
      • Privacy – Copy of Data
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookies

Italy Chronicles

The Italy You Don't Know

You are here: Home / Italy News / Italians Turn from Horse to Pedal Power

Italians Turn from Horse to Pedal Power

October 2, 2012 by Alex Roe

Sales of bicycles in Italy exceeded those of cars in 2011 during which 1,750,000 bikes were sold compared to 1,748,143 cars.

Rocketing fuel prices and congestion charge systems may be to blame for what may be the beginning of the end of the Italian love affair with four wheels.  Finding car parking spots in Italy’s major cities may have something to do with it as well.  Then there is the eye-watering cost of car insurance.

Four wheels cost lots more to buy and to run than two wheels.  In times of crisis, instead of shelling out €20,000 for a car, Italians opting to spending €200 on a bike, and saving themselves boat loads of cash in the process.

Italy’s environment will be thankful too, as bikes cause no pollution.  They are also much quieter.

I get around Milan by bike
My Olmo – I get around Milan by bike

Yes, bikes are green whereas cars are not.  Yes, I am a cycling fan – that’s my bike in the photo.

For Italians living in big cities, bicycles make a lot of sense, at least during Italy’s spring, summer and autumn.  Move further south in Italy and bikes can be used more or less all year round.

When transport for the whole family is needed, there is the train or the plane, and, if a car becomes really necessary, it can be shared or rented.

While bikes are sufficient for the majority of trips for city dwellers, those who live in the midst of Italy’s countryside or on the side of Italy’s many mountains will have to stick with four wheels for the moment.

Many people do not really need cars.  Indeed, many cars here in Milan seem to spend most of the day lining local pavements and not being used for getting around.  Even when they are, trips in town are generally very short.

Maybe cars should be banned from cities totally, or as near as is possible.  Turning from horse to pedal power has a lot of advantages – for city dwellers.

More reading in Italian: La vendita di bici supera quella di auto in Italia

Note: Italy Chronicles may earn an affiliate commission if you purchase something through links in articles on this website. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Recently Added

An example of Milan's architecture - The red topped UniCredit Tower

Explore Milan’s Architecture with this Book

Visit Florence and see the magnificent Ponte Vecchio

Where to Get Trenitalia Tickets for Your Tour of Italy

Read More on Italy Chronicles

  • Learning Italian?
  • Autumn and Winter Food
  • Good Italian Things
  • Italian News
  • Italy How to’s
  • Images of Italy
  • Italian Wine
FacebooktwitterredditpinterestmailFacebooktwitterredditpinterestmail

Filed Under: Italy News Tagged With: life

You are logged in. Thank you for subscribing.
Thank you for subscribing
Previous article: Has Mario Monti Cornered the Rats?
Next article: Inspired by the Colors of Tuscany: Alessandro Bonaccorsi

The Latest on Italy Chronicles

  • Explore Milan’s Architecture with this Book October 24, 2019
  • Where to Get Trenitalia Tickets for Your Tour of Italy January 10, 2019
  • Frangelico – Have You Tried it? If not, do. December 17, 2018

Antiques on ebay USA

International Money Transfer

Compare & Save up to 5% on your Currency Transfer! Get a Quote Now!

Follow ItalyChronicles.com

Italy Chronicles – facts, news, events and expat life in Italy

Italy Chronicles
on Google+

Copyright © 2021 · Lifestyle Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Menu
  • Italy News
  • Italian politics
  • Books on Italy
  • Travel
    ▲
    • Italy Travel Links
  • Italian food
    ▲
    • Italian Wine
  • Good Italian Things
  • Italy
    ▲
    • Italian music
    • Art
    • Life in Italy
    • Italians
    • Italian Design
    • Language
    • Events
    • Milan
    • Speeding fines
  • Property for Sale