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Last minute advice re: commuting in Rome, Italy and Lisbon, Portugal

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Last minute advice re: commuting in Rome, Italy and Lisbon, Portugal

Old 07-11-06, 11:10 AM
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Last minute advice re: commuting in Rome, Italy and Lisbon, Portugal

I've also posted this in the touring forum but really I'll be using my bike to commute to work and as transportation while in Rome.

I should have posted this earlier but I'm hoping to garner some quick suggestions about cycling in Rome and Lisbon. I will be working in Rome (rehearsing a play) for 1 1/2 weeks then off to Lisbon to perform. Any suggestions on riding in Rome. I've been to Italy a few times but never biked in Rome- I'm a very experienced urban cyclist (just spent a month living and riding in NYC and commute daily in the Boston area) but admit to finding Rome very intimidating. Lots of scooters and motorbikes but I've never noticed that many bicycles. I'm bringing a folder so I can pop it on subways and trains.

Any experiences or suggestions are welcome.
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Old 07-11-06, 11:25 AM
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When in Rome, do as the Romans do. What play are you doing?
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Old 07-11-06, 11:34 AM
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Originally Posted by jyossarian
When in Rome, do as the Romans do. What play are you doing?

It looks like most of the Romans ride motorcycles In the countryside the Italians ride more bikes.

I'm doing Ovid's Metamorphosis.

Our Lear sold out so we may bring it back to NYC. Maybe I'll see you there next time.
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Old 07-11-06, 11:42 AM
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I've been to Rome, but have no experience there on a bike. I did spend two weeks in Florence and used a bicycle. Rome is more narrow and congested, but I found that aspect of Florence to be an asset. It slows the cars down. Use public transport if you have to go through too many crazy areas, a folder is a great idea. Learn the alleys, they are the way to go, and snake absolutely everywhere. Boston and NYC are trials by fire themselves, you'll be fine and fluent in a whole new cornucopia of hand gestures 48 hours after the jet lag wears off.

--A
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Old 07-11-06, 11:42 AM
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I have never ridden a bike in Rome, but most of the streets there are cobble stones and the traffic is probably the most unorganised you will find. Other than that, there shouldn't be any problems (except for the heat and the tourists). You should keep your eyes open for less busy, paved sidestreets.
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Old 07-11-06, 11:49 AM
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Originally Posted by AllenG
you'll be fine and fluent in a whole new cornucopia of hand gestures 48 hours after the jet lag wears off.

--A

My sister gave me a great old book of Italian hand gestures and I've been practicing. Most of them are Sicilian but I'm sure the Romans will understand.
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Old 07-11-06, 12:11 PM
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I lived in florence for a year and got a super cheap beater bike to go two miles to school every day. With the exception of a motorino, I don't think there could have been a faster way to get there.
Watch out for cars and motorinos clogging the streets and if there are no cars or bikes, watch out for unorganized crowds. Some sidewalks will work but some of them are about a foot wide. The safest way I found to travel by bike is to try to stick close to other bikers. Watch out for the touristy areas because tourists there travel in huuuge packs that you will need a machete to cut through.
I remember how rampant bike theft was when I was there- It seemed like every bike on the road had been stolen and resold and stolen and resold at least a couple times in its life. Be careful if your foldy is nice
The underside-of-the-neck-backhand-flickoff is one of the rudest gestures you can do there, and "vafanculo" or "stronzo" are pretty strong words. Watch who you flip off, if the typical italian guy sees you insult his mama you are in serious trouble!
As a last resort, try a strong headbutt to the sternum... hehehe
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Old 07-11-06, 12:51 PM
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Good luck from a fellow Newtonian.
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Old 07-11-06, 01:05 PM
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i reckon boston and ny are good training grounds for roman traffic, but still..... don't remember seeing much commuting there other than short hop stuff through back streets... otherwise i think a sort of darwinian selection process has culled out the bikes and left only the loudest motorized vehicles of every imaginable shape, size, and speed...

EDIT: oh, and of course, the roads.... am pretty sure that there's a backlog of road repair work orders that has been accumulating since before the time of Christ....
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Old 07-11-06, 03:06 PM
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Originally Posted by e_a_olson
Good luck from a fellow Newtonian.

grazie!
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Old 07-15-06, 09:05 AM
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I've cycled in Lisbon, and elsewhere in Portugal. Second craziest most dangerous place I have ever cycled, the absolute worst being just outside it - the road from Lisbon to Estoril. I have also cycled the length and breadth of Manhattan, and it does not compare to Lisbon, honestly. NYC is a walk in the park compared to Lisbon. Depending on where you are going the road surfaces can be quite bad, lots of stuff dug up or falling apart, and in places cobbles. Also the drivers are _not used_ to cyclists at all and will pass very fast and very close. So be careful.

On the upside the airport is very near the centre, so if you are bringing your own bike it is very easy to cycle into the city (it's pretty much a straight line.) If you are not cycling in, watch out for the taxis, you can get ripped off. Better get a taxi voucher from the desk in the airport, anywhere in the city for €12 or so.

I have not cycled in Rome but if I recall from the last time I was there there seemed to be a few cyclists getting on OK with the traffic.

Enjoy your visit to Europe!
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