My parents were born and raised in Italy. They both used bicycles as their main mode of transportation over there, which was/is quite common in Europe.
After immigrating to the USA, my dad bought an Italian track bike and participated weekly in amateur races in Belle Isle in the Detroit area in the 1950's 1960's. He would also go back to Italy once every 3 years or so to visit family and he would referee in bike races in his home town. I give my father credit for my love of bicycling.

Here's an old photo of him on his bike:



Ciao