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But please have at least some knowledge of what you’re doing when you mount your rented scooter when traveling. My friend wasn’t so knowledgeable about its workings but kept quiet about her inexperience before confronting her low-powered scooter monster.
When we first arrived to Rome, and bore witness to the swarm of scooters Ciao-ing past us, we thought how cool and novel the idea of doing what the Romans do. So as our heads filled with the idea we didn’t bother to ask if the female in our group has ever ridden a scooter. We assumed that her excitement, and her only emotion towards the idea, was a clear sign that she knows how to ride.
But as soon as the man from the scooter rental place bid us farewell, we somehow ended up on a very busy highway and traffic had suddenly barreled behind us. So to get off the street we followed a road veering right onto a local street. But somehow the speeding bus, from the very busy street, followed us and stayed right on our asses as we were turning.
I passed my friend as we were turning and as I did I heard the crash of scooter metal, plastic and my human friend's flesh (ok, maybe not the latter). Stopping short, hearing nothing but wind, I saw her on the floor wearily getting up from the street with the bus stopped right behind.
Luckily the bus driver went to her aide instead of rolling over her. And fortunately all she sustained was a recurring nightmare and a bloody forearm.
Before you rent a scooter:
Ride one before or at least know where the brakes and acceleration are.
If there is a stationary basket in front (which is what our scooters had), understand that the handles still turn even if u don’t see the basket turning.
Wear a helmet.
Wear goggles (it always helps to keep bugs away from eyes)
Scooter are fast and are not like bicycles, they have engines
Don’t give into peer pressure. We will still think you are cool if you have never ridden a scooter, so speak up.
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