Despite living in the land of Fiat, Ferrari, and
Lamborghini, Italians purchased more bikes than cars last year – the first time
that's happened since World War II.
The chaos, congestion, and cobblestones can make cycling in
Italy a nerve-shattering affair.
But crazy drivers, swerving scooters, and gigantic potholes
have not stopped a renaissance in cycling, as the economic crisis forces
Italians to tighten their belts.
For the first time since the end of World War II, the number
of bicycles sold in Italy has overtaken the number of cars, according to new
figures from Confindustria, a manufacturers’ association. Italy may be home to
legendary brands such as Fiat, Ferrari, and Lamborghini, but 1,750,000 bikes
were bought last year, compared to 1,748,000 motor vehicles.