Parking Roman Style

While I was in Italy, admiring the ease with which Rome, in particular, accepts the presence of scooters, the city of Toronto was going through more hand wringing over what to do about parking for scooters and motorcycles. As I've written before, the owners of two-wheeled vehicles enjoyed free parking on the streets and the sidewalks for several years. Then last spring the city decided it didn't like scooters and motorcycles on sidewalks; the police started ticketing scooters that weren't on the streets. The change of heart has certainly curtailed that sense of freedom we riders enjoyed so there were letters of complaints to council members and planned protests. But now, the latest "solution" being offered seems even worse. It also show no appreciation for scooters as a partial solution to traffic chaos and air pollution. What's being proposed is designated spaces - not a lot - a few hundred spread around the city- with the introduction of pay-by- plate fees later on.

There's no respect for the scooter in Toronto.

In Rome - and throughout Italy - the scooter is not  just seen as as a natural way of life but as a vehicle that deserves the utmost respect for keeping the streets moving.

There are designated spots in Rome too (and other cities) but there are lots of them and they are everywhere.

                                                                                   Copyright: Debi Goodwin

                                                                                 Copyright: Debi Goodwin

                                                                              Copyright: Debi Goodwin

                                                                             Copyright: Debi Goodwin

                                                                                  Copyright: Debi Goodwin

Free designated spots are the official way to park but no one seems to care when riders park in squares and in alleys even where there is no designation as long as they're not blocking driveways and entrances to building. That's respect.

                                                                                Copyright: Debi Goodwin

                                                                               
                                                                                 Copyright: Debi Goodwin

And scooters can often ride and park where cars aren't even allowed to go - in the limited traffic zones of some old cities for example....

                                                                                     
                                                                                   Copyright: Debi Goodwin

                                                                                  Copyright: Debi Goodwin
                                                             
...and on sea fronts. The picture below is from Santa Margherita di Ligure where it's almost impossible to find a place to park a car. But right on the harbour which no cars can enter, there are designated spots for scooters.

                                                                              Copyright: Debi Goodwin


Of course, Italy has had more than sixty years to figure all this out. And the narrow streets, warm weather, and often short commutes in Italy work to the scooter's favour. But still, surely there are lessons to be learned from the streets of Rome and the smallest villages. Let those who ride scooters, leaving more room for cars in parking lots and roads, using less gas, spewing less pollution, have a few rewards. C'mon Toronto. Show the scooter some Italian respect.