I had inquired before about renting Vespas to head out into the adjoining towns around Siena and was very heavily advised against doing so due to safety reason.
Someone in our group has now suggested renting Ebikes to do the same thing and I am wondering if the same concerns would be present for these?
A big concern cited for the Vespa rentals was if the renter wasn't a seasoned Vespa rider that could be most problematic. Also for traffic and roads with little or no shoulder. So, again, should the same concerns be present for an ebike ride/tour?
I've never been on an e-bike and I don't know if there are e-bike rentals in Siena. Safety concerns exist on any two wheeled vehicles. But I want you to know that Siena and the surrounding area is very hilly, with steep hills too, so I don't know how much power those e-bikes deliver on an uphill stretch.
A 125cc Vespa has enough power and also speed (my 125cc Vespa could easily pass 90km/h, or over 55mph). But as mentioned, if you don't have experience riding motorcycles, then you are taking a risk, I can't even count how many times I ended in a ditch with my motorcycles and Vespas in Italy, fortunately without serious injuries, but scraping the asphalt with your arse is not fun.
They do have a good amount of power. We rented them in Marseilles and it took us up some really steep hills. We joked that one person in our group, his ebike was 'whining' when going up the steep hill since he is the tallest of all of us. But it did the job.
Heed Roberto's advice. Then double the safety factor for ebikes. These are not hills, these are mountain roads with many curves, really switchbacks. You'd be riding blind 3/4 of the time.
Thanks for the input. The suggested route was from Siena to Monteriggioni, but I'm sure no matter where you are traveling, the story is the same.....
To Monteriggioni it's doable, even with a regular bike, just be careful, because the Via Cassia (SR 2) is a pretty busy 2 lane highway, a main road with no shoulders and no bike lane, therefore cars will be passing you very close to your side. But Italian drivers are used to bikers, therefore they will be careful. Just proceed in single line not next to each other. It's not wide enough for you to take the whole lane.
To Monteriggioni the hills are not that bad. It's downhill from downtown Siena (which is on a hill) then it's mostly flat, you could even do it with a regular bike. The last stretch from the SR2 to the town of Monteriggioni, is uphill, maybe a bit steep if you are not a fit biker, however it's so short that you could even walk your bikes if you can't pedal to the top.
Going back it's the reverse. It's uphill to get to the Siena historical center that's on top of the hill. It's not that steep though, and if you want you can go to the station at the bottom of the hill, then walk your bikes uphill for the last 1/2 mile.
The whole trip is about 10 miles each way. You can probably get there in 1 hour comfortably. By motorbike it's 15-20 min.
Ok, thanks again. Much to think about. As previously stated, we were thinking about Vespas, but were set straight on that. Then we moved on to renting a car to tool around in, now the Ebikes have been thrown out there....decisions, decisions.
I don't recommend motorscooters or motorbikes unless you ride one at home and therefore you are an experienced rider.
Ebikes are basically a bicycle with an electronically assisted motor to help with getting up hills. Not gas driven, battery operated 'motor', really just a hyped up bike. Just being sure it is clear what I am talking about. (Input much appreciated)
As one who has biked extensively in Tuscany, including into and out of Siena, I can attest to the hills, but also can attest to the courtesy drivers have throughout Tuscany (and for that matter, throughout Europe) for cyclists. Most of my rides have been through vineyards and on service roads, with some that were on more highly traveled roads. In all cases had no problems with cars/ trucks. Some hills, though, were another matter.
Some differing opinions to consider.....
There is more than one place where you can rent e-bikes. I found some below. The Italian formal word for e-bike is BICICLETTA CON PEDALATA ASSISTITA (bycicle with assisted pedaling), in case they don't understand English.
I think those would be safer that Vespas if you are not an experience motorcycle rider, especially the 125cc which have more power and can go fast. If they have 50cc motorscooters, they are more manageable than the 125cc if you are not an experienced rider.
http://www.e-bike-toscana.com/en/rental/
http://www.sienabyvespa.com/scooter-rental-in-tuscany/index.php/it/
http://www.dfbike.it/en/
Thank you!
To Roberto,
Just curious what has made you change your mind on this, or it seems that you have changed your mind since you are giving recommendations as to where to rent the ebikes.
I do really appreciate all of your input, it is invaluable!
I have never used e-bikes, but I can see they are like regular bikes with some extra help pedaling uphill. Since you are just going to Monteriggioni, then that is doable.
I've never changed my mind on motorcycles. Some people think that riding a Vespa is like riding a bicycle. It is not, it is like riding a motorbike and I don't recommend them in the Italian traffic to those who have never been on motorcycles before.