Molly Ayala
Rome, also known as the Eternal City, is a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from all over the world thanks to its impressive monuments and archaeological remains. With its steep seven hills and limited parking spaces, Rome is the perfect city to get around on an electric scooter. Electric scooters are a fun and flexible way to explore the city, allowing you to zip around traffic jams and easily park to visit popular sites such as the Vatican, Trevi Fountain, Trastevere, and the Spanish Steps. In this guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know about renting an electric scooter in Rome, from downloading the right app to staying safe on the roads.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of e-scooters in Rome | 3000 |
| Companies offering e-scooters | Lime, Helbiz, Bird, Acciona, Cooltra, Barberini Scooters for Rent, Bici & Baci |
| Requirements to rent an e-scooter | Name, email address, phone number, home address, billing address, codice fiscale (if an Italian resident), payment method |
| Rental cost | Unlock fee (usually €1) + per-minute fee (a fraction of a euro) or fee based on distance or a combination of both |
| Minimum rental time | 30 minutes (Lime) |
| Minimum age limit | 14 or 18 |
| Driver's license required | No |
| Helmet required | Yes |
| Parking | Off the road, not blocking traffic on the sidewalk |
| Charging | At a designated charging spot or by plugging into any electric source |
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What You'll Learn
Where to find electric scooters in Rome
Electric scooters, or "monopattino" in Italian, are scattered all over Rome, from the city centre to the inner suburbs. They can be found on sidewalks, in parks, and on the streets.
The city of Rome has published a guide to encourage their use, but residents have complained about the haphazard way in which they are parked. In response, the city has introduced new off-limits parking areas, including in front of monuments and in prestigious areas such as Piazza Venezia, Piazza del Popolo, Piazza Trilussa, Via del Corso, Piazza Navona, the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, and the Pantheon.
To rent an electric scooter, you will need to download the operator's app and register with your personal details. The operators offering electric scooters in Rome include Bird, Dott, Helbiz, Keri, Lime, Link, Voi, Wire, Share Now, Enjoy, Jump, Ecooltra, Zigzag, Acciona, Superpedestrian, and Ridedott.
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How to use scooter rental apps
To rent an electric scooter in Rome, you must use the app specific to the scooter's operator. Popular operators in Rome include Lime, Helbiz, Bird, and Spin.
- Download the operator's app.
- Register with the app by providing your name, email address, phone number, and address (home and billing address for your credit card).
- Verify your email address and/or phone number.
- Provide a means of payment.
- Locate a nearby scooter through the app.
- Unlock the scooter using your smartphone.
- After your ride, park the scooter off the road, typically on the sidewalk, in a considerate and unobtrusive manner. Some apps require a final photograph of the scooter's parking location.
Scooter rental apps offer several benefits, such as no ownership costs, flexible routes, and smart features like real-time ride monitoring, GPS tracking, and payment integration. These apps are particularly attractive to those seeking a quick, economical, and hassle-free mode of transportation in congested urban areas.
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Scooter parking rules
Rome has relatively relaxed parking rules for scooters. In general, motorbikes can park for free unless you are in a paid-parking area. The city has few posted parking regulations, except for "Divieto di Sosta", which you will see on garage doors everywhere, meaning that parking in a driveway is not allowed.
Rome has designated scooter parking areas, visible by the white lines that set off individual scooter spaces. If a designated area is full, you can park adjacent to the official area, as close as possible, to indicate that you are trying to follow the rules.
Scooters can also be parked off the road, typically on the sidewalk, as long as it does not block traffic. If there is a clear sidewalk with one scooter, there is a reasonable chance that it is okay to park there. However, if there is a sidewalk full of scooters, you should feel free to join them, assuming there is enough space left for pedestrians.
In rural areas, you can park on the side of the road with no issues. It is also possible to park between two parked cars, as long as you leave enough space for the car drivers and passengers to enter and exit.
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Scooter rental costs
The cost of renting an electric scooter in Rome varies depending on the operator. Most electric scooter schemes in Rome have an unlock fee, which is usually €1, and then charge a fraction of a euro per minute. Some operators charge by distance, or a combination of distance and time.
The most expensive e-scooter service in Rome is Lime, which charges a €1 unlocking fee, and 25 cents per minute afterwards, with a minimum 30-minute rental period. This means that the lowest possible price for a single ride is €6. Other operators include Helbiz and Bird.
It is worth noting that some operators have a minimum age limit, usually 18 or 21, and some may require a valid driver's license and an international driving permit. It is always a good idea to check the requirements and pricing of the operator before renting.
In addition to the rental cost, it is important to consider the charging cost for electric scooters. Fully charging an electric scooter typically takes around three to six hours, depending on the type and size of the battery. While there are designated charging spots in Rome, it is also possible to charge the scooter by plugging it into any electric source.
Overall, renting an electric scooter in Rome can be a fun and convenient way to get around the city, but it is important to be mindful of the potential costs and requirements involved.
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Safety and legal requirements
Electric scooters, or "monopattino" in Italian, have become a common sight in Rome. While they may be a fun and convenient way to get around the city, there are some important safety and legal considerations to keep in mind before renting one.
Firstly, it is important to note that there have been several reports of accidents and injuries involving electric scooters in Rome. While helmets are recommended by the companies that operate these scooters, they are not mandatory, and many riders choose not to wear them. As a result, there have been a number of serious crashes, including one that hospitalised a pedestrian. Therefore, if you do choose to ride an electric scooter, it is highly advisable to wear a helmet to protect yourself in case of an accident.
In terms of legal requirements, the process of renting an electric scooter in Rome typically involves downloading and registering with a specific operator's app. This usually requires providing personal information such as your name, email address, phone number, and billing address. Some operators may also require you to be a certain age, such as 14 or 18 years old. However, it is important to note that no driver's license is required to operate an electric scooter in Rome, which may contribute to the safety concerns surrounding their use.
When riding an electric scooter in Rome, it is important to follow Italian traffic laws. While these scooters offer the convenience of navigating the city's busy streets, they are forbidden on motorways and in bus lanes. Additionally, if you plan to ride outside the city, keep in mind that only scooters up to 125cc are permitted; anything larger requires a motorcycle license.
Finally, when it comes to parking your electric scooter, be sure to park off the road, typically on the sidewalk. However, it is important to be considerate and avoid blocking traffic or obstructing pedestrians. Some apps may require you to take a photo of your parking spot to ensure correct parking.
By following these safety and legal guidelines, renting an electric scooter in Rome can be a safe and enjoyable way to explore the city.
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Frequently asked questions
You can rent an electric scooter in Rome by downloading the operator's app and registering with your name, email address, phone number, and address. You will then need to verify your information and provide a means of payment.
Some electric scooter rental companies in Rome include Lime, Helbiz, Bird, Acciona, Cooltra, Bici & Baci, and Barberini Scooters for Rent.
No, a driver's license is not required to rent an electric scooter in Rome. However, some operators may have a minimum age limit of 14 or 18 years old.
Most electric scooter schemes in Rome have an unlock fee of around €1, and then charge a fraction of a euro per minute, by distance, or a combination of both.
You should park your electric scooter off the road, typically on the sidewalk, in a designated spot for scooters. Be sure to park considerately and take a final photo of where you have parked to ensure you have done so correctly.
