Naples

[MarkF]

First time ever, I've found a place where l can't cycle around.

Hilly, lava (?) fabricated large cobbles & driving + scootering that left me a gibbering wreck in half an hour! I've cycled in Barcelona & Palermo without issues but this is something else.

About 6 l decided it was time to give up, 2 kids (sans helmet) clipped my front wheel whilst passing me (no idea how it took so long), it was funny, l am sure the driver was no more than 8 years old!

 

[Julia9054]

Blimey! You're brave! Even walking in Naples is terrifying!

 

[mjr]

Not why they said "see Naples and die" but sounds like it could be! Glad you survived.

 

[uphillstruggler]

Just returned from Naples

You're mad for trying

 

[Blue Hills]

I think you might find rome a bit challenging as well mark.

 

[MarkF]

I think you might find rome a bit challenging as well mark.

I'll give it a go.

Just returned from Naples

You're mad for trying

Did you notice that all the Naples bike scheme stations were empty of bikes? I saw one fixie chained up outside a shop and that was it until yesterday, after a week of watching absolute bedlam on the roads and umpteen accidents (I was staying in the Spanish quarter) I ventured down to the seafront near Chiaia. In the cycle lane (separated from the road by a large kerb was a group of teenage riders, they all had helmets and hi-viz vests, and, had a police motorcycle escort front & rear, flashing lights, the lot.

 

[uphillstruggler]

I noticed that as long as you stick your hazards on, you can do what you like

It's a great place to sit in a little bar and watch the world go by

 

[Blue Hills]

You are on holiday cycling round the city Mark?

Seems a tad bizarre.

And must say I'm impressed by your guts.

I must get myself back to Naples but I don't thing I'd be pedalling around it.

 

[Blue Hills]

I noticed that as long as you stick your hazards on, you can do what you like

and if you leave your elderly mum in the car, park where you want.

And if driving her home for lunch mow anyone down on a zebra you like.

 

[robjh]

I've been to Naples 3 times and loved it, but haven't tried cycling there. I have driven round it in a motorhome though and quite enjoyed it.

 

[MarkF]

You are on holiday cycling round the city Mark?

Seems a tad bizarre.

And must say I'm impressed by your guts.

I must get myself back to Naples but I don't thing I'd be pedalling around it.

I usually take a spring break in Barcelona but this time plumped for Naples, I'd been told that they were similar and I suppose that they are. But for cycling, no way! Whereas BCN is super busy with traffic, the vehicles at least stop at red lights and at crossings, not so in Naples. You have to have balls of steel, step onto the crossing, then the vehicles may acknowledge your presence (on a pedestrian crossing with green lights to walk) and, if you are lucky, swerve around you!

Great city, loved it.

 

[Blue Hills]

Didn't you cycle out of town as well?

 

[MarkF]

Didn't you cycle out of town as well?

Rome's not too bad - Naples scares me sh*tless!

I was there to see the City and immediate surrounds, everywhere was just as bad, no car, no matter how new or expensive is dented and/or scraped, usually down both sides and on all four corners. I read that the mayor has spent a good few years on cycling initiatives, yet away from the short promenade bike lane, I didn't see one cyclist in the City, not even one cycle parked in the bike scheme parking zones and only one actual real bicycle!

I have been told that the the Amalfi coast is a great ride, but to do it out of season when the hotels shut.

I actually enjoy cycling around Barcelona but compared, Naples is complete bedlam, I am a non-helmet, none worrying rider, never thought I'd give up anywhere.

 

[Blue Hills]

Many southern italians aren't day to day cyclists mark. They have forgotten their history. Too concerned to look good/not poor in folks'eyes so it's the car or, alternativel, the full mamil gear. I know sardinia well. A lot of cycle lanes have arrived quite recently but there are very few cyclists using them. I would recommend sardinia for your next southern jaunt. Low season though.

Thanks for reawakening my determination to go to naples again - first time i went i remember being so forewarned of its reputation that i recoiled from an old lady trying to grab my arm for help getting over the road. Wary that it was a scam. A day or so later an old guy sat outside a bar appeared to ask me if i wanted a job on a ship. Wrote to some friends about this and on my return it turned out that they had developed a scenario where i had been sold into white slavery.

 

[Blue Hills]

Ps - i have heard folk say genova is somewhat alarming/tricky to cycle around.

Pps - would be nice to see a pic of your bike in naples. Did you take any? Did you take your own bike? If so what?