Rome, 12 December – In the land of Fiat, Ferrari and Lamborghini fewer people are buying cars than at any time since the 1970’s. More and more Italians are turning to the bicycle. Figures just released reveal that over 1,750,000 bikes were bought in Italy in 2011 compared to 1,748,000 motor vehicles. Of Italy’s 60 million people, 6.5 million ride a bike to work or school and 10.5 million use one occasionally. In the many towns we visit on our personally guided small group tours our travellers experience the local people using their bikes for their daily commuting for shopping, business or catching up with friends in the local piazza.