In my experience, Italian drivers are nuts, but cycling is much more popular/in the culture there so they are also more considerate of cyclists.
In Italy a car beeps at you as encouragement when you are going up a hill. They give proper clearance and don't drive like they are wearing a neck brace and blinkers.
In my experience, Italian drivers are nuts, but cycling is much more popular/in the culture there so they are also more considerate of cyclists.